Ricardo Po Jr.: Wealth, Business Empire, and Life Outside Work

As Vice Chairman of Century Pacific Food Inc., Ricardo Po Jr. has played a pivotal role in building on the family business and continuing the legacy built by his father, the late Ricardo Po Sr. A titan in the Philippines’ food industry, Century Pacific is a globally recognized company that carries many household names–Century Tuna, 555 Sardines, Argentina Corned Beef, Birch Tree Powdered Milk, and Angel Evaporated Milk.

Net Worth: $1.65B (Po Family)

Age: 57

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Ricardo Po Sr.: Wealth, Business Empire, and Life Outside Work

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In His Youth

When he was 11 years old, Ricardo Gabriel Po Jr. witnessed his father launch a tuna canning factory in 1978. Originally named Century Canning Corporation, the company eventually grew to become a multi-billion-peso behemoth whose products and brands we encounter every day. During his childhood, however, it was a business to help his father–who was a journalist-turned-advertising executive-turned-entrepreneur–raise them: four Po boys, including Ricardo Jr.

Still, this early exposure to business instilled a strong desire in the younger Ricardo to follow in his father’s footsteps, not to mention the determination to develop a strong work ethic and drive for excellence. Ricardo Jr. completed his higher education at Boston University, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 1990. Further enhancing his leadership acumen, he pursued the Executive Education Program (Owner-President Management Program) at Harvard Business School, which he completed in 2000.

Seeing firsthand how his father dove into entrepreneurship despite the lack of a business background was not the first time Ricardo Jr. saw the senior’s resilience and resourcefulness. Before the establishment of Century Canning Corp., Ricardo Sr. already experienced major setbacks, especially during the 1973 stock market crash. Inspired by these lessons, Ricardo Jr. cultivated a deep understanding of managing finances and operating businesses–its up-close training that would prove very useful later on as they guided his own career.

Ricardo Po Jr.'s Business Empire

Ricardo Jr.’s journey within Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF) began in earnest in 1990 when he was appointed as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). During his tenure from 1990 to 2006, he played a crucial role in the operational framework that allowed CNPF to become one of the largest branded food companies in the Philippines.

Their transformation into an industry leader was marked by strategic expansions and innovations. The company diversified its portfolio beyond the flagship brand Century Tuna and 555 Sardines (which were launched in 1986 and 1983, respectively), adding Argentina Corned Beef in 1995, Blue Bay Tuna in 2001, and both Angel Canned Liquid Milk and Birch Tree Full Cream Milk Powder in 2002.

In 2006, he was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Board, and over the succeeding years, Century Pacific has achieved several milestones that further shaped their success. In 2008, they expanded their meat offerings with the launch of Wow! Ulam and the acquisition of Swift in 2012. Their growth and hunger for expansion cannot be denied, and soon enough, in 2014, the company’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) bolstered this vision into reality.

The 2010s marked a period of rapid diversification and growth: acquiring Hunt’s Philippines license in 2017, entering the local coconut market with Coco Mama in 2019, and launching unMeat in 2020–the Philippines’ first vegan meat alternative brand. The following year, Century Pacific Food ventured into the refrigerated food market with products that aim to supplement their current lineup.

Beyond Century Pacific, however, the Po family, through their private holdings company Century Pacific Group (CPG), diversified their interests into real estate with Arthaland Corp. and fast food with Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. Ricardo Jr., along with his brothers Christopher, Teodoro Alexander, and Leonardo Arthur, played collaborative roles in these ventures.

Century Pacific Food's Impact on Philippine Society and Economy

Century Pacific Food Inc.’s influence on the Philippine economy is profound. For one, their flagship brand, Century Tuna, has made its mark in the market as a healthy product that addresses nutritional needs. This product has influenced countless people to pursue a healthier lifestyle, especially since their biennial competition, Century Tuna Superbods, has been inspiring people since it began in 2006.

Beyond business, their CPG-RSPo Foundation, which was established in 2010, serves as the company’s socio-civic arm. Their programs aim to address hunger and malnutrition, as well as education and environmental concerns in the Philippines. “KAIN PO Feeding Program,” the foundation’s flagship program, tackles the first objective by providing Century Pacific’s products to feeding programs in local communities and public schools. Also, their plant-based meat line, unMEAT, shows their commitment to offering tasty, protein-rich alternatives to meet future meat demand driven by global population growth.

Outside the Boardroom

Ricardo Jr. is not just defined by his corporate achievements. He is a family man who values his relationship with his siblings and their shared vision for the company their father started. His brother, Teodoro Alexander, serves as the Vice Chairman, President, and CEO of Century Pacific Food, while Christopher is the Executive Chairman. Lastly, Leonardo Arthur is CNPF and Shakey’s Pizza’s Treasurer.

Their family’s continued teamwork and collaborative efforts to further their family’s ventures are proof of their father’s efforts to instill valuable life and business lessons. Christopher shared some lessons from Ricardo Po Sr. in an interview with Philippine Star: “Take no shortcuts,” and “Measure yourself to high standards, not easy goals or mediocre standards.” Needless to say, the Po brothers have taken their father’s words to heart.

As for his own family, he married Manila councilor Krystle Bacani in an elegant ceremony at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu in 2018. Ricardo Jr. also has four daughters.