Ekyat Cuadra: Beauty the Japanese way

Opening four skin and body centers at the same time might seem reckless, especially if one hasn’t done it before, but Cristina “Ekyat” Ledesma Cuadra felt it was the right way to launch. She wanted to be where her clients were and spare them the effort of commuting. So Ekyat decided to have a Mariko Tokyo branch in Greenhills, another in Makati, and one each in Pasay and Mandaluyong. Her criteria for locations were specific and she did not want to compromise.

Planning took a year; proposals to attract investors, finding the right sites, designing the treatment centers, ordering equipment, choosing logos, the face of Mariko and staff occupied Ekyat, who monitored all the developments from her hometown in Bacolod. The distance is better for her business, she says, because employees take the initiative to make decisions and offer her solutions.

Marketing is one of her fortes. Since Mariko Tokyo’s first client had the first facial jet peel in February 2011, the publicity our bachelorette has generated has created curiosity about what it means to use Japanese technology to beautify skin. 

Ekyat’s previous employment in Citibank, Bacolod, her stint as a tour guide in the Negros Museum and her present work managing a condominium in Bacolod showed her the importance of reaching the right audience when marketing one’s product. Here, the 5’5” beauty consultant reflects on frozen yogurt, belief in oneself and Indian spiritual teachings.

One of my goals this year is to introduce Mariko Tokyo to the Philippines. We use Japanese techniques, procedures and formulas approved by the US FDA that perfectly suit your skin, body needs and your budget!

My personal style signifier is what I call my “killer shades” and a watch. I feel naked without my killer shades. I wear it during the day or as a headband, but I’m comfortable without it at sundown. As for my watch, I’m not at ease without it. I’m particular about time, a stickler for punctuality. I always check the time, even for no apparent reason.

What makes me happy are the simple things that God shares with us like my coffee every morning, seeing Spikey, my Christmas pine tree, grow each day; getting the food or dessert that I craved for that day like a pint of frozen yogurt that I can finish in one sitting; making someone smile; knowing that many people care about me and knowing my friends are happy, too.

Skin deep: Ekyat observes one of her staff doing a wax treatment.

One fear of mine is… Deep waters scare me. I fear sharks that lurk in the dark. I like to explore the ocean; it’s just that I’m scared of its deep and dark secrets. I also fear wiggling worms and leeches. I scream when I find one crawling on me!

A quality that I have been working to address is to believe in myself. I believe that you should believe in your dream, do something about it. Don’t just sit around and daydream about it.

The last thing I bought and loved was a black T-shirt that I bought in Universal Studios, Singapore. I met someone special the night I was wearing that shirt and I haven’t worn it again since.

The thing I’m hoping to buy next for Mariko would be more machines, although we are already up to speed with the latest technology. For my personal thing, I’m planning to buy toys for kids at my favorite charity institution. I haven’t been with them for the past four years and I’m sure they’re all grown up now. I think this year is the right time to do it.

If I had to limit my travels to one city, I’d like to go back and spend some time in Singapore. As for the Philippines, I’ve always loved long, out-of-town drives to the south of Negros.

The best gift I have given recently is a pair of earrings I gave a friend.

And the best one I’ve received recently is the opportunity to bring Mariko Tokyo to the Philippines.

In my fridge you’ll always find yogurt, soy milk, mozzarella, fruits, veggies, raspberry jam, and chocolates.

I am proud of Filipinos. I am proud to be one of them. I am proud of the Philippines.

My style icon is Coco Chanel.

In school, I learned that learning does not start and end in school. I learned that opportunity knocks once. If it knocks twice, you’re the luckiest person on earth. I learned that extraordinary things only happen to extraordinary people and anyone can be extraordinary.

After being in business, I realized that business is not just about capital and income … after you sweat blood and pour your heart into it, I realized that it’s my life.

My talents include cooking, baking and fashion designing, to name a few.

The sports I do the most are swimming, mountaineering, and biking.

The last time I cried was when my relationship with my boyfriend ended.

Good advice I have received is from the four principles of Indian spiritual teachings: “Whomsoever you encounter is the right one. Whatever happened is the only thing that could have happened. Each moment in which something begins is the right moment. What is over is over.”

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E-mail: aurorawilson@gmail.com