24 HOURS WITH FIDEL V RAMOS: REMEMBERING THE ENIGMATIC 12th PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT
24 HOURS WITH FIDEL V RAMOS:
REMEMBERING THE ENIGMATIC 12TH PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT
Summary
President Fidel V Ramos (FVR) – the 12th Philippine President – was our keynote speaker for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Conference (BEC2013). Co-organized by the Palawan State University (PSU) on 16-17 December 2013 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, BEC2013 served as the BIMP-EAGA sub-region’s platform to present new research, exchange information, and discuss emergent issues. As then PSU’s Vice President for Research and Extension, I acted as FVR’s aide-de-camp and simultaneously orchestrated BEC2013. Ten years later, I share here my introspection about my up-close interaction with this legendary leader. I have contextualized some insights in relation to Robert Greene’s book The 48 Laws of Power.
1. A Provocative Question as Context
Have you ever been assigned to directly take care of your country’s former head of state as the most honored guest? I am referring to the national political leadership stature of a former President or a Prime Minister. If yes, you can readily relate to this blog. If not, this article remains an interesting piece.
Our academic institution, the Palawan State University (PSU), organized the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Conference or BEC. Held on 16-17 December 2013 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines, this event was called as BEC2013. We invited President Fidel V Ramos (Figure 1) – the 12th president of the Republic of the Philippines – to serve as the conference’s keynote speaker. (I use here President Ramos and FVR, his popular moniker, interchangeably.)
As the PSU’s then Vice President (VP) for Research and Extension, I was given two marching orders. The first order was to serve as FVR’s aide-de-camp. (Since he was a former general, I adopted the French term ‘aide-de-camp’ in lieu of the conventional ‘personal assistant’, ‘secretary’ or ‘gatekeeper’.) The second order was to orchestrate BEC2013. Both tough assignments!
Although this 2013 conference transpired almost a decade ago, I now have a chance to ponder about this extraordinary event. Not many Filipinos were afforded 24 hours of intensely personal interaction with FVR, and therefore, I believe that such a historic encounter is worth publicly sharing. As part of my introspection, I use Robert Greene’s 1998 book titled The 48 Laws of Power to contextualize a few of these insights. (An American author, Robert Greene’s six best-selling books deal about power, seduction and strategies, including the highly-acclaimed The Art of Seduction.) I present the events in chronological order, which are embellished with selected photos.
2. Synopsis of President Ramos
Born on 18 March 1928, FVR (Box 1) hailed from northern Luzon’s municipality (politically equivalent to a district) of Lingayen in the province (equivalent to a state) of Pangasinan. With impeccable academic credentials, not many are aware that he landed top 8 in the Civil Engineering Board Exam in 1953. By 1954, FVR married the former Amelita ‘Ming’ Martinez, and their union was blessed with five daughters. He later graduated at the West Point in the US where only a select few Filipinos qualify to undergo military schooling. Later on, he received over 20 honorary doctorate degrees.
Box 1. Profile of Philippine President Fidel V Ramos.
12th President of the Philippines
· Term of Office: June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998
· Preceded by: Corazon Aquino
· Succeeded by: Joseph Estrada
Major government positions:
· Secretary of National Defense (January 22, 1988 – July 18, 1991)
· Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (February 25, 1986 – January 21, 1988)
· Chief of the Philippine Constabulary (1972 – February 25, 1986)
Academic qualifications:
· B.S. in Civil Engineering – National University in Manila
· B.S. in Military Engineering – United States Military Academy, 1950
· M.S. in Civil Engineering – University of Illinois, 1951
· Master of National Security Administration – National Defense College of the Philippines, 1969
· Master of Business Administration – Ateneo de Manila University, 1980
Sources: https://rpdev.org/about-fidel-v-ramos/biography; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidel_V._Ramos/
For his military career, FVR rose from the rank (2nd Lieutenant in 1951) with a sterling record of obtaining the highest four-star general rank when he became the Chief of Staff in 1986. He saw combats within the country, such as the Hukbalahap insurgency and the Battle of Marawi in 1972. Overseas, he participated in both the Korean War (1951–1952) and Vietnam War (1966–1968). After his political stint in 1998, though, FVR has remained active in the country’s affairs.
[Law 25: Re-create Yourself – FVR has re-created himself by being relevant despite the end of his formal power as the 12th Philippine President. He has been in the news, until lately, being consulted on several crucial national issues and international concerns that affect the Philippines. Quoting from Greene, he re-created “himself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience.”]
