SO-EN was founded during the early 1960s when entrepreneurs Bun Hiok and Josefina Chua recognized the need for reliable, high-quality, and affordable underwear designed specifically for Filipina women. Starting with only a small sewing operation consisting of two sewing machines and two workers, the company steadily expanded through consistent product quality and growing consumer trust. [1]

The manufacturing business was formally organized as SO-EN Garments Corporation in 1974, strengthening its production capabilities and allowing the company to diversify into additional clothing categories. Over the following decades, SO-EN became a household name across the Philippines through department stores, specialty outlets, wholesalers, and its own retail network. [2]

SO-EN operates under two related manufacturing companies:

• Josefina Manufacturing Incorporated (JMI) – producer of the SO-EN Lingerie brand.

• SO-EN Garments Corporation – manufacturer and distributor of multiple clothing brands including ready-to-wear apparel, baby clothing, and men’s basics. [1]

The company is headquartered in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, and remains privately owned. [2]

SO-EN offers a broad range of apparel products, including:

Women’s Lingerie

• Panties

• Brassieres

• Camisoles

• Slips

• Sleepwear

• Everyday intimate apparel

Ready-to-Wear

• Dresses

• Blouses

• T-shirts

• Casual clothing

• Loungewear

Men’s Apparel

Through OMNI by SO-EN, the company produces:

• Briefs

• Boxer shorts

• Undershirts

• Athletic supporters

• Basic essentials

Baby Clothing

Under BeBe by SO-EN, products include:

• Baby bodysuits

• Pajamas

• Tie-side shirts

• Mittens

• Shorts

• Cotton infant wear

Additional Lingerie

The company also markets Lovelily Lingerie, offering affordable women’s intimate apparel. [2]

SO-EN Garments Corporation manages several brands:

• SO-EN Lingerie

• SO-EN RTW (Ready-to-Wear)

• OMNI by SO-EN

• BeBe by SO-EN

• Lovelily Lingerie [2]

SO-EN manufactures its products in the Philippines and emphasizes:

• Local production

• Quality control

• Product durability

• Comfortable fabrics

• Affordable pricing

The company has modernized its manufacturing processes over the years and has invested in research, machinery, and production standards. It also reported achieving ISO 9000 Quality Management certification during the 2000s. [2]

SO-EN is one of the Philippines’ longest-running and most recognized lingerie brands. According to the company, it has:

• More than 300 direct retail outlets

• Over 1,000 wholesale customers

• Distribution throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao

• Export markets including the United States, Canada, and the Middle East [2]

SO-EN positions itself as a heritage Filipino brand focused on:

• Comfort

• Reliability

• Everyday practicality

• Value for money

• Consistent quality

Its products are designed primarily for daily wear rather than luxury fashion, helping the brand maintain broad appeal across multiple generations of Filipino consumers. [1]

For more than six decades, SO-EN has become a staple in many Filipino households. Generations of consumers have associated the brand with dependable everyday underwear and basic clothing, making it one of the country’s most enduring names in the local apparel industry. The company continues to expand its product offerings while emphasizing its Filipino heritage and commitment to accessible, high-quality clothing. [1]

1. Who We Are – SO-EN

2. SO-EN Garments Corporation – Company Profile