3. Socorro Ramos (National Book Store)
Before establishing National Book Store, Socorro Ramos worked as a salesgirl at a bookstore. She and her husband started the National Book Store with only P200 capital.
They used it to sell books and school supplies to students despite the strict regime of the Japanese. After the war, the company became more profitable and is now known as one of the most prominent school and book supplies chains in the Philippines.
4. Edgar Sia (Mang Inasal)
Considered the pioneer in unlimited rice meals in the Philippines, Edgar Sia is the genius man behind Mang Inasal.
He hailed from Iloilo City, and a college drop-out turned entrepreneur at age 19. Before starting Mang Inasal, he had a laundry and photo-developing business. In 2006, Mang Inasal was established with its first branch located in a mall’s parking lot.
Businessman tycoon Tony Caktiong of Jollibee decided to buy Sia’s booming enterprise for a whopping PHP 5 billion. Sia used this amount for other investments and healthcare but is still considered one of the country’s youngest billionaires.