Steady Eddie
/
Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (Photo by Robert D. Ward, U.S. Department of Defense)
When news of the demise of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) came out last weekend, many took to social media to post pictures with and/or pay tribute to the man. One of the most heartfelt ones was that of writer (and many things besides) Jose "Butch" Dalisay, Jr. who had ghost-written about 600 of the president's speeches. The Chief Executive and the speechwriter never met until much later when the presidency was over, and FVR became arguably the most visible and accessible ex-president to many people.
Though credited with having presided over a six-year period of relative peace and economic stability, President FVR's legacy is nonetheless tainted with issues he was accused of doing and not doing. What is unquestionable, however, was his commitment to restoring and preserving Philippine democracy, during the 1986 People Power Revolt and through the many coup attempts against the Cory Aquino administration thereafter.
His role in the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship has assured him an indelible place in the roster of Philippine contemporary heroes. He was Steady Eddie, the veteran military commander who managed the rebel troop movements and the crucial psy-ops (his expertise) who helped win the day and ensured that Cory Aquino (as opposed to the civilian-military junta favored by the "other one") took over as President.
During one coup attempt against the Aquino government months later, FVR, who was already the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, couldn't be found by the media the night before and on the day of the alleged coup. It turned out that he was crisscrossing the country, visiting military camps and secretly meeting with the commanders to get their assurance that any troop movement in support of the coup would be quelled.
Say what you will of President FVR. He was no saint, but there's no irrefutable proof that he was a villain either.
This Week’s Stories
The President And His PaperMate By Jose Dalisay
[This Makes Us Smile] Freeway Marker Honors Late Fil-Am Leader Alice Bulos By Cherie M. Querol Moreno
Ricky Lee’s Life Is The Stuff Of Cinema-Verite By Pablo A. Tariman
Six Or Seven Meals A Day By Ralph Semino Galán
[Webinar Video] A Murder Most Foul (The Celine Archive)
[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Fish Tocino By Rene Astudillo
[Video of the Week] Family Feud Hosts Easter Sunday’s Jo Koy
In The Know
Jo Koy shines light on family & culture in ‘Easter Sunday’ comedy
https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/08/01/jo-koy-shines-light-on-family-culture-in-easter-sunday-comedy/?fbclid=IwAR03fnMGqmlu34ExjMQuW5p6GDCb1fT-8FbcX7xKE3llNPbwOIo-XZOAfiI
A popular Filipino restaurant gets on a Netflix show. What happens next
https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2022-08-01/dollar-hits-historic-filipinotown-los-angeles-essential-california?fbclid=IwAR0iyvzHfnhZ3bmm0iSIxAB20q7lCzteoaJtYfZohigI5lowf-6G661x5v4
3-M calls reporting child sex trafficking during pandemic in PHL
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/08/01/3-m-calls-reporting-child-sex-trafficking-during-pandemic-in-phl/?fbclid=IwAR2-wDOcCoiilj0-xlnH9qQI4lb4UriIqKzObDzNO-BMBjk4zYqnH1tDwk4
The best Philippines islands: a local’s guide to the 10 prettiest islands
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/philippines-islands?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_social-type=owned&utm_brand=conde-nast-traveller-uk&fbclid=IwAR2NFA-L2DRhcdk3x5pSgktUjHAE1JZMm8vcHjD5sUOpsTB8t0Ty5GsfB94
From U.S. Prison to CEO of His Own Company: The Redemption of Sergio Syjuco
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/sergio-syjuco-CEO-excalibur-builders-a2017-20220523-lfrm4?ref=article_featured
Seed planted in SF State MBA program grows into mini-Filipino food empire
https://news.sfsu.edu/news-story/seed-planted-sf-state-mba-program-grows-mini-filipino-food-empire
Viral: His realistic miniature shanties were inspired by his former life as a batang riles
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/24/22/making-miniature-shanties-was-his-way-out-of-depression?fbclid=IwAR1ytLsHLrN1nbXH7jECQA847UGwbWriQT34ihnIvqwATaGyhlejB9doOE0
Bibingka Ranks 13th in the World’s Best 50 Cakes
https://sugbo.ph/2022/bibingka-ranks-worlds-best/?fbclid=IwAR3mHhV95-t8PLQkhB5sjPCHf-68T89LAvVZi_YtKhVo51CEgOaDnn_Tpfo
