Michael Cris
Sordilla 

The Heart of It All: Michael’s Family Life

Born Michael Cris Sordilla, Michael has always led a simple life, grounded life. Taking on the role of breadwinner in the family at an early age, he had always embraced the responsibility of taking care of his five siblings.

Raised by a single mother, he has often spoken with quiet pride about how she carried the weight of their family with strength and grace. In his own way, he did the same—taking odd jobs, selling what he could, and doing whatever was necessary to support his younger siblings’ education. In his tight-knit family life, he developed his sense of responsibility, resilience, and compassion–qualities that would later define not just his personal values, but also his leadership style.

Entrepreneur on a Mission: Michael’s Business History

Michael founded Innocentrix Philippines in 2018 as a one-person operation with a quiet vision and a lot of drive.

In its earliest stage, Innocentrix worked as a small publishing outfit, partnering with a US-based company. Though its beginnings were modest, Michael believed the business had a more meaningful purpose

When the pandemic reshaped how the world worked, Michael adapted quickly. He leaned into remote work solutions and saw an opportunity to create jobs at a time when many were losing theirs. This period marked the real turning point for Innocentrix, as the company rapidly expanded its workforce and operational scope soon after.

As the business evolved, Michael began launching other ventures under a growing umbrella. He founded several more companies specializing in the construction, tourism, and entertainment industry. Although these subsidiaries spanned various industries, to Michael, Innocentrix was the company that started it all, and the one closest to his heart.

Commitment Beyond Office Walls

In 2017, Michael co-founded an organization alongside Bryan. It was essentially a choir that did not just function as a musical group, but as a community anchored in faith and service.

The choir initially served Catholic masses, weddings, and community gatherings, bringing music to some of life’s most meaningful moments. But over time, their purpose grew. It became more than a group of singers—it became a platform for outreach. Each year, they organized charitable activities in response to local disasters, offering support to fire and typhoon victims across Cebu.

Michael brought that same spirit of compassion into his company culture at Innocentrix Philippines. He encouraged employee-volunteers to join the choir’s missions, turning simple acts of giving into team-wide efforts.

One of their most recent outreach activities took them to the Missionaries of the Poor, a home for the elderly, where they distributed goods and spent time with residents. The year before, they brought aid to fire-affected communities in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City, and Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City—always choosing to show up where help was needed most.

The Pageant Visionary

Michael’s passion for meaningful service led him to the world of pageantry, where he saw more than stage lights and titles—he saw a powerful platform for advocacy. In 2022, he began serving as a pageant judge, traveling across the Philippines and gaining first hand insight into how pageantry could highlight culture, empower youth, and build communities. That journey culminated in 2023 when he acquired Hiyas ng Pilipinas and assumed its chairmanship.

Under his leadership, the pageant evolved into a foundation rooted in service. Through programs like the Hiyas ng Pilipinas Scholars Program, the organization began supporting underprivileged students with access to higher education. They also ramped up community outreach, from distributing aid in disaster-stricken areas to organizing local visits where reigning queens joined efforts in health and education drives. For Michael, pageantry became a channel for purpose—where the crown was no longer just a symbol of beauty, but of impact.