From "A Del Rosario Book Company Inc."
On November 19, 1945, college friends Anacleto del Rosario, Eladio Adriano, Renato Arevalo, Jorge Paez, Alfredo Zamora, and Bienvenido A. Tan Jr., acquired A Del Rosario Book Company Inc.
Our journey started in 1945. We are the longest running bookstore in the Philippines
As book publisher, Bookmark seeks to develop books that contribute to the Philippine development through the documentation and dissemination of knowledge and information, the propagation of positive values and ethical practices, the development of wholesome attitudes, and the popularization of Philippine culture.
To "The Bookmark"
On March 14, 1948, the name was changed to The Bookmark.
Early Years
In its early years, Bookmark's products were religious books, mass cards, rosaries and altar accessories.
Later, Bookmark expanded its importation of literature, psychology, and other scholarly-written books. It also started importing paperbacks, in addition to children's books.
Early 50's
In the early 50's, Bookmark imported elementary and high school textbooks for private school customers.
A substantial volume of textbook importation was carried on with publishers like Ginn & Co. American Book Co., Loyola University Press, WM. H. Sadlier Co., Inc. and others.
First Shop
Bookmark's first shop was located on Banquero Street, a few meters from bustling Escolta in Manila which was the Central Business District at that time.
In 1961, the company moved its operations to a bigger space at T.Pinpin, two blocks away from the first shop.
Its head office was moved to Vito Cruz Extension in June 1984, while the store remained in the same address.
From a one-store establishment, Bookmark grew into 12 branches with sales offices in Cebu and San Fernando, La Union.
Partnership with Foreign Publishers
To help bring down prices, the company partnered with foreign publishers for its local reprinting of selected textbooks like the Voyages in English Series of the Loyola University Press and some grammar books by Oxford University Press.
Bookmark also became Oxford University Press' exclusive distributor in the Philippines.
To help develop the book trade industry, the company conducted book exhibits with foreign publishers, with the assistance of the National Library of the Philippines.
Seeing the need for a more organized bookselling business, Bookmark joined the Booksellers Association of the Philippines and helped formulate policies and programs.
Bookmark During the 70's
During the tight economic situation in the 70's, Bookmark focused on publishing more of its textbooks and trade lines.
This was in line with the government's move towards the Filipinization of textbooks using Filipino as the medium of instruction.
More books were published and a distribution tie-up with a local publisher was established.
The company focused more on local publishing and expanded its product lines to include stationaries, posters, wrappers, maps, planners, and organizers.
Early 90's
In the early 90's, under the management of Jose Ma. Lorenzo P. Tan, the company established a pre-publishing capacity and computerized its operations.
Local Publishing Venture
In 1991, Bookmark ventured into local publishing of low-priced books by noted Filipino authors like NVM Gonzales, Bienvenido Santos, and Nick Joaquin and handled the distribution of Alberto Florentino's well-known Peso Books.
Simultaneous with these, Bookmark also increased the selling of Filipino titles.
Present Time
At present, The Bookmark, Inc., continue to produce books that contribute to the development of the country.
It actively publishes textbooks and variety of trade books dealing with Philippine topics and themes. The Bookmark, Inc. is also engaged in textbooks distribution to different schools nationwide. Retail selling is done through its office/showroom located at its head office at the 4th floor (4A-1), BABS Bldg. Kamagong cor. Dungon St. San Antonio Village, Makati City. It has sales distributors in many regions of the Philippines.
The Bookmark, Inc. also involves itself in the promotion of education and literacy of all, as well as in the protection of the environment conservation of wildlife. This is done by the active participation and support of both management and staff with the leadership of its President Maria Mercedes T. Rodrigo and General Manager Eduardo C. Yabut, through education programs as well as product donations.
