HYBE Idol’s Family Revealed To Be Not Just Rich, But Revolutionary People Who Changed The Country
KATSEYE‘s Sophia was born in a rich family. Fans could easily tell from her family house’s interior, which was previously revealed through snippets from her social media updates.
Not only that, but Sophia comes from a famous family in the Philippines: Sophia’s mother is a stage actress and singer Carla Guevara-Laforteza, while her father, Basilio Godfrey Laforteza III is a former dancer and currently an executive chef in Manila.
But did you know that her family comes from a revolutionary man who has been often lauded as a visionary in the Philippines? Sophia’s maternal grandfather is Domingo M. Guevara, a businessman who had great foresight for the country’s economy and development.
Domingo M. Guevara was a pioneering Filipino industrialist whose entrepreneurial vision helped shape the Philippines’ early path toward industrialization in the mid-20th century. Born in 1909, Guevara rose from modest beginnings to become a key figure in the nation’s manufacturing and automotive sectors. His ventures, particularly through Radiowealth and DMG Inc., introduced affordable electronics and automobiles to Filipino households, fostering technological advancement and economic growth.
Guevara’s most notable achievement was the founding of Radiowealth, a company that produced affordable, Philippine-made radios, televisions, and other appliances. This initiative not only made modern conveniences accessible to the average Filipino but also stimulated local manufacturing industries. In 1955, he established DMG Inc. (Diesel Motors of Germany), which began assembling Volkswagen vehicles, including the iconic Beetle and Kombi, by 1959. At its peak in 1970, DMG produced over 6,000 vehicles annually, making it the leading automotive assembler in the country.
Beyond his business endeavors, Guevara was also active in the political sphere. As a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, he was one of only seven members who voted against the ratification of the 1973 Constitution, which effectively legitimized President Ferdinand Marcos‘ declaration of martial law. This principled stand led to political pressure and the eventual closure of his businesses, including Radiowealth and the Volkswagen assembly plant.
Sophia’s family history was recently viralized on X, leading many to praise the Guevaras for their work.
we could’ve had our own hyundai. our own sony.
instead, we lost it.
a whole industrial dream, dismantled before it could take root.
— sobaguette 🔪 (@celestialshoon) May 10, 2025
Sophia herself also voted for change, voting against the Marcos candidacy.
Her great-grandfather opposed Ferdinand Marcos in the 70s despite knowing it would cost their company. In 2022, she voted against Marcos Jr. Miss Sophia Laforteza is always on the right side of history😌 https://t.co/jWIAiL0HCU pic.twitter.com/tRLesTNdA9
— Kai (@xibcrz) May 11, 2025
Kudos to Sophia and her amazing family!
