SOCORRO C.

RAMOS
National Book Store, Inc.
 
Ms. Socorro C. Ramos started working as a salesgirl when she was 18 yrs. old in Goodwill
Bookstore in Escolta. She was good in selling, that’s why she became in charge of the store.
When she was married to Jose Ramos, they put up The National Book Store. Her vision was to
extend the National bookstore not only here in Luzon but also to Visayas and Mindanao for
cheaper access to books and school supplies. Before, the National Book Store was a general
merchandise store. Until later on, it was selling books, greeting cards, and school supplies.
Today, more than 70 National Book Store can be found nationwide.
 
2. TONY TAN CAKTIONG
Jollibee Foods Corporation
 
Jollibee was formerly selling Magnolia Ice Cream, then it was recognized as selling chicken and
burger. Tony Tan Caktiong, the president and CEO of Jollibee, was a name to remember, not
only here in the Philippines but also in other parts of the country, like in US, Hongkong, China,
Indonesia, and Japan.  He had received several awards in the business and the likes. The success
of Jollibee according to Mr. Caktiong is sharing to people what they had achieved.  Jollibee had
been known to be a happy and hardworking insect. It is the favorite place to dine in of many
Filipinos especially the kids.
 
3. Lucio Tan
Philippine Airlines
 
Lucio Tan’s story was from rags to riches tale. Before working in the tobacco industry, his
business was a scrap. His dream was to become a scientist but his fortune was bound to become
an entrepreneur. His hard work made him successful and became famous.  Now, he owns Asia
Brewery, Tanduay, Fortune Tobacco, Philippine Airlines, Allied Bank, and many more to
mention.
 
4. ATTY. FELIPE L. GOZON
GMA Network, Inc.
Atty. Felipe L. Gozon is the chairman, president, and CEO of GMA Network. He was credited for
the success of GMA Network in radio and TV broadcasting, filmmaking, and music recording.
He was Master Entrepreneur in 2004. Because of the leadership of Atty. Gozon, he made GMA
as one of the top networks in the country today. Currently, GMA had via-satellite broadcasting
in Asia and in other parts of the world. 

 
5. Henry Sy
ShoeMart
Henry Sy was born on December 25, 1923, in Xiamen China. In his early twenties, he used to sell
American shoes. Then after three years, he was able to have his first shoe mart store. SM group
of companies was one of the biggest companies in our country and the man behind it was Henry
Sy. His self-discipline, perseverance, and hard work made him what he is today. In almost every
part of the country (as well as in Asia), there is SM [Link] to Henry Sy Sr., success will
not last if you do not care of it. That’s the secret of their success.
 
6. Jaime Zobel de Ayala
Ayala Corporation
 
Jaime Zobel de Ayala was before president and chairman of Ayala Corporation. He was
considered as one of the richest persons tied with Henry Sy in 2007. He had received many
awards and the latest was Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. His strategy for being successful in
this business was getting partners with those who are in need in the community. He believes
that gaining profits was not really the concern of every businessman, but to help the poor
people.
 
7. Alfredo Yao
Zest-O Corporation
 
Alfredo Yao came from a poor family and became rich due to hard work and determination. He
didn’t finish his education at Mapua Institute of Technology.  He experienced to work in the
printing press and then ventured to this business for 20 years. Then, he shifted to a juice
manufacturing business. Zest-O became hit to mothers because of its being convenient to be
placed in every lunch box of the children. Today, Zest-O was one of the leading juice
manufacturers in the country, in China, New Zealand, Singapore, and many others.
 
8. Mariano Que
Mercury Drugstore
Mariano Que first worked in a drugstore. When he was given the opportunity, he invested his
100 pesos in the sulfathiazole tablets. He sold his products to the people by making use of the
wooden pushcart. After saving a lot of money, he was able to built Mercury. It was made known
to the people as selling safe medicines and opened for 24/7. Mercury, like any other leading
drug stores, had many stores [Link] was because of the innovations he made in his
products.
 
 9. Cecilio K. Pedro
Lamoiyan Corporation
Cecilio K. Pedro finished his business management degree in Ateneo de Manila University. He
founded the Lamoyan Corp. which produces toothpastes like “Hapee” and “Kutitap.” This made
toothpaste affordable to the masses. He survived in the industry because of being tough and
innovative to fight for the multinational companies. His company had received an award, “Most
Outstanding Program for Equal Employment Opportunity,” giving importance to those who
have difficulty in hearing to work in his company.
 
