“FVR believed in systems, hard work, industry but most of all, he loved our country the most”
ON MARCH 18, we marked what would have been the 98th birthday of President Fidel V. Ramos—a soldier, statesman, reformer, and, for some of us, a mentor whose lessons continue to guide both our professional work and personal journey.
For me, this is not just a commemoration. It is a moment of gratitude.
I had the rare privilege of working closely with FVR over the years—writing, documenting, and helping preserve his legacy through no less than 18 books for him, his family, and the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation.
Those were not just publishing projects. They were windows into the mind of a leader who lived by discipline, clarity, and purpose.
Through those years of collaboration, one thing became unmistakably clear: FVR did not believe in accidental success. He believed in systems, hard work, industry but most of all, he loved our country the most.
One of his most enduring principles was Completed Staff Work (CSW)—a discipline he practiced with almost military precision.
Under CSW, no problem is elevated without corresponding solutions. No recommendation is made without thorough study. It was not enough to identify issues; one had to present executable answers. In today’s climate—where opinions are often louder than preparation—CSW feels like a lost art worth rediscovering.
Closely linked his legacy are invaluable Filipino traits and values namely Caring, Sharing , Daring (CSD). To quote FVR, “Caring, sharing and daring are among the key commitments that have worked us in times of challenge, calamity and crisis in the past. These virtues I manifested in our daily lives and profession, and embedded in our governance will enable the Filipinos to win a better future.”
And then there was his lifelong mantra: UST—Unity, Solidarity, Teamwork. He did not just preach it—he lived it.
Whether in the military, in Malacañang, or in his post-presidency engagements, FVR understood that no meaningful progress can be achieved in isolation. Nation-building, for him, was always a shared endeavor. UST was not rhetoric; it was operational doctrine.
FVR said it best about UST: “If things are to be set aright, it can only be through constructive engagement of citizens and leaders that this will happen – by insuring our collective unity of purpose, solidarity in values and team work in nation building (U-S-T). Filipinos should accept that we can fulfill our hopes and win the future – only if we ourselves exert best efforts and sacrifice for them to attain the common good.”
These principles shaped not only his leadership, but also those of us fortunate enough to learn from him.
I recall countless hours reviewing manuscripts, refining narratives, and ensuring that every published work reflected not just the milestones of his life, but the values behind them. He was exacting but never unreasonable. Demanding but always fair.
He pushed for excellence especially with his indelible red pen —not for recognition, but for integrity of output. That was FVR’s trademark.
Beyond the titles and achievements, FVR remained deeply human with his funny and corny jokes. On the golf course, he found camaraderie and clarity.
In conversations, he was sharp yet warm. In moments of reflection, he always returned to service—service to country, service to people, and service beyond self.
Even after his presidency, he never stepped away from the national conversation. He put up the Ramos Peaee and Development Foundation (RPDEV).
He remained engaged both nationally and itnernationally, offering insights on governance, security, economic reform, and civic responsibility. He understood that leadership does not end with position—it evolves into stewardship.
Today, as we face a world filled with uncertainty and rapid change, the FVR model of leadership offers a steady anchor namely: a) Discipline over impulse; b) Preparation over posturing; and, c)
Unity over division.
At 98, we are not merely remembering a man. We are reaffirming a framework for nation-building and the path to win a better future for the Philippines.
For those of us who had the honor of working with him, his lessons remain deeply embedded—not just in the books we produced, but in the way we approach our own responsibilities.
As I continue my work in environmental advocacy through the Million Trees Foundation, I often find myself returning to his teachings. CSW reminds us to match vision with execution. CSD keeps us grounded as Filipinos. UST calls us to bring people together for a common cause.
These are not relics of the past. They are tools for the future.
Happy 98th birthday, Mr. President.
Thank you for the trust, the mentorship, and the enduring lessons.
Your voice may no longer echo in the halls of power, but it continues to resonate in the work of those you have inspired.
And in every challenge we face, we hold on to your quiet but powerful assurance:
Kaya Natin Ito!!!
(The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)
