FVR: A distinguished gentleman

Fidel V. Ramos will be remembered long and by many. FVR will be known in history books as one of the key players of the world’s first bloodless revolution in modern time.

His legacy extends to countless Filipinos because he changed the course of Philippine history.

As president, his record of most number of foreign travels has yet to be broken. That’s foreign diplomacy in action.

His tireless work ethic – starting work early and ending late – was borne out of his military training, especially at West Point.

During his travels abroad, he would sneak past his PSGs and roam around the airplane cabin to interact with other passengers – yes, he travels commercial flights.

He may be strict but he was certainly congenial.

Many golfers definitely have their share of stories at the greens. He plays not for competition but for fun.

As the country’s 12th president from 1992 to 1998, he was said to be the driving force behind the renewed investor confidence in the country. During his time, the Philippines was recognized as a budding “tiger economy.”

Before becoming president, he served under Pres. Cory Aquino as chief-of-staff of the AFP.

He then became the Defense Secretary before he ran for the highest position in the land.

Among Ramos’ brainchild were the Philippine Army’s Special Forces and the PNP Special Action Force.

He considered the presidency as an honor and a privilege which served as a feather to his cap.

Ramos attended the US Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1950. He was a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea and saw combat during the Korean War.

He was a civil engineer by profession and earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois in 1951.

He earned another master’s degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines in 1969 and an MBA from Ateneo de Manila University in 1980.

He released a book titled “Silver Linings: The Continuing Saga of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution” in February 2019.

He relished the adulation of ordinary Filipinos wherever he went, while his tireless work ethic when he was in office created new standards for government employees.

The man, the general, the President truly made his mark. He has set down his cigar one final time.