(Screengrab from Facebook)
MANILA – Former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) celebrated his 94th birthday on Friday by unveiling the online FVR Presidential Library, the first and only online presidential library so far in the country today.
A preview of the online presidential library was shown on the internet wherein former Cabinet members, among them former Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo and former Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita spoke of the legacy of Ramos as a reformer, builder, peacemaker, and statesmen.
The live streaming can be viewed on The FVR Legacy Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheFVRLegacy.
Also on Friday, a book titled “Behind the Red Pen” written by PR & Communications executive Jojo Terencio, a former close-in writer in Malacanang, was launched. The book is edited by Iris Cecilia Gonzales of The Philippine Star.
“Behind the Red Pen” takes the readers back to some of the key events and personalities during the six-year FVR presidency from 1992-1998.
The book also features never-before-seen photos, and provides the readers the opportunity to know Ramos as a leader. It also gives the readers a glimpse of the former president’s private persona.
The title “Behind the Red Pen” gets its inspiration from FVR’s ubiquitous red pens, which he used since his military days to issue handwritten memoranda, marginal notes, and directives.
Ramos was the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998 at a time when the country, particularly Metro Manila, was gripped by power shortage he inherited from the previous administration.
Ramos, a retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff and former defense secretary, was able to address the power shortage in due time during his presidency.
He also resuscitated the economy by inviting foreign companies to invest in the Philippines.
He is known for his battle cry “Kaya natin ito” (We can do it), as an encouragement to the Filipinos to unite to help solve the country’s problems.
It was also during his incumbency that the Philippine government signed the historic peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Sept. 2, 1996. (PNA)