3. BIMP-EAGA Overview
To understand BEC2013 better, let me provide first an overview of BIMP-EAGA and FVR’s role in this sub-regional organization. As his brainchild, he introduced the concept in 1992 to his three counterpart heads of states: (1) President Mohammed Suharto of Indonesia; (2) Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam; and (3) Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad. (Among four of them, only Sultan Bolkiah has remained in office.) The three leaders bought his idea of BIMP-EAGA as a sub-regional collaboration among the four-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Their endorsements paved the way for the BIMP-EAGA’s formal establishment during its inaugural meeting on 24-26 March 1994 of senior officials and ministers in Davao City, Philippines.
The BIMP-EAGA was intended to accelerate the economic development of the focus areas that lagged behind the development pace of other regions. Simply told, it was designed to address the socio-economic development of far-flung and marginalized areas and was likewise intended to narrow the development gaps across and within the sub-region. Comprising the four focus areas (Figure 2) are the: (1) entire Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam; (2) Irian Jaya, Maluku, Gorontalo and all the provinces of Kalimantan and Sulawesi in Indonesia; (3) states of Sabah and Sarawak and the federal territory of Labuan in Malaysia; and (4) Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines.
Covering a land area of some 1.6 million square kilometers (2013 demographics of 70 million population), these four focus areas are geographically distant from the primary capital cities. Given these areas’ spatial proximity, the BIMP-EAGA was deemed pivotal in promoting the sub-regional cooperation. Further, the initiative was envisioned as a mechanism to restore the strong socio-cultural affinity and active economic links that date back pre-colonial time. Brunei and Malaysia used to be UK’s colonies while Indonesia was once ruled by the Dutch. Meanwhile, the Philippines had a succession of three colonial rulers: Spain, US and Japan.
As an economic block, the BIMP-EAGA is likened to a mini–European Union with its vision “to realize socially acceptable and sustainable economic development and the full participation of the BIMP-EAGA sub-region in the ASEAN development.” Its three key objectives are as follows: (1) to increase intra- and extra-trade among EAGA focus areas; (2) to increase investments in the EAGA sub-region by 10%; and (3) to increase tourism arrivals in the EAGA sub-region. Hinged on a strong public-private partnership mechanism, the BIMP-EAGA espouses a market-driven economy with the public sector’s role as more of a facilitator.
4. BIMP-EAGA Conference 2013
The BIMP-EAGA Conference or (BEC) serves as the platform for local and international participants to present new research, exchange information, and discuss emergent issues and trends in the BIMP-EAGA region. It is held every three years and is being rotated among the four participating countries. The Philippines had its turn for 2013.
Our school (PSU) was assigned to organize the BEC2013 (Figure 3). The event was co-organized with the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), a higher education institution which is based in Kota Kinabalu. With the theme “Strengthening Sub-regional Socio-economic, Institutional and Environmental Cooperation: Towards ASEAN Community by 2015,” BEC2013 was a big Philippine event (with some foreign participants) that was endorsed by both the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC).
I was designated as the Chair of the Organizing Committee – meaning I was the de facto overall overseer. Aside from being FVR’s aide-de-camp, I simultaneously orchestrated the entire conference in collaboration with UMS. Although I had experienced being the lead organizer role in my previous international job – the event being the Regional Workshop on Integrated Coastal Zone Planning and Management in ASEAN: Lessons Learned held in Brunei in 1992 – FVR’s inclusion in my chores was the assignment that had made me quite apprehensive!
5. Prelude to the Conference
As part of the preparation, Atty. Joselito Alisuag (then PSU’s VP for Administration and Finance) and I went to UMS in early 2013 to confer with our counterparts. (Atty. Alisuag is now the CHED Regional Director for the MIMAROPA region.) Dr. Awangku Hassanal Bahar bin Pengiran Bagul was our key contact. (Dr. Hassanal is now an Associate Professor and Head, Tourism Management Program, Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy of UMS, who claimed that BEC2013 was “one of the most beautifully organized conference that he has ever attended”.) Among others, we discussed the conference logistics, mechanics of call for papers, and the BEC2013 websites for both universities.
Although most conference preparations were going well as planned, there was one major hitch. President Ramos did not respond to our formal invitation letter, and thus, we had no keynote speaker! We also used the backdoor channel to connect to him – meaning intermediaries close to him, such as former co-workers in the military and the defense department. Result: nothing definitive or conclusive. As Chair of the BEC2013 Organizing Committee, I began to get worried. To be quite honest, panic had started to creep into my subconscious.
