Socorro C. Ramos

Background:
•Salesgirl at a Goodwill Bookstore
•Owner of National Bookstore
•Agora Award for Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship
•DTI Outstanding Filipino Retailer Award
•Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
•The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award
•Filipino-Chinese Federation of Business and Professional Women of the Philippines Award for Business

Biography:

Socorro C. Ramos or also known as “Nanay Coring” is the founder of National Bookstore, the Philippines’ largest chain of bookstores and major retailer of books, office supplies and greeting cards. Back in 1965, together with her husband, they started the first National Bookstore in Avenida Rizal that has been continually present until now. From her once- small stall, their family business expanded with over 2,500 employees in over 80 branches.

Prior to her success, it was noted however that her life in the beginning was marked with a lot of challenges and hurdles. At the age of five, she already started selling bananas, vinegar, and wooden shoes to help her mother and grandmother in a wet market stall in Sta. Cruz Laguna. She also worked each summer vacation to earn school allowance. She worked in a candy factory where her elder sisters also worked, a cigarette factory where she earns 5 centavos for every pack, and a factory making shorts. With all of these, at the young age of 10 years old, she already became an entrepreneur.

At the age of 18 in 1940, Socorro Ramos began working as a salesperson in Goodwill person that was owned by his brother Manuel. Because of her sales capabilities, she was put in charge of her brother’s store. It was here where she met Jose Ramos who became her husband.

Socorro’s brother needed someone to look after the branch that they set up along Escoltra Street, on the ground floor of Panciteria. After Socorro’s