Ramon Cardenas soils his hands at work, purifies them in prayer
February 9, 2004 | 12:00am
For more than 20 years, Ramon "Eki" Cardenas has worked in different government positions. In his most recent post as chief of staff of President Joseph Estrada, Eki had the rank of cabinet secretary because he was the concurrent head of the PMS and Deputy Executive Secretary.
The irony is, after all the service Cardenas rendered, he was put to jail. Eki is now out on bail after being detained in Camp Crame for 75 days in connection with the Oakwood mutiny of July 27, 2003.
Apart from his stint in government, our bachelor was president of Xerox Philippines for five years. A cum laude graduate with honors in Economics from Ateneo University, 5’9" Eki went on to study economic planning and development in Cornell University. He now serves as a consultant in economics, managerial, organizational and behavioral advisory to a number of foreign companies.
What do you most value in your friends?
Integrity, honesty and industry. "IHI" in short…
Which living person do you admire most?
I am full of admiration for the courage and resiliency of Nelson Mandela, which he demonstrated during his 27 years of captivity. Because of what happened to me, and having experienced just an iota of what Mandela went through…
What did your dad often say to you?
The Japanese killed my father who was a medical doctor while my mother was pregnant with me. Dr. Maximo Brillantes Cardenas was a war hero. And for me, his death in Bataan was the loudest message he gave to me – to fight for what is right in the service of our fellow men.
What is your passion?
Service unto others… By getting involved in government service, which is public service and giving time for NGOs and foundations that cater especially to the needy – for example, the Sariling Sikap Inc. foundation and Ateneo Scholarship foundation, among others
What is your most fervent wish?
The healing of our nation and its immediate recovery. For our country to be able to fulfill the needs of the poverty-stricken areas of our country.
How do you resolve your conflicts?
By prayer and by communicating with the persons with whom the conflict exists. Where direct communication is not possible, I go through disinterested or unbiased third parties.
What sports do you like most?
Having gone through angioplasty, I can no longer have the pleasure or leisure of the sports that I like.
What is your greatest fear?
The devil and his agents that roam the world.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Hypocrisy and deceit… Dishonesty…
What is your motto?
"Stumbling blocks are the best stepping stones to success."
What is your current state of mind?
Optimism despite the troubled world around me because of my faith in God.
If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?
To overhaul the economic, social and political values in our country. Greed and acquisitiveness end up in abuse of political power. Honesty versus corruption, justice versus injustice.
What is your greatest extravagance?
The basics of survival.
Name a moment that brings back happy memories.
My days from grade school to college in the Ateneo.
What is your favorite journey?
My journey to perfection, which I cannot seem to reach.
What is your favorite occupation?
Practicing my applied economics in contrast to the so-many economic theoreticians who claim to have the ability to solve the problems of our country.
What is your greatest regret?
That today our country has deteriorated from its development position in the ‘60s to what it is now when ranked against the SE Asian nations.
What do you most do with your hands?
Soil them in work and purify them in prayer.
Name an embarrassing moment at work?
Going around office with my fly open. No one called my attention until one of the security guards told me.
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