Philippines’ ex-president Fidel Ramos: The man who rose before dawn and toiled 'til midnight

BIRTHPLACE: Former president Fidel Valdez Ramos (popularly known as FVR and Eddie Ramos), died on Sunday at the age of 94. He was born in Lingayen, Pangasinan on March 18, 1928, and grew up in Asingan town. He received elementary education in a Lingayen public school, began secondary education at the University of the Philippines High School in Manila, and continued in the High School Department of Mapúa Institute of Technology. He graduated high school from Centro Escolar University Integrated School in 1945. 


PARENTS: His father, Narciso Ramos (above, 1900–1986), was a lawyer, journalist and five-term legislator of the House of Representatives. Narciso Ramos, who rose to the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and was the Philippine signatory to the Asean declaration forged in Bangkok in 1967, and was a founding member of the Liberal Party. His mother, Angela Valdez (1905–1978), was an educator and member of the respected Valdez clan of Batac, Ilocos Norte, thus making Fidel a second-degree cousin to former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

EDUCATION: Ramos went to the US Military Academy at Westpoint, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Military Engineering degree. He also earned his master's degree in civil engineering at the University of Illinois and later took Civil Engineering Board Exam in 1953, where he placed 8th overall. Ramos also held a master's degree from the National Defense College of the Philippines and an MBA from Ateneo de Manila University. In addition, he received a total of 29 honorary doctorate degrees.

MILITARY MAN: Ramos was the only career military officer who reached the rank of five-star general, rising from second lieutenant up to commander-in-chief of the Philippine armed forces. He was a member of the Philippines' 20th Battalion Combat Team of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) that fought in the Korean War. He was an Infantry Reconnaissance Platoon Leader. He was also credited with the creation of the Philippine Army's Special Forces and the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.

VISIONARY: Ramos has been described as a "visionary" public servant and a "true icon" of Philippine development. While he was trained as a soldier, and proficient in the art of war, he was a relentless peacemaker, who used diplomacy in forging peace deals with anti-government forces.

CHALLENGE-SEEKER, INNOVATOR: Fidel Ramos is sworn in as the 12th President of the Philippines on June 30, 1992. Ramos is remembered for steadfastly promoting the principles of people empowerment and global competitiveness. In 1993, he put an end to the power crisis that crippled Filipino homes and industries for two years. He also introduced the “area subdivision scheme”, creating 10 telephone companies with international partners, and brought satellite telephone services to the country remotest islands for the first time.

COALITION BUILDER: Ramos is known as a coalition-builder. In 1991, he co-founded the Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party, alongside then Senator Raul Manglapus. When he became president, he vigorously worked with the private sector, instituting reforms that enabled the Philippines to experience growth rates of up to 9 percent annually, and enjoy annual budget surpluses well into his tenure.

EMPOWERMENT: Ramos is credited for steadfastly promoting the principles of people empowerment and global competitiveness. In 1993, he put an end to the power crisis that crippled Filipino homes and industries for two years. He also introduced the area “subdivision scheme”, mandated phone interconnection, intensified competition among phone operators and, for the firs time, brought satellite telephone services to the country’s remotest islands.

FROM THE TRENCHES OF KOREA TO MALACANANG: Ramos was honoured for his bravery in war and being industrious in work. He was the “Steady Eddie” who led by infectious and inspiring example, from the trenches of Korea, to the corridors of Malacañang. Whether in the battlefield or in the bureaucracy, he was daring in deeds and bold in thinking.

BOT CHAMPION: Ramos took over from Corazon Aquino (left) in 1992. Under Ramos’ watch, the Build-Operate-Transfer law was enacted. It was a brainchild of his administration and is now known as Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in which private money is used to fund public projects. It was a "game-changing" measure that enabled the government to pursue big-ticket projects that are beneficial to Filipinos.

FIRST IN, LAST OUT: When Ramos became president in 1992, it was during a time when the country was reeling from the devastation of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and the big Baguio earthquake aftermath. It was a time protected interests crushed competition and denigrated public service, and when civil strife set back growth. The former president was known for of "rising before dawn and toiling ‘til midnight", the first man in and the last man out of the office.