No retreat for workaholics

On his 95th birth anniversary last March 18 this year, the memories and legacies of the late President Fidel Valdez Ramos (FVR) were immortalized in a digital library that is now accessible to the public online. The family, relatives, erstwhile Cabinet officials, friends and close associates in the police, the military and the civilian bureaucracy all came to witness the launching of the online FVR Presidential Library.

It is a digital library that illustrates and documents both the personal life and leadership journey of FVR through the years. The launching of the FVR Presidential Library culminated the years of painstaking collections of the various milestones and achievements “by a President who remains admired and respected for his unparalleled service and contributions to nation building,” according to Finance Secretary Roberto “Bobby” de Ocampo.

As one of the key economic advisers then of ex-President Ramos, De Ocampo sits as the chairman of the board of the RPDev Foundation that funded this digital library project. De Ocampo officially recognized and thanked the donors of this project led by Ayala Corp. and San Miguel Corp. for their “unqualified support” to FVR’s envisioned digital library.

De Ocampo confessed the FVR Online Presidential Library was actually the “pioneering initiative” of no less than President Ramos himself, “who envisioned a complete repository of images, documents, videos and memorabilia that chronicle his journey from soldier to statesman and through various leadership roles as his country emerged from the Cold War.”

Hewing close to FVR traditional protocols, inter-faith ecumenical prayers ceremonially started the event held at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Padre Burgos Avenue in Ermita, Manila. Former First Lady Amelita Ramos, joined by her grandchildren, attended the ceremonial launch of the FVR Presidential Library as a first of its kind here in the Philippines.

Speaking on behalf of the entire family, the 95-yearold widow of FVR thanked all those who organized and attended the launching rites for the online presidential library, said to be the first one of its kind in Southeast Asia.

She was joined by the couple’s five daughters (except for Josephine Ramos-Sammartino who earlier succumbed to cancer in July, 2011) and their grown-up grandchildren. The five of the eight Ramos grandchildren stood behind the widow.

The “apos” in attendance were, namely, Leann Sembrano with brother CJ (of Chula Ramos and Alex Sembrano); Sergio Samartino (son of Jo Ramos and Lloyd Samartino); Sam Ramos-Jones (son of Angel Ramos and Norman Jones); Bryan Jalasco (son of Cristy Ramos and Freddie Jalasco); and Adrienne (daughter of Marge). The two other children of Cristy, namely, Patrick and Jelly who are both living abroad, failed to attend.

“The faith we place in humanity is the driving force that motivates and inspires us to contribute to that ideal of a country where every one  – leaders and the people – work together towards a better, brighter and sustainable future. We do this for our children, for our families, for our communities, for our nation, and for generations after us,” Mrs. Ramos pointed out.

“This is what President Ramos worked tirelessly to achieve. He believed that only through collective action will we realize the highest of our hopes and dreams,” she stressed.

During her late husband’s presidency, Mrs. Ramos did not leave her work as director of the International School, her passion for badminton as favorite sport, and playing the organ and piano. Up close and personal, it was Mrs. Ramos who shared her husband’s dreams for the country. She capped the launch of her late husband’s digital library by playing on the organ some of FVR’s favorite Tagalog love songs. While she played the organ, a LED-screen behind her showed chrome photographs of the young and old FVR and video footages of various official activities and trips across the Philippines and abroad while the 12th President of the Republic did his job.

“His (FVR) legacy of peace and stability; reforms that transformed our country into Asia’s Tiger Cub, earning the respect of leaders of other nations and its peoples; a working democracy that engendered people empowerment where power flowed to neighborhoods, communities, sectors and institutions; and a renewed sense of pride in being a Filipino,” the former First Lady stressed.

“As we gather in this historic hall to commemorate his (FVR) 95th birth anniversary, and witness the launch of a pioneering project which he started in 2016, I believe that he is with us in spirit, beaming with pride and joy watching our friends, partners, and family in lively and meaningful conversation,” Mrs. Ramos cited.

“He loved this country and dedicated his life to serving his motherland. Unity, solidarity and teamwork – those were his words and that is what I witness today,” the former First Lady enthused.

Indeed true. For many of us Malacanang reporters who covered FVR during his six-year term at the presidency, those three words – “unity, solidarity and teamwork”– were like mantra incantations that always capped his spiels whenever and wherever he delivered his speeches here and abroad. Known as his battle cry, FVR called it “UST” which stood for the first letters of these three words.

Having covered the FVR presidency, history has proven he was indeed a man ahead of his time with his time-bound visions and missions for the country. He passed away on July 22 last year after seeing some of his visions for the Philippines turned to reality.

The first ever-elected president who was a Protestant by religious affiliation, we flew with FVR to cover his ultimate official trip at the White House in April 1998 which fell on a Holy Week. Known for his globetrotting travels to pitch the country as investments and tourism destination, FVR was toiling to give better lives for Filipinos while the Christian world observed the Lenten period.

There’s no retreat for workaholics like FVR.

Have a blessed Holy Week.