There are four birthday wishes that former President Fidel V. Ramos, who turned 89 last March 18, wants to happen sometime soon in the Philippines.
These are:
1. The establishment and institutionalization of the Freedom Learning Center proposed by the People Power Commission to be implemented by the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to inspire the Filipino youth to have a stronger sense of appreciation of the Spirit of Edsa;
2. For the Duterte administration and all the three branches of government to embrace the triune virtues of Unity, Solidarity, and Teamwork in building a brighter future for a better Philippines;
3. For the 104-million Filipinos to go back to the basics of “caring, sharing and daring” for love of God, country and for one another—all aboard one mother ship called Pilipinas; and,
4. For the West Philippine Sea to be developed into South East Asia’s maritime heartland for human development to save and improve lives, and to ensure mankind’s future survival anchored on his noble concept of Asia Pacifica where nations should concentrate on maritime law enforcement, safety of navigation and open commerce instead of military buildup.
Last March 17, family members, loved ones, supporters, co-workers in government and partners of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation and friends trooped to Wack Wack Golf and Country Club to personally greet FVR on his 89th birthday. The event, organized by RPDEV Executive Director Mae Gaffud, was highlighted by the completion of the digitization of 18,000 Betamax and VHS tapes when he served as 12th President of the Philippines.
While FVR did not formally announce his four ardent wishes that evening, the summation was a result of constant exchanges and from the privilege of serving as the family biographer and historian of the former Philippine president in the last 16 years.
FVR is known not just for his thumbs-up sign, “Kaya Natin Ito” slogan, his ears or his tobacco as well as his push-ups and crunches and his administration program Philippines 2000. At a very ripe age of 89, he still plays golf and proudly displays his pacemaker that, he declares, makes him live longer by 25 more years.
Even in his octagenarian years, he has never failed to carry on what he has started, always a good soldier who likes to say that he would rather die serving his country with his boots on than sit idly to enjoy his retirement. He continues to inspire and stimulate, stir and enthuse, define and redefine, challenge and defy.
Eighteen years after he finished his term as president in 1998, Fidel V. Ramos, FVR or Eddie, the private citizen, refuses to be “tired even while retired.” He continues to be “a reformer despite being a former president,” and “ex” but not excess and not yet expired.
Other former chiefs of state write their memoirs and then fade into the sunset. He has written 30 books while in retirement and through keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, university convocations, etc., keeps reminding his successors and other leaders of the urgent things that need to be done for our country and people to achieve a better future.
Our relationship can be described as a wonderful journey that transcends beyond the books we have done together. Since 2000, FVR has commissioned me to write on the biographies of his loved ones: “Enduring Legacy,” on his father Foreign Affairs Secretary Narciso Ramos; “In A Class of Her Own,” on his mother Angela Valdez Ramos; “Mommy: The Pillar of Social Work” on mother-in-law Josefa Jara Martinez; “Simply Ming,” on First Lady Amelita “Ming” M. Ramos; “Uncle Sim” on Simeon Marcos Valdez; “Colors of Light” on his artist, poetess auntie Lucia Mangapit Valdez; “FVR Words of Wisdom;” and “FVR Wonder of Words.”
Among the best book projects we worked and produced together are Silver Linings, a story on the 25 Years of the 1986 Revolution and the history of the Special Action Force, and Teamwork for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development chronicling ten years of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV), a non-profit, non-political, non-partisan non-government organization where he acts as chair, and then several books later.
Last Feb. 15, he launched FVR XYZ Files that feature trivia, issues and controversies as well as anecdotes from various authors.
On April 21 on the eve of World Earth Day celebration, we are launching 15 Years of RPDEV titled: Continuing the Voyage for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development. Environmentalism has been one of FVR’s and RPDEV’s strong advocacies.
It not only a singular honor and privilege writing books but I always consider it is a gift and a blessing from the Almighty and from FVR himself who has served as a constant guide, inspiration, editor and prime mover of said book projects.
The past 16 years and the several book teams formed have been a great journey of rediscovering FVR and RPDEV. Together, we now form part of a new group called Fidelistas, ardent students of Fidel V. Ramos. Working with him has allowed my team to experience some core values such as CSW (Completed Staff Work), CSD (Caring, Sahring and Daring), and UST (Unity, Solidaity and Teamwork) – all advocated by FVR.
As for his many sorties overseas, he continues to be admired, respected and adulated as former President and head of state. But there’s one unforgetablle experience I had with him that showed the stuff he is really made of. I remember one incident in June 2013 when we staged the Pilipinas Roadshow with my co-book authors former DILG Secretary Rafael M. Alunan III and retired Gen. now MWSD Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco featuring our book “Silver Linings: 25 Years of the 1986 People Power Revolution,” and “Tagaligtas: A Documentary on the Spercial Action Force” (long before the Mamasapano massacre happened) in eight key cities in the United States to promote Filipino values and instill patriotism to the Fil-Ams in time for the Independence Day celebration.
Inspite of the debilitating pain on his back and leg when he injured himself in San Diego, California while doing his usual crunch with some Fil-Ams, FVR, who was very well beyond his years, withstood the pain and committed to continue the 8-city tour to Atlanta, Georgia, Washington D.C., Virginia, New Jersey and New York without any complaints or grievance. Beyond the pain, the show must go on. Such a kindred and brave soul and he taught the Pilipinas Roadshow Team a lesson on pain management, mind over matter, professionalism and honoring one’s commitment.
(The writer is the official biographer of the Ramos family.)
and not so old writers that have been involved with the book projects have also seen the other human side of FVR – comical, witty and a tad bit serious when needed. I recall the time when he shook the hands of one lady writer and FVR feigned sickness to the lady writer’s great concern. As always, he was all joking.
Such incidents would make most of them wonder how at his age, he still continues to work and contribute to nation building with his wealth of ideas, wisdom and experience.
Unfortunately, for the many national leaders who came after him both in the executive and legislative, they didn’t seem to take advantage of the golden opportunity of tapping his vast reservoir of wisdom and experience, particularly in the areas of good governance and global diplomacy.
FVR is one of the greatest Philippine Presidents this country ever had.
Having served as 12th President of the Philippines from 1992- 1998, FVR is best remembered for promoting the principles of people empowerment, a culture of excellence, and global competitiveness, focusing on programs to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos. This is evident in the 229 structural/reform laws enacted by the 9th and 10th Congress during his term, achieved principally by building unity, solidarity and teamwork among government and civil society leaders.
As a soldier who served 42 years, including stints in Korea, Vietnam and in the counter-insurgency campaign, FVR retired as a 4-star General and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. He served as Defense Secretary from 1988 to 1991. As President and thereafter, he is better known as a peace builder with the forging of the peace agreement with the rebel-soldiers in 1995 and with the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996.
The former President who has been in public service since beginning his career as a cadet in the U.S. Military Academy in 1946, continues to practice his distinct brand of public service through the non-government RPDEV Foundation which he and key members of his former Presidential family organized only months after they left office.
And it’s quiet unfair to lump him among the underachievers in the last 31 years owing to his legacy of service before, during and after his six year presidency: West Point honor graduate, Korea and Vitenam War veteran, AFP Vice Chief of Staff, PC-INP Chief, EDSA 1 hero, AFP Chief, Defense Secretary, Philippine President, RPDEV and Boao Forum Chairman, EDSA 2 hero and Senior Statesman.