Don Andres Garchitorena was born in Tigaon, Camarines Sur. He was the son of Don Mariano Garchitorena y Basa, a Basque immigrant, and Donya Maria Veronica del Buenviaje de la Estrada y Sauza. He was the grandson of Don Santiago Sauza of Mexico and Sr Don Felix Berenguer de Marquina, governor genaral of the Philippines. He was member of the revolutionary group headed by Emilio Aguinaldo in Hong Kong during the Spanish American War. In 1919, he was elected Governor of Ambos Camarines Sur.
He is the father of Don Mariano Garchitorena, Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, and Governor of Camarines Sur. He is also the grandfather of Andres Centenera, a famous philippine actor and Justice Francis Garchitorena, Sandigan Bayan Justice.