Just when I thought FVR was not at all interested, there was an unexpected call in August 2013 while I was at our rented apartment in Quezon City, Metro Manila. During that hot afternoon, I was getting ready for my flight to Puerto Princesa City. With my shirt on but was still in my underwear, I was literally pulling my pants up when my mobile phone rang. What registered was a landline call from an unfamiliar number.
When I answered it using my right hand, the female voice at the other end said that she was from the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, Inc. (RPDev). Briefly, RPDev was President Ramos’ non-profit organization that is based in Makati City. She then added that “Sir wants to talk to you.” I thought that she was simply referring to a senior male officer of RPDev.
Note that I had never met President Ramos in person before. Nonetheless, I saw him from a distance on various occasions, and heard him speak in television, radio, and conferences. His last speech that I personally witnessed was at the East Asian Seas Congress held at the Manila’s Philippine International Convention Center in November 2009. Thus, his voice was roughly familiar.
When I heard the unmistakable voice at the landline, I was momentarily shocked, flabbergasted, and unable to speak. It was President Ramos himself – the very important person (VIP) we had been chasing all along! Involuntarily, my left hand released my grip to the pants that eventually fell down on the floor. Alas, I was literally talking to him with just my shirt and underwear. Literally, it was FVR’s maiden call (Figure 4) that pulled my pants down!
From what I recall, his introductory statement was: “Dr. Michael Pido, I just saw the PSU letter that invited me to be the keynote speaker for BEC2013. Since you are indicated as the contact person, I want to know the specifics of this invitation.” Hearing that, I nervously explained to him about the conference objectives and its relevance to the BIMP-EAGA initiatives.
FVR then asked why he was chosen to be the keynote speaker, indicating that he was already an old man. (At that time, he was already 84 years old.) I responded that he was the prime mover of the BIMP-EAGA initiative, and thus, he deserved to be our guest of honor. “In that case, you prepare my speech on what you want me to say,” he responded with a formal tone.
I clarified if his words meant that he had already accepted our invitation. FVR nonchalantly said these words: “You must do first what I have asked you to do, and then we would proceed from there.” I responded that I will dutifully undertake his assigned speech. His parting words were: “Very well then, Dr. Pido.” And then I heard the click as he hanged up the phone.
[Law 20: Do Not Commit to Anyone – FVR did not verbally commit to me that he was accepting our invitation. We also did not receive any formal, written reply to the PSU’s letter to him. Upon completion of his required speech, we transmitted it to RPDev contacts with whom we continuously communicated. We only learned near the actual event date that he was finally coming. Originally, he would fly-in and fly-out on 16 December 2013 but decided at the last minute to stay until the next day.]
I was in a daze for a few minutes after that phone conversation. I simply could not believe my incredibly good fortune. I was so jubilant, feeling I was a VIP myself. Imagine, a former President of the Republic of the Philippines personally calling me who is just a senior state university administrator!
When my wife Lita came upstairs, I told her that President Ramos has just called me. As usual, she reacted with a blank expression on her face. Shrugging her shoulders, she simply told me to dress up fully so I could leave in time to catch my flight. After that phone conversation, I never heard from FVR again.
Nonetheless, I coordinated through his RPDev staff about his speech assignment and itinerary. Speaking of itinerary, I sent to RPDev his draft itinerary for FVR’s review. I experienced first-hand that FVR indeed read documents. It is known in the circle that he perennially holds a red pen and makes an annotation on what he reads. My document came back to me with his trademark red ink (Figure 5).
The conference preparations (including the intricate details of President Ramos’ trip) got me quite busy particularly during the penultimate day of 15 December 2013. The only last-minute message from RPDev was that President Ramos would be accompanied by MSgt. Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Ancheta plus a list of his former associates in Palawan that he would like to meet. I was so excited with FVR’s arrival that I barely slept. At 0200, I was still awake and was continuously reviewing his itinerary – as well as his biodata – including my hand-written notes of the personal questions that I intend to ask him.
6. Encounter and Surprises at Airport
After a breakfast meeting with my BEC2013 colleagues about the day’s event, I proceeded to the airport at about 0800. I used the private vehicle that was specifically designated for FVR: a big eight-seater car driven by an enlisted man. I was its sole passenger and leading the way were four motorcycle cops from the Philippine National Police (PNP). Directly behind us was a Western Command (WesCom) mini military truck loaded with fully-armed soldiers. So, this is a glimpse of a VIP security arrangement, I told myself.
Since I had a special access pass, I went straight to the airport’s VIP lounge where the contingent of the greeting party congregated. These well-wishers included the following: WesCom Commander Lt. Gen. Roy Devaraturda (a three-star general); Cdre. Mat Abinuman, Commander, Naval Forces in the West; Former WesCom Commander Cdre. Nick Hernandez (who loaned FVR’s vehicle); PSU President Jeter Sespeñe; and Director Art Ventura of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff. (I adopted the abbreviation ‘Cdre’ for a Commodore used in the US Navy system.)
