Long before she became the face behind a flourishing diamond jewelry brand, Engr. Charo Cordial was a young girl helping her family in the rice fields of Albay, where hardship became her greatest teacher.

Recalling those difficult years, Cordial said, “Sobrang hirap po talaga… Yung itlog, para dumami, ginagawang sinabawan ng nanay ko para magkasya sa aming magkakapatid.”

She carried that determination into adulthood, earning a degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering before spending 15 years working in the agricultural industry.

Looking back on her unexpected career shift, she said, “Hindi nila akalain na mapupunta ako sa ganitong industriya… Ang katabi ko noon mga kalabaw. Dito talaga ako tinadhana.”

The COVID-19 pandemic became the turning point that changed her life. What started as casual online live selling while confined at home eventually opened the door to the jewelry business.

“Naboring lang ako sa apat na sulok ng bahay. Gusto ko lang may kausap, kaya nag-live selling ako… Naisip ko yung alahas—ang liit lang niya ipa-ship,” she shared.

A breakthrough came when a supplier trusted her with millions of pesos worth of diamond jewelry on consignment. With no capital of her own, Cordial relied on hard work, determination, and the confidence that she could deliver.

Today, MADDOX Jewelry has grown with a mission of making genuine diamond jewelry more accessible to ordinary Filipinos.

“Ang vision namin is maging super affordable yung diamond luxury sa lahat ng Pilipino. Gusto namin ipakita na merong diamond jewelry na puwede ring bilhin ng mga ordinaryong tao—na kaya pala namin, hindi lang pang-millions o pang-alta,” she said.

Her ambition extends beyond the local market as she hopes to establish the Philippines as a recognized name in the global diamond industry.

“Gusto ko rin makilala ang Pilipinas sa diamond jewelry sa buong mundo,” Cordial said. “Ngayon, nakakatuwa na pag sinabing Philippines sa international trade, nagugulat ang mga suppliers na marami palang nakaka-appreciate ng diamond jewelry sa atin.”

Reflecting on the lessons she has learned, Cordial encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace setbacks instead of fearing them.

“Huwag silang matakot magkamali. Sa lahat ng pagkakamali, doon tayo matututo. Importante tumayo ka ulit. Mahalin mo yung ginagawa mo, mahalin mo yung mga empleyado at customers mo, at magbigay ka pabalik.”

For Cordial, the gemstone she built her business around perfectly reflects her own story.

“A diamond symbolizes strength and resilience. Parang babae—nafo-form tayo because of the pressure, at habang tumatagal, lalong kumikinang.”