Celebrated military official, statesman, revolutionary hero. President Fidel V. Ramos passed away Sunday, July 31. Tatler Philippines remembers the legacy he leaves behind
The country is mourning the death of former President Fidel V. Ramos, who died on Sunday, July 31, at the age of 94.
Ramos served as the Republic of the Philippines’ 12th president, with a term that lasted from 1992 to 1998. Elected at 64, his term saw stability and economic growth restored to the Philippines. His optimism and “Kaya natin” (we can do it) mentality were a source of hope to his countrymen and inspired a push for progress.
Born on March 18, 1928, Ramos was the son of a lawmaker. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 1950. He went on to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois in 1951, where he earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering.
Commended by many as the best economic manager the Philippines ever had, the country’s economy flourished under his leadership, bouncing back from the financial crisis of 1997 and successfully shedding its reputation as “the sick man of Asia.” With his supervision, the Philippine economy was steered towards an annual growth of five per cent.
During his presidency, peace came to Mindanao, as the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) finally signed a peace agreement in 1997. Ramos and Nur Misuari, MNLF Chair, were awarded the 1997 UNESCO Peace Prize.
A career military man, he rose through the ranks to become the chief of the Philippine Constabulary, then went on to become the vice chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the time of the late President Ferdinand E Marcos. He played a vital role in the success of the EDSA People Power revolution, and was then named AFP chief-of-staff by the late President Corazon Aquino from 1986 to 1988, then was appointed as secretary of national defence and served from 1988 to 1991.
See also: EDSA Revolution: A Look Back At The Historic 1986 People Power