Anticipation keeps your adrenaline flowing – the old saying goes – as I repeatedly glanced at the welcome tarpaulin outside (Figure 6). The tension continued to build up as the Cebu Pacific (CebuPac) Flight 5J637 that was supposed to touch down at 0925 got delayed. I called my colleagues to put the opening ceremony on hold until FVR had physically arrived at the A&A Plaza. The delay had kept me agitated as the scheduled conference activities were quite tight.
Finally, the plane touched down past 1000 and the Philippine Air Force band started to play its marching tunes. As Chair of BEC2013’s Organizing Committee, I led the party of greeters. I walked side-by-side with Lt. Gen. Devaraturda who represented the military sector while all the others were trailing behind us. Eventually, the two of us stood together at the base of the plane’s stair ramp.
When the plane’s door opened, the first passenger who came out was the smiling FVR. “There’s your man of the hour,” I mused to myself. He gently waved to the crowd amidst the band’s near-deafening sounds. Slowly, but very methodically with still a military bearing, he descended into the plane’s stairway (Figure 7) with Sgt. Ancheta right behind him. From my peripheral vision, I saw that Maj. Gen. Devaraturda gave a snappy salute when FVR was midway through the stairs. As he reached the tarmac, I first extended my right hand for a traditional handshake and said these words: “Good morning, President Ramos. My name is Michael Pido…”
As he clasped mine with his right hand, I was not able to fully express my self-introduction. His handshake was not only firm; rather, it was so overpowering that I started to feel a mixture of strain and pain in my right upper limb. Feeling such a powerful grip from an 84-year-old guy, I surmised that he was trying to test if I could handle the physical pressure of his handshake. FVR’s strength was quite astonishing considering that he was not physically imposing and – at about five feet and seven inches – we practically shared the same height.
But that was not the most surprising part. He pulled my right arm towards him and said in a somewhat half-whispering monotone: “I know who you are. I know everything about you!” Before I could react and figure out what he really meant, while still grasping my right hand, he slowly started to walk with me tailing behind him. To visually appreciate, you can visibly see in the photo how his right hand was pressing tightly on my right hand (Figure 8).
[Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions – I consider that FVR’s airport action as masterstroke. I absolutely had no idea what he was up to. To quote again from Greene: “Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions.” FVR had effectively used the element of surprise.]
Afterwards, FVR made a sharp, unexpected maneuver. His free left hand grabbed the right hand of Lt. Gen. Deveraturda for a photo op. Thus, he was literally sandwiched between the two of us (Figure 9). Note in the photo that his right hand was still clutching mine.
In seconds, he released both our hands and started to walk on his own. He briefly glanced around his surrounding as if he was measuring the distance of where I was in relation to his position and the crowd of airport greeters. Remember that FVR was a trained civil engineer; he has an acute sense of his surrounding, which is a paramount survival skill in the military.
Moments later, I lost him for the next few minutes in a sea of well-wishers, wanting to greet FVR and jockeying for position to get the best photo angle with him. I stood (Figure 10) there virtually motionless, as the small crowd whizzed through me, virtually ignoring me as a nobody. The ladies were either putting garlands or kissing him on the cheek while the gentlemen were shaking his right hand in succession.
Meantime, I introduced myself to Sgt. Ancheta who insouciantly stood beside me, and we briefly chatted about the upcoming activities. Amidst that introspection, when the greeters’ commotion and the photo ops had settled, FVR casually looked behind me. I took that as a cue to come beside him to proceed with our planned itinerary. This time, he said that he appreciated our warm airport reception, and that he liked the tunes being played by the Air Force Band. (Even while conversing casually, he always addressed me formally as either Dr. Pido or Dr. Mike.) With our upper limbs in physical contact, we slowly walked towards the airport terminal (Figure 11).
7. From Airport to Conference Venue
With me leading the way, we exited through the VIP lounge. All eyes were on him as we passed through. The CebuPac passengers, both out-going and in-coming, were in awe seeing FVR in person – and perhaps were wondering who was the bland guy in suit that was walking beside him!
Before we exited out of the airport terminal, he gently pulled me aside. In a fatherly tone, he said that I had to relax as we already undertook the necessary event preparations. He sensed that I was too anxious with his delayed arrival and my mind was quite hyperactive with other conference concerns. His words helped me to somehow calm down. FVR was an excellent reader of body languages.
