Socorro Ramos: The Woman Behind PH’s Top Bookstore

Whenever you want to buy a good read, what comes to your mind first? Whenever you need some reference for your school or work project, where do you usually go?

I’m pretty sure that most of us Filipinos have heard of the National Bookstore.

Aside from books, National Bookstore also sells greeting cards, school and office supplies nationwide.

Founded and established in 1942 by the matriarch herself, Socorro Ramos, also known as Nanay Coring, and her husband rented a small space at the foot of Escolta Bridge in Santa Cruz, Manila.

Nanay Coring also had humble beginnings, she and her grandmother have been selling fruits at a local market in their home province.

Nanay Coring and her family didn’t have a privileged life before, they have to work hard for them to survive that is why her mother decided to move into the capital city of Manila for them explore more and better opportunities.

Nanay Coring didn’t limit herself back then, when she was still studying in a public school she also worked as a freelancer, sewing buttons, wrapping bubble gums and more, for them to have extra income. To be honest with you, going to school and working at the same time isn’t easy as it seems.

Because of her dedication to finish her studies she finally graduated and finished secondary level (high school), but things were tough as her family cannot afford to send her to college.

Nanay Coring took the challenge and worked as a salesgirl at certain bookstore. It was there that she met Jose, her husband who also helped her to establish on what could be now the largest book retail store in the country.

During their startup, things were not in their favor since the Japanese have already invaded and occupied the Philippines and book censorship was implemented.

With no books to sell, Nanay Coring had to sell everything she can from candies, slippers, soaps and other merchandise for them to survive considering that the country was in shambles due to the then ongoing World War II.

The war however, devastated almost all parts of Manila including Escolta. The disappointment however, led to a much better opportunity as they opened another store in Avenida and sold the books they had kept during the Japanese occupation.

Fast forward to time, National Bookstore in the 1970s was making noise and was already popular by that time, they began selling foreign textbooks for 75% lesser than the actual price.

With around 160 branches throughout the Philippines, National Bookstore is now the leading book and office supplies retail company in the country.

After how many years of running the business and despite the challenges that erupted, indeed, persistence and hard work is the key to success. (MLC)