Socorro Ramos
Socorro Ramos | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maria Socorro Cancio 23 September 1923 |
| Other names | Nanay Coring |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of National Book Store |
| Spouse | José Ramos |
| Awards | Outstanding Manilan Award |
Maria Socorro Cancio Ramos (born 23 September 1923) is a Filipino businesswoman. She is the co-founder of National Book Store, the largest bookstore chain in the Philippines.
Biography[edit]
Maria Socorro Cancio Ramos was born on 23 September 1923 in Santa Cruz, Laguna. She grew up in a rich entrepreneurial family. As a child, she helped at a young age in her parents' shop and her grandmother's market stall. After graduating from Arellano High School, she worked as a shop girl in the Ramos Goodwill Book Store. Socorro's brother Manuel married one of the daughters of the Ramos family and in 1940 a new bookshop was opened on Escolta Street on the ground floor of Panciteria National. José Ramos was put in charge and asked Socorro to come and work for him. The store was called National Book Store. Shortly afterwards, she married José, despite a ban from her family.
During the Japanese occupation, many of the American books were hidden and the couple mainly sold office supplies, soap and flip flops. During the Battle of Manila in 1945, their store went up in flames and they had to start over with the stash of hidden books. However, three years later, disaster struck again when a typhoon again destroyed the rebuilt store at its new Rizal Avenue location. Once again, the National Book Store was rebuilt with a mezzanine.[1][2]
Over time, the store expanded. New branches were opened at the intercession of the three children of Socorro and Jose. The company became a real family business and grew into a chain of bookstores with branches throughout the country. In the 1990s, the chain had about 50 branches. Twenty years later, there were 145. The National Book Store became the largest bookstore chain in the Philippines and one of the largest companies in the Philippine retail industry.[3]
Ramos turned 100 in September 2023.[4]
Awards and recognition[edit]
In 2017, Ramos was one of the recipients of the Outstanding Manilan Award.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ Velas, Mary Anne (1 June 2015). "National Bookstore: An accidental brand". Entrepreneur Philippines. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "Our History". National Bookstore. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "National Book Store to offer GCash scan to pay in all branches nationwide". Manila Bulletin. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ "Nanay Coring Turns 100: A Tribute to the Woman Who Built National Book Store". Esquire. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ Clapano, Jose Rodel (25 June 2017). "Araw ng Maynila: Erap honors outstanding citizens". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 13 August 2017.