We boarded our vehicle with me seating beside FVR in the center backseat. In the rear back seat was PSU President Sespeñe and my staff, Ms. Janet Funtilon, who served as our lead photographer. Sgt. Ancheta stayed in the front seat beside the driver. There were more vehicle security personnel to augment my earlier WesCom and PNP escorts. Once inside, our entourage moved towards A&A Plaza.
I pulled out his travel itinerary (see earlier Figure 5) with his red markings and briefed him about the upcoming activities. FVR said he would leave up to me to make the necessary time adjustments. Bottomline: plane delay and his presence need not disrupt the conference activities. President Ramos worked systematically and was always conscious of time. He also advised Sgt. Ancheta that all other matters must be coursed directly through me.
8. Keynote Address at Conference Venue
With the PSU crowd and a few dignitaries at the lobby, we arrived at the A&A Plaza around 1100 (Figure 12). FVR was jubilantly welcomed by the PSU Band. They were playing the Palawan March, a local musical composition that President Ramos probably never heard before.
In another unexpected move, upon embarking out of the car, he approached the playing band. And then he started to beat his hand as he listened intently, with singular focus to the music. FVR was looking briefly at each of the band members, who were undergraduate college students, as if saying thank you to everyone for warmly welcoming him. The scene was likened to the charismatic French General, Napoleon Bonaparte, who was listening to his marching band prior to his troop’s engagement.
I surmise that the band members were both mesmerized and energized to perform more jubilantly. They could not believe that a former Philippine President was listening, up close, during their live performance. Most probably later, they bragged incessantly with their friends about such an incredible encounter with FVR. He stayed there, his undivided attention only gazing at the band members, until the end of the second piece. President Ramos knew how to please the rank-and-file, the ‘little people’ so to speak.
All the other dignitaries were already seated at the conference hall’s presidential table when we arrived. The participants were likewise eagerly waiting for us. As soon as the door opened, the crowd stood up. Still on standing ovation, they started clapping, leading to a thunderous applause. FVR gently waved his hands as we slowly walked and climbed up the podium. Overall, the crowd were awed of his acknowledgement. I accompanied him at the presidential table up to his designated chair and gave him the copy of his speech in a folder. Before sitting down, he flashed his trademark sign: a thumbs up sign.
[Law 35: Master the Art of Timing – FVR walked to the podium leisurely but methodically, taking his time without hurrying. He epitomized what Greene describes as “never seem to be in a hurry”. And the conference crowd seemed to love him for such an impeccable timing in his grand entry. FVR knew how to effectively connect with a large audience.]
Among the dignitaries in the presidential table were Mayor Lucilo ‘Cecil’ Bayron (Figure 13) of Puerto Princesa City, Secretary Lualhati Antonino of Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) and Professor Dr. Shariff Abd. Kadir S. Omang Al-Haj, Deputy Vice Chancellor for academic and international affairs of UMS. (In the Philippine Presidential system patterned after the US, the secretary is equivalent to a minister under the parliamentary set-up.)
Just when I thought everything was in order, there was one unexpected hitch. In the original program, Secretary Antonino of MINDA was to provide only a brief message. Unexpectedly, she delivered a rather lengthy speech about BIMP-EAGA!
As she was delivering her message, FVR discreetly glanced at me sideways as two persons were between us. I picked up the query in his eyes why Secretary Antonino was already talking about certain parts of his keynote address. Feeling powerless, I simply shrugged my shoulders with two open hands relaying my body language that, “Mr. President, she did not communicate with us, and I never saw her speech. I am truly sorry, but this situation is now out of my control!”
After her talk, Cdre. Hernandez introduced FVR in his capacity as the Chairman of the Palawan BIMP-EAGA Business Council. Aside from my speech folder, he also brought into the lectern his own print out. I was truly amazed how he was able to adjust his keynote address (Figure 14), quickly skipping through the topics already covered by Secretary Antonino. Simply told, FVR was a master of adaptive management. In fact, he even affectionately acknowledged her using her nickname, Lu! President Ramos ended his keynote address by his trademark style of throwing away the speech papers that he was reading.
After his keynote address, some individuals and delegations requested for photo ops with FVR. Among them were the UMS delegation (Figure 15). Meanwhile, I advised my staff to have the other well-wishers line up at the lunch venue given that the presidential table need to be re-arranged for the noon’s conference proper. After the photo ops, the PSU group (Figure 16) briefly chatted with him about the ensuing activities.
