Century Pacific Food Inc. founder Ricardo Po Sr. passes away at 90
Century Pacific Food Inc. founder and chairman emeritus Ricardo Po Sr. has passed away at the age of 90, according to a statement from the family. The cause of death is attributed to complications arising from surgery.
News of Po's passing was earlier announced through a regulatory filing that indicated the company's chairman emeritus post was vacated effective October 11, 2021 due to Po's death.
Century Pacific Food Inc. is best known for its well-known Century Tuna brand, as well as 555 Sardines, Argentina Corned Beef, Blue Bay Tuna, and Birch Tree milk, to name a few.
In the 2021 Forbes' list of 50 wealthiest Filipinos, Po's $1.45 billion net worth was enough to place him at 16th place.
According to the family's statement. Po was “fondly called 'Tatay' by many within the company.” They also emphasized that he “lived a full life raising his family, building his company, and perfecting his golf game.”
Po was only 15 years old when he migrated to the Philippines from Guangzhou, China back in 1947 and did not know a word of English or Filipino. He first started earning money by translating for Chinese businessmen in Binondo after teaching himself how to speak English by reading a Chinese-English dictionary.
Po took but did not finish an industrial chemistry course at the University of Santo Tomas, and then went on to work as a journalist for a Binondo-based Chinese newspaper. Just like most reporters, he started out covering the police beat before eventually ending up on the Malacañang beat.
After his stint as a journalist, Po founded the Cathay Promotions Advertising Company, counting Henry Sy Sr. as one of his clients. His company was behind the design of the SM logo that the company uses to this day.
Po became a stockbroker after his time in advertising before eventually founding Century Pacific Food Inc. in 1978. Aside from its food brands, the company also has a stake in restaurant operator Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. The company was listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2014.
Arthaland Corp. is also another one of Po's business interests.
In 2006, he was awarded a Masters in Business Administration by the University of Santo Tomas.
Po leaves behind his wife, Angelita, and his four children Ricardo Gabriel Po Jr., Teodoro Alexander Po, Christopher Po. and Leonardo Arthur Po.
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Meanwhile, take a look at the other celebrities and personalities we lost in 2021: