Profile of Classification Speaker: STAR Rtn. Ralph Joseph

Educational Background

Graduated (1975) Adamson University – Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Management

Letran College/Adamson University – High School

Letran College – Elementary

Present Business Involvement

Founder & President: Philippine Wine Merchants Food & Beverage Inc.; Ralph’s Liquor Store, Inc.; Food & Beverage Clark, Inc.; Food & Beverage Subic, Inc.; R Joseph Holdings, Inc.; Spanish Gate Restaurant; RJ Farms

Director: Columbia Transport, Inc (Coltrans Cargo); Bestworld Beverage Brands, Inc.

Social Concerns

Founded the RIGHT FOUNDATION - a non-profit, non-stock, non-governmental organization aiming to stop dynamite and cyanide finishing in the Philippines

Sent 4 brand new 10-wheeler trucks, free of charge, including drivers to Olongapo for three (3) years to assist in cleaning the debris and garbage during the turnover of American base to the Philippine Government

Currently supporting the Andrew Ministries for the education of street children

Facilitated the acquisition of water pipes from Malacañang, which were utilized for the various water supply projects in different barrios in Anilao, Batangas

Supported and participated in the seeding of sea clams in Cavite. Assisted in the dissemination of information on the hazards and ill effects of dynamite, cyanide and spear fishing

Supported the planting of Narra, Mango and Coconut trees in 35 hectares of land located in Pililla, Rizal in 1976

Strongly supporting the advocacy to save and restore Manila Bay headed by Commodore Robert “Bobby” Joseph Jr. together with DENR and Rotary Club of Manila. The launching of Save Manila Bay endeavor led to the installation of the 500,000-liters capacity solar-powered sewage treatment plant.

Company Brief

In 1975, right after college, I formed a corporation with my brothers called R.J. Impex Trading and set up our first wine shop operating under the name, Philippine Wine Merchants (PWM). Quality wines and liquors were sold on a wholesale and retail basis. During that time, it was very difficult to import. Only those who were close to the Marcos Administration were given allocation to import. This made us very resourceful in looking for suppliers (Because of the shortage of supply, fake goods sold in the market at very low prices were very rampant.) We were distributing to all the hotels, restaurants and supermarkets; we exposed the entire fake suppliers and campaigned against them. With this, the people in the trade trusted our company (genuine products only).

By the year 1982, R.J. Impex gave way for the establishment of Food & Beverage, Inc., which sounded better and more appropriate for the business we are into. Food & Beverage, Inc (F&B, Inc.) was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Philippine Wine Merchants, the firm and style by which F&B, Inc. operates, was maintained and serves as the wholesaler. In 1988 the government allowed the importation of goods without quota. It was then that we started our global search and importation of wines & spirits of the finest quality. Since then, there was no turning back.

The year 1995 saw the emergence of Ralph’s Wines & Spirits and became the retail arm of F&B, Inc./PWM. To date, Food & Beverage, Inc., Philippine Wine Merchants and Ralph’s Wines & Spirits are the names to reckon with in the industry when it comes to the best quality wines & spirits. Today, Ralph’s Wines & Spirits has expanded into 19 branches, slowly putting into reality our vision to become the largest chain of wines & spirits shop in the country. While Philippine Wine Merchants continues to broaden its line, representing and distributing a wide selection of top quality, known brands in the market.

During Perestroika, we exported 300 containers of local spirits to Russia when the U.S.S.R. was divided and Russia emerged. When the U.S. Bases in Clark and Subic were made into Free Trade Zones, duty free outlets were put up respectively as locators aimed to service and supply other duty free shops operating inside the two Free Trade Zones.

For almost thirty two years now, our being honest, sincere and customer oriented coupled with prompt service made our company what it is today. Our vision is to come up with “sariling atin” products. Our next project is to do local bottling and come up with Filipino products at par with the world’s best and supply the rest of the globe.