9. Intimate Lunch with FVR
Among the well-wishers at the lunch area was Lulu Ilustre, her former Assistant Secretary at the Department of National Defense (DND) (Figure 17). President Ramos had masterfully reconnected with his social network. Due to the long line of FVR’s well-wishers, whom he all graciously entertained, our lunch was delayed to nearly 1300. Other dignitaries ate earlier on their own – as well as the other conference VIPs – who had to attend the technical sessions and/or paper presentations.
Such relative isolation turned favorable on my part, though. FVR and I practically shared the presidential lunch table on our own. That gave me also the bonus for a one-on-one photo op (Figure 18).
I took that golden opportunity to ask him questions on a variety of topics from a list I have prepared (Figure 19). I asked how he felt during the EDSA revolution, trying to get a first-hand insight. (FVR and then DND Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile were two key actors in that 1986 EDSA People Revolution that toppled the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.) I also asked his experiences during the 1952 Korean War where he was a military officer that was sent there as part of the Philippine contingent. For my introductory blog about North Korea, please click this link: https://huescribbler.com/the-fascinating-north-korea-part-1-a-prelude-to-an-unforgettable-country/.
I also queried FVR about his transition from being a military general to becoming the 12th Philippine President in 1992 and then being relegated to a plain citizen in 1998. I requested him to share his military and masteral degree schooling in the US. (No, I never dared ask FVR the tabloid gossip about the celebrity woman he was allegedly romantically linked with!) I was like a sponge who wanted to absorb as much as I could during that very limited and precious time encounter.
Surprisingly, he also asked in return about my chores as PSU’s VP for research and extension. I shared that my responsibilities included managing faculty and staff members, teaching environment-related courses, undertaking field works for research projects, and networking with institutional partners. He was a rather very attentive listener.
At the end of my incessant rambling, he posed a question that caught me off guard. FVR asked: “Can you do everything that you ask your subordinates to do?” While trying to compose my thoughts, he provided specific examples. He elucidated that if you ask your people to write publication papers, you must ensure that you publish yourself. You simply cannot bark orders although you are the boss in your unit. He added that although he commanded his underlings to do push-ups, he could perform more push-ups than anybody else. Indeed, FVR nailed down how to epitomize the leadership by example!
At that juncture, my staff discreetly approached our table to gently remind me that it was time to go to WesCom with the entourage of PSU President Sespeñe waiting downstairs. FVR concurred that we proceed given our modified schedule. As he stood up, he gave some parting words that I do remember up to this day. The essence was: “Dr. Pido, I want you to remember just one thing in this lunch conversation. To be a successful leader, do not command other people to perform a task that you cannot do yourself. Otherwise, you cannot earn the respect of your subordinates.” Then, he motioned to the door as a signal that it was time to leave.
10. Western Command Briefing
At WesCom, we were warmly welcomed by the military and civilian personnel headed by Lt. Gen. Deveraturda (Figure 20). Again, they requested for photo ops that included me in some initial shots (Figure 21). They followed the military protocol of coursing the request through me as President Ramos’ aide-de-camp. Later, I politely excused myself to give them an opportunity for exclusive souvenir photos with FVR among themselves.
Inside the WesCom headquarters, mainly the top brass composite military officers remained. After an initial social chat in the lounge area, I was requested to introduce BEC2013 and the purposes of FVR’s visit (Figure 22). Afterwards, they briefed him about the security situation in Palawan. The focus was on the hotly-contested and controversial South China Sea that we now call as the West Philippine Sea. I was truly amazed that President Ramos asked very insightful questions. FVR indeed was a wide reader, was updated with the latest information, and knew extremely well his geo-politics! FVR clearly exemplified an adherent of lifelong learning at such an advanced age.
11. PSU Main Campus Tour
Located at Tiniguiban Heights, FVR was welcomed by a PSU tarp banner at its main gate. President Ramos saw the clapping high school and undergraduate college students as our vehicle entered the gate (Figure 23). Some of them were waving the flags of the BIMP-EAGA four-member countries.
We first circled slowly around the PSU campus’ main ring road. To our surprise, FVR opened the sedan’s middle sliding door. With his left hand clutching inside the window area, he hanged himself outside the running car. Meanwhile, his right hand was waving with his signature thumbs up sign. It was a sight to behold: seeing an 84-year-old former Philippine president dangling in a slow-moving car! He was like the celebrated actor Jack Chan who was performing a martial art stunt.
Our vehicle stopped at the PSU landmark where we hold our regular flag ceremony. As soon as he got out of the vehicle, FVR was literally mobbed by the student crowd. They congregated around him; everyone wanted to have a photo-op with him (Figure 24). I surmised that they looked like adoring fans of their matinee movie idol! FVR spent some minutes walking around and casually conferring with these students. At times, I felt like a photo bomber as I was always captured in most FVR photos by simply tailing him!
[Law 43: Work on the hearts and mind of others – FVR was able to captivate the students’ mind during such a short encounter. He allowed them to hug him, to embrace him, and even the young ladies to kiss him! These young kids got what they wanted with him even for a brief moment. FVR generously shared his time and gave them what they wanted to socially experience – an up-close encounter with a former Philippine President!]
No to be outdone are some faculty members who joined the photo ops (Figure 25). FVR was a charismatic crowd drawer of youngsters.
12. Provincial Capitol Building Visit
After PSU at about 1630, we proceeded to the Provincial Capitol Building located in Junction 1 where another welcome tarp awaited him (Figure 26). FVR was warmly applauded by some political leaders and staff of the provincial government. Leading the welcoming party was Vice Governor Dennis Victorino Socrates (Figure 27). Again, we had a series of group and selected individual photo-ops. FVR was savvy enough to pay respects to the local politicians.
As FVR casually conversed with them, we proceeded to the gym. The exercising users were quite surprised that it was indeed President Ramos who visited him! Again, many requested photos with him. Someone in the crowd though said, “Mr. President, Can you please show as your signature push ups?”
He simply smiled and then virtually dropped like a log. Seemingly effortless, he started to perform push ups while the crowd started clapping. He did more than 30 before he got up – he was not even sweating! After some more exchanges of pleasantries, we went back to A&A Plaza around 1730. I then brought them to their rooms and advised them to rest and freshen up for the 1900 dinner-socials sponsored by the city government. President Ramos and Sgt. Ancheta took the two last rooms, facing each other, of the second floor.
13. Gala/Dinner Socials
As Chair of BEC2013 Organizing Committee, I conferred first with the committee chairs about the noon’s sessions and the preparatory updates for tomorrow’s culminating event. Then, I visited the venue of dinner-social event to ensure that everything was in order. The PSU live band members were already there practicing their numbers.
To my astonishment, a few high-ranking academic participants were there specifically waiting for me. Why? Because they wanted to have photo ops with FVR! Hence, I went back to FVR and advised him if he was willing to arrive early as some conference attendees wished to have some camera time with him. He just jovially responded with his thumbs up sign.
The three of us arrived at the dinner venue earlier than 1900. FVR was a celebrity with participants lining up requesting photo ops. I spent a quarter of an hour directing the photo sessions. He barely ate dinner and was more concerned in social chats with streams of well-wishers who continuously congregated around him.
Come social time, I saw a different FVR, who earlier astonishingly showed multiple personalities. He danced individually with a few charming ladies (Figure 28). And boy – he was a darn good and gracious dancer. I would say he held the hands of the pretty ladies quite well. A male colleague whispered that he had the eye of a Rudolf Valentino!
Moreover, he likewise danced as part of a crowd – including with the Malaysian CEO of the airline MasWings – with a tune of swing. President Ramos practically mingled with everyone in the dance floor.
FVR was practically game for all social activities. He was even dancing with the crowd upon receiving his souvenir tokens (Figure 30). I was tailing him most of the way although I also joined in a few actions.
[Law 37: Create compelling spectacles – For an octogenarian, FVR possessed an incredible, seemingly boundless energy. He seemed indefatigable. He fitted Greene’s description that “striking imagery and grand symbolic gestures create the aura of power.” President Ramos was an epitome of an outstanding social entertainer.]
Pondering from that close distance, I changed my preconceived impression prior to meeting him: ‘A highly intelligent – but a bland guy, if not an outright boring one’. Amidst that social celebration, it just dawned on me that he was a charismatic person in a peculiar way. For lack of better term, I would call it more of a ‘learned’ charisma.
I mean it’s more of he taught himself how to be a charismatic person although he is not a naturally warm person or a crowd-drawer so to speak. (The two spectacularly crowd-drawing Palawan politicians whom I met were the late Ramon ‘Monching’ Mitra, former speaker of the House of Representatives, and the late Salvador ‘Badong’ Socrates, former governor and Deputy Minister of Local Governments.) I surmised that such a charismatic trait was unusual for a former military man. There was an aura of softness, if not an enigmatic mystery in his personality, despite his rather stoic bearing.
The social event lasted past 2200 and I accompanied him back to his room. He was still in high spirits and seemed still capable of dancing the whole night! The new set of police security in the isle leading to his room requested photo ops. We exchanged good night pleasantries and advised FVR that my pick-up time for breakfast was at 0700.
