Photographed by Renzo Navarro for the December 2024/January 2025 Issue of Vogue Man Philippines
For Michael Concepcion, family is more than just a support system; it is the very heart of his life journey.
As the rest of the city slowly stirs awake, Michael Concepcion has already settled into the most cherished part of his day. At dawn, he finds himself in the kitchen alongside his daughter Noa and his wife Mari. “We’re up at 6 every day, no fail, as Noa gets up extra early,” he shares. “I make coffee with her; it’s our little routine, and then I head to the gym before going to my office.” It’s these simple routines that anchor him before the whirlwind of managing niche lifestyle brands like Commonwealth, Carhartt, Aesop, and a host of other ventures in the hospitality and service industries.
Managing one business in itself already brings about its own challenges, but for someone who stands at the helm of these global brands, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of it all. Despite this, he makes it a point to always be back home for dinner. “I didn’t think much of it growing up, but now that I have my own family, I see how significant it actually was,” he says. “Sitting down together each night brings us back and gives my daughter something she really looks forward to. It’s a small thing, but it makes a huge difference for all of us.”
With the birth of his first child, Michael has seen himself become more reflective of his own upbringing. He remembers days spent in offices and around family members who grew industries from the ground up, and have turned small startups into nationwide organizations.
His grandfather, the late Jose “Joe” Santos Concepcion Jr. along with his twin, Raul “Ronnie” Concepcion, built their family name into one recognized by every household; the former being among the co-founders of NAMFREL (National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections) during the 1986 snap elections, and the latter having steered Concepcion Industries into the industrial powerhouse it is today. Meanwhile, his father, John Concepcion, led Standard Hospitality Group to grow a portfolio of restaurants in the Philippines, which included Yabu, Ippudo, Mighty Quinn, and Elephant Grounds.
Looking back, Michael knew that his entrepreneurial instincts weren’t solely inherited; they were shaped. The mentorship he received from his father and grandfather came in the form of questions each time he and his sisters stepped out to eat at a restaurant or shop for new things. Oftentimes, his dad would ask him: “What could they be doing better? Why does this need to exist? And what space are they serving?” These interviews may sound intense for the young Michael Concepcion, but according to him, “that was just our household.” “[My dad] taught us to think strategically and be analytical, to question everything, and see not only how we could improve on what existed but also what could be created.”
But Michael also embraced the opportunity to make something that felt entirely separate from his family. “While their legacy is part of my story, I don’t feel defined by it,” he shares. “I focus on living up to the goals and dreams I set for myself.”
Fashion was a path that he carved for himself. As a teenager, he resold sneakers online and created t-shirt lines. In 2011, Michael’s family came in full support of his first venture; an eyewear store that paid tribute to his grandfather. “It was my small way of recognizing them and keeping their spirit alive through my work,” he says of Ronnie and Joe, the shop that eponymously bears their names. The concept store hinted at what was to come: minimalist interiors, carefully curated finds, and the cultish appeal that would define Michael’s future ventures.
Five years later, he would be the first to bring Commonwealth to the Philippines, an American-based sneaker and streetwear store, which housed a mix of labels that included the likes of A.P.C., Neighborhood, Human Made, and Fear of God. At the time, the boutique served as one of the first meccas for sneakerheads in the country, with monthly raffles and sneaker drops from coveted brand collaborations.
The success of both Ronnie and Joe and Commonwealth helped steer Michael to a new vision, which was to bring Manila closer to the regional powerhouses overseas. “We noticed our friends traveling abroad to visit these stores and bring products back home, and we wanted to provide that same level of experience in Manila,” he explains. “We saw an underserved gap in the market and felt we could be the ones to introduce these concepts.”
Through his retail company, Welcome Worldwide, he’s curated a portfolio of international names by introducing Adidas Originals, Aesop, and, most recently, American workwear label Carhartt.
“Right now, I’m just glad that my portfolio has grown into what it is and that I can use it to open even more doors for myself,” he reflects. “My wife often has to remind me to take a step back and appreciate it all.” Through the constant demands of business, it’s his family that keeps him grounded. Now, as he steps into a new chapter, he’s focusing less on recognition and more on the everyday moments he shares with them. Guided by his father’s words, Michael is intent on passing down one lesson: “There’s something special about building something real, something that not only holds personal value, but can also support you. That’s the dream: to just create.”
By GABRIEL YAP. Photographs by RENZO NAVARRO. Vogue Man Editor DANYL GENECIRAN.
Producer: Julian Rodriguez. Fashion Writer: Gabriel Yap. Photographer’s Assistant: Dom Pamatmat. Digital: Myc Priestley.
