CORDILYN G.

SABERON ENTREPRENEURSHIP
BTLED-HE 2A OCT. 03, 2023

“THE JOURNEY OF SOCORRO RAMOS AS

A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR”

Socorro Ramos, widely known as Nanay

Coring. She is a Filipino businesswoman and the
founder and owner of National Bookstore, the largest
bookstore chain in the Philippines. Born on January
23, 1923, in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Ramos has become
an inspiring figure in the Filipino retail industry.

At the tender age of 19, she opened a small "Villosa Store" store in
Manila, which eventually evolved into the iconic National Bookstore. She had
a keen interest in books and believed in the power of education. This
conviction led her to transform her small store into a haven for reading
materials. She began selling second-hand textbooks and eventually
expanded her inventory to include various types of books, school and office
supplies, art materials, and stationery. With her sharp business acumen, she
recognized the needs and demands of the growing Filipino market for quality
books and started importing books from foreign publishers.

Nanay Coring's story starts in 1945 when she and her husband, Jose
Ramos, opened their first bookstore, National Book Store, in Escolta, Manila.
With a capital of only P6,000, they faced numerous challenges, including the
aftermath of World War II and fierce competition from established
bookstores. However, their dedication and passion for books allowed them to
persevere.

Despite encountering setbacks and financial difficulties, Nanay Coring

understood the importance of continuously adapting and expanding their
business. She took risks, experimented with new ideas, and introduced
innovative concepts to uplift the bookstore's image. This included creating a
children's section, launching a publishing arm, and diversifying into office
supplies, school supplies, and gift items. These bold moves helped the
National Book Store thrive in a rapidly evolving market.
 Nanay Coring's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction is
another crucial factor in her success. She understood that customers are the
backbone of any business, and their loyalty and trust are invaluable. As a
result, she prioritized building strong relationships with her customers,
providing personalized services, and anticipating their ever-changing needs.
Furthermore, Nanay Coring was a businesswoman and a philanthropist with
a heart for education. Throughout her entrepreneurship journey, she
recognized the importance of education in society and the need to support
aspiring students. Hence, she established "Project Aklat," a program that
donated books to underprivileged communities and schools across the
country.

She has received numerous accolades and recognition throughout her

long and successful career. She has been honored with various awards,
including the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Lifetime
Achievement Award and the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards' Lifetime
Achievement Award. In 2017, Forbes recognized Nanay Coring as one of the
50 richest individuals in the Philippines. While this acknowledgment is well-
deserved, her impact extends far beyond monetary figures.

Socorro Ramos, or Nanay Coring, is an extraordinary woman whose

qualities have left an impact on me. Her determination, passion for
education, humility, philanthropy, and resilience are qualities that I admire
and aspire to cultivate in myself. Nanay Coring's success story is not just
about financial achievements but also about empowering others and giving
back to society. Despite her tremendous success, she remains humble and
grounded, always remembering her roots. Her rags-to-riches story resonates
with countless individuals, inspiring them to dream bigger, work harder, and
overcome obstacles.

At the age of 98, Socorro Ramos continues to inspire countless

individuals showcasing the remarkable power of one person's vision and
dedication to transforming not just their own life but also the lives of others
and the community. Overcoming adversity, she was able to establish an
institution that has become an integral part of Filipino culture and society.