14. Breakfast with More Sharing
By 0630, I went first to Sgt. Ancheta’s room and had a chat. Even before 0700, FVR went out of his room already fully dressed: again, the epitome of military precision and being ahead of schedule. On the way to the breakfast area, more police officers requested for photo ops. Our lead photographer, Janet Funtilon, was requested by a policewoman to join the camera with FVR (Figure 31).
As we entered the VIP breakfast room, I asked him where he preferred to sit. He gave me an on-the sport guidance about security strategy. First, FVR said that you must position yourself in front of a solid wall. In this way, an enemy cannot make a sneak attack from behind. He even gave me a demonstration of a close contact martial art maneuver if I would punch him (Figure 32). President Ramos was indeed a master strategist.
Secondly, from your table, FVR advised that you must be able to see the door’s entrance. Hence, you are aware of who are getting in-and-out of the room. Thirdly, if you are in a rectangular table, you must sit in the middle of the longer side. This will enable you to maximize contacts and interact better with your associates who are around the table. Eventually, we sat side-by-side in a table that meet these criteria. More PSU officials and selected guests joined the breakfast.
As a health buff, FVR just took a slice of milkfish and some veggies from the buffet area. Meanwhile, I feasted voraciously on local pork sausage called longanisa, two sunny side ups, and a generous load of corned beef with potatoes. (He incessantly glanced at my plate as if wanting to say: “You’re a bloody glutton, Dr. Pido!”) While eating breakfast, we intently listened to his narratives on a variety of topics – military, politics and international relations, among others.
Upon eating, FVR started distributing cigars locally called as tabaco. These are Philippine-made cigars that he usually shares to friends. (At times, FVR is alternately referred to as tabaco, meaning cigar.) I intently smelled mine to savor the aromatic flavor (Figure 33).
After the breakfast proper, there were more photo ops with his trademark cigar (Figure 34). More guests came over to pay their last respect to FVR. After that, I brought him back to his room to undertake his final errands.
15. Airport’s Nostalgic Farewell
At around 0845, we proceeded to the city’s international airport. Just like the previous day, we were escorted by the combined military and police vehicles. Once inside the airport, all eyes were again on FVR. He graciously smiled and acknowledged their gazes as we walked through. I escorted him (Figure 35) first to the VIP lounge where the dignitaries who wanted to bid him goodbye were already waiting. At least, on my part, I felt that we had somehow bonded.
Later, I was surprised when the lounge guard approached me about the people who wanted to personally talk to me. When I got out, I didn’t recognize any of them, but they looked like professional people. “Can I help you guys?” I politely queried them collectively. One of them responded with these words: “Sir, can we have a photo op with President Ramos? As his aide-de-camp, we need to seek your permission first. We hope that you could accede to our request as we do not want to miss this rare opportunity.” I responded that I would need to confer first with FVR himself.
By this time, FVR was already surrounded by a few VIPs who were chatting with him casually. I excused myself and told him that several people wanted to take photos with him. I added that since there were several of them and the lounge is relatively small, it is best that we get out to accommodate them. We got out with Sgt. Ancheta tailing both of us.
For a semblance of order, I asked them to fall in line for the photo ops. I was surprised that more people lined-up to take their photos with President Ramos. They were practically from all walks of life: children, young professionals, gays, and elderly. A few of them – such as security guards and airport personnel (Figure 36) – even requested me to be their camera photographer! President Ramos perfectly understood the public needs for photos with celebrities
During a lull moment back at the VIP lounge, I sat again with President Ramos and PSU President Sespeñe. I requested him to make a note in my diary. He put the diary on his lap and dutifully scribbled a message and affixed his signature (Figure 37). Unfortunately, up to this day, I am still trying to locate that 2013 diary where FVR’s historic note was written.
Around 0945, the CebuPac public address system announced the impending departure of Flight 5J638. The flight crew came to the VIP lounge and informed us that President Ramos was the first to board. Finally, we all stood up. There were last minute handshakes and farewell words. FVR profusely thanked all of us for our hospitality. We all felt his utmost words of sincerity.
As his aide-de-camp, I accompanied FVR all the way to the boarding gate. There, I extended my right hand as a way of saying goodbye. While smiling, he shook it with his right hand – the grip was still steely firm – but rather warm this time. Another surprise. He pulled me closer to him and gently tapped my back a few times with his left hand. Then, he gently released his grip, turned his back snappily, and slowly walked away – without uttering a single word.
[Law 42: Assume formlessness – I cannot describe FVR in one single word. But if I’ll be required to choose one, I shall select the word ‘enigma’ – he seems to be an inscrutable or a mