Concepcion Cuenco Manguerra was born on February 18, 1912 in Cebu City, Philippines, the fourth child of Mariano Jesus Cuenco and Filomena Alesna Cuenco. Her 24-year-old father was a young aspiring politician at the time; her mother hailed from Carcar, Cebu, of the Noel family. Concepcion's other siblings were: Lourdes, Manuel, Maria (deceased young), Consuelo, Teresita, and Carmen.

Concepcion attended St. Catherine's in Carcar, St. Scholastica's in Manila, and the University of the Philippines, where she majored in music. When she was ninetten, she became Carnival Petite Queen 1931 of Cebu. Shortly after, she married a 33-year-old widower, Mariano Flores Manguerra, an engineering professor at the University of the Philippines. They had four children: Maria Victoria, Mariano Jesus, Ana Maria Teresita, and Cecilia Catalina .

During World War II, Concepcion, her husband and their two children (Victoria and Mariano) fled Manila to Mindanao. There Mariano served in the guerrilla movement. During that war, Concepcion lost a child (a boy).

After Liberation, Concepcion, her husband and three children lived briefly in Talisay, Cebu, until they built a house on Andres Abellana, Cebu City.

After Mariano Flores Manguerra died of a heart attack in 1957, she went on to raise their four children, sending them to the best schools including universities abroad. Concepcion turned out to be an exceptional businesswoman. Starting with her buy-and-sell efforts with her best friend, Mercedes Rodriguez, during post-World War II days, she went on to become a real estate tycoon, with properties in Cebu and Manila.

Throughout her life she served in many civic groups. For most of her years, she enjoyed her work, her volunteer efforts, her children, grandchildren and grandchildren. She loved people, parties, travel, good food, and lived life to the fullest. She was a colorful and beloved daughter of Cebu, who could be found dancing in parties and clubs when she was in her eighties. Unfortunately, her last years were spent on legal concerns.

On November 7, 2002, Concepcion collapsed in Makati of a cardiac arrest. She was rushed to Makati Medical Center where she was resuscitated and hooked up on life support. She passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2002, when her heart finally gave way. She was 90 years old.

After a Memorial Mass in the Sanctuario San Antonio in Forbes, her cremated remains were interred in St. James Parish Church in Alabang. ~