Diamonds are her best friends

Dr. Becky Leogardo is one of Malaysia’s most glamorous socialites and charity benefactors. She is also founder of its fastest growing cosmetics success. Lorraine Chandler met her in her new offices in Dubai

“I’ve just met the richest Filipina woman in Malaysia, and you should see the size of her diamonds,” gasped Gloria Arroyo, president of the Philippines, after meeting Dr. Becky M. Leogardo, honorary Princess of Lanao Del Sur (Philippines), and the face behind Malaysia’s hottest cosmetic success story, BML.

Whether the description is completely true or not, Dr. Leogardo has a lot to be proud of. One of Malaysia’s best known and most glamorous socialites and charity benefactors, she is also founder of the country’s fastest growing cosmetics company. She is now set to take the Middle East by storm, with the launch of a full range of skincare products, including unique creams made from gold leaves.

When I met her in her newly opened Dubai offices, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew that she had expensive designer tastes, and that she had friends in many Asian royal families, so I discarded my shabby jeans for a decent (if not quite designer) suit. I had also heard about her extensive charity donations, so I hastily pinned on a pink ribbon.

But I didn’t know that she strongly dislikes being interviewed. She started our meeting with a friendly warning story about another journalist who had ‘exaggerated’ details about Dr. Leogardo in an article, and was subsequently almost blacklisted. She told the story with a light giggle and friendly smile, but my brain registered the message: ‘You have been warned.’ I swiftly got my pencil out to ensure accurate note-taking.

Diamonds and designers

I was soon dazzled not just by her smile, but by her diamonds, which she assured me were only a small sample of her collection. As others might collect stamps or postcards, she prefers unique designer gowns and accessories, and the jewellery to match.

“I go to Paris two or three times a year just to buy designer clothes,” she confides. “I just adore Escada, and Louis Vuitton for bags ... and I certainly can’t resist beautiful shoes and diamonds! I love Escada so much that I own the only Escada gown in the world worn by Naomi Campbell. The dress was used for the worldwide launch of Sentiment, but when the perfume was launched in Malaysia, I’m afraid they couldn’t use the dress. It was already in my wardrobe!”

She confesses that she attends three or four high-profile parties every week, and that her best friends rank among the royal and the rich. She recently attended the wedding of the Princess of Cambodia, while she is also on close terms with the Queen of All Queens of Malaysia. She graced a recent cover of Tatler Malaysia, and was among a select gathering at the launch of the Hilton Kuala Lumpur. While she cannot hide a child-like glee in the company she keeps, her excitement is infectious.

“When Julio Iglesias was supposed to come to Malaysia, I was asked to give him a presentation on stage, but since he didn’t come, I can only assume he heard about me and changed his mind!” she laughs unself-consciously.

Princess of Charity

A former cabinet minister’s wife, Dr. Leogardo was made an ‘Honorary Princess of Lanao Del Sur’, a title held only by two others, for her contribution to Philippine society. While her glamorous lifestyle might lead to comparisons with Princess Diana, she herself declares, “My wish is to be like a much younger and living, modern version of Mother Teresa!” After a very quick moment’s thought, she adds, “but, of course, not barefoot, and not without my diamonds!”

Her charity work spans countries across Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and India. Known to have donated millions of ringgit to worthy causes, she particularly supports charities involving children, and has helped to build classrooms and schools in Malaysia. She also supports MAKNA, the Malaysian National Cancer Council.

“I make candles as a hobby,” she adds modestly, “so I donated over 330 candles to MAKNA to help them raise funds.

“I really like to help people. When I first started the business in Malaysia, I said to myself that my business would be good. I also promised to part with some of my good fortune to help the less fortunate. Now that BML is well established, I have a bit more time to get involved in charities. Also, from every sale, we donate a certain amount to charity.”

While her glamorous lifestyle and good work might liken her to some personalities past and present, her business experience identifies her as not just a pretty face and big heart.

Born into a family of entrepreneurs, she earned a business degree at the early age of 19. She was successful in a number of fields before setting her mind on the competitive world of cosmetics and becoming a certified cosmetologist.

A cosmetics fairy story

Like any good fairy story, Dr. Leogardo’s business success lies in the background of a family secret. Her uncle had been working in the US for some years manufacturing creams and lotions for companies like Revlon and Max Factor. Always interested in beauty, Dr Leogardo had been using some special formulations of his.

In 1994, she visited Malaysia and decided she really liked it and wanted to settle there. “I thought that I would set up a company for ballroom dancing or manpower. However, soon my friends began to admire my skin because it was so light and smooth, and they asked me what make-up I used. I said, ‘ What make-up?! I’m not using any make-up!’ So then when they heard about these creams and lotions, they begged me to bring them to Malaysia. I discussed it with my family, and that was the beginning of Excellent Combination, and the brand BML.”

While she is humble about BML and claims to have fallen into cosmetics by chance, the products were an instant success and quickly became the most widely distributed cosmetic products in Malaysia. The annual sales in Malaysia alone are around Dh20 million to Dh25 million. The range has become such a household name that Dr Leogardo claims that even the youngest child in Malaysia could tell you their slogan; ‘To look beautiful is the birthright of everyone.’

When asked about the secret behind BML’s success, she simply states that the products eliminate the need for foundation, and simplify a woman’s beauty routine. “The most basic step to beauty is great skin, and that’s the principle behind BML.”

UAE launch at Burj Al Arab

Dr Leogardo visited Dubai for the first time last April, but almost immediately decided to open an office here. “Although I had travelled to almost 40 countries, this was the only place that I said, ‘Yes, I’m going to do business here’. Of course, it might have had something to do with the fact that I spent my first four nights here in the Burj Al Arab ...” She mentions similarities to Malaysia, and adds that even the cosmetics ads in magazines remind her of ‘home’.

She plans to unveil the full range of products at the Burj Al Arab in April, but in the meantime is building up a rapport with customers.

Gold leaves

The most sensational range being launched is ALEXA, which includes actual gold leaf, and is sure to appeal to the UAE’s crème de la crème. Named after her 12-year old daughter Alexis, the exclusive brand is endorsed by former Miss Universe and Filipino beauty queen Gloria Diaz.

The products include gold-tinged leaves from the gingko biloba tree, and promise