10. Corazon D. Ong
CDO Foodsphere, Inc.
Corazon D. Ong is the founder of CDO Foods. It was a hobby of Ms. Ong to make processed
meats products such as corned beef, hotdog, meatloaf and hamburger patties. She was a
dietician by profession. So she understood what the preferences of most Filipinos are. Today,
CDO Foodsphere, Inc. was recognized as the leading supplier of meat toppings. Why?? Because
nowadays we have many working mothers and it is convenient on their part to have foods which
can be cooked easily.
 
The top famous entrepreneurs really worked hard to attain success in their business. They had
faced different challenges but they didn’t stop until they achieved their goals. Their
characteristics as an entrepreneur paved a long way in the business world. Now, can we do it,
too? Definitely, yes. We should only have the will and the determination to really work hard. We
can also be destined in the business industry, keeping our sights focused on how to achieve our
goals and at the same time we should also beguided by our values in life.
 The ‘Mother’ of All Entrepreneurs
 PB
 SUCCESS STORIES
 8 NOV, 2019
 4

The story of hair and beauty guru-turned-
entrepreneur Ricky Reyes is a classic rags to
riches tale. From a floor sweeper in a hair salon to
a neophyte hairdresser who opened his first shop in
San Juan in 1973, Reyes has established a beauty empire that has
pioneered in many hair technologies in the country.
Today, Ricky Reyes Holdings, Corp. stands as a testimony to
this honor student in the school of hard knocks, with a
successful chain of 43 salons all over the Philippines; a
manufacturing firm for his patented salon products; a world-
class resort and spa (the Golden Sunset Resort and Spa in
Calatagan, Batangas); his very own learning institute; and
now, a nomination to be the Philippine representative to the
prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Reyes’ first shop was actually the corner of a laundry shop in N.
Domingo, consisting of a wall mirror, a shampoo chair, a bowl, and a
dryer. It wasn’t much, but to Reyes it meant everything, as it was
something he could call his own. In two years, three more shops
were to open on Legarda, Taft Avenue, and Blumentritt.

In 1985, Reyes would change the landscape of the local beauty

industry when he opened the first mall-based salon at SM North
EDSA. It was also the beginning of a long-standing friendship with
taipan Henry Sy.

“They say I am Henry Sy’s lucky charm,” Reyes quips. “I am always

one of the first to be offered prime space in his malls, probably
because I have never treated him as a landlord. We would do the
rounds of his malls, and he would point out things to me, little
details such as keeping merchandise at the right height, or ensuring
all bulbs are working properly, and I learned a lot from him. Even
today, he personally calls me to ask how business is doing.”

Over the years Reyes has also brought in the latest trends in hair
and beauty, including milk rebonding, digital perm, hair reborn, hair
shine, hair detox, eyelash extension, and many more, as he scours
the best technology among foreign chemists and pays a premium on
royalties to use these technologies exclusively in his salons.

“I learned the value of discipline early in life because I was

determined to succeed,” he states. “To this day, I have not taken
out a single centavo out of the cash register, preferring to roll
money into the business to make it bigger. I sign every cent of my
disbursement, and I am 100 percent debt-free.”

Business of emotions
“I was not aware I was an entrepreneur — it wasn’t a buzzword yet
back then,” adds Reyes. “I have always considered myself a
practitioner rather than a businessman. My business is not a dry
heap of paperwork; it is a business of emotions and an investment
of myself.”
Reyes spends much of his time “mothering” at his salons both in
Metro Manila and in the provinces, instructing hairdressers on the
spot, pitching in with the services when needed, and even posing for
pictures with admiring customers.

Giving back
Despite his monumental success, Reyes still believes in sharing his
blessings, starting with his 1,200 employees, for whom he provides
a housing facility for each salon branch.
“I don’t really believe in return of investment,” Reyes professes. “I
am even proud of the fact that most of the country’s hairdressers all
started with me. When I train people or give livelihood programs,
there are no obligatory contracts that bind the beneficiaries into
repayment.”

Despite the demands of his flourishing business, Reyes remains

tireless in his prosperous crusade to transform society, into one that
is beautiful inside and out.

“I don’t have any plans to stop working, or to stop helping,” says

Reyes. “I love my business and I want people to discover that love
for work, to do something they can earn from but are happy doing. I
know what it feels like to be at the bottom of the wheel, and I take
pleasure in helping those who want to help themselves.”

Source: by Blooey P. Singson (The Philippine Star October 12, 2009)

Photo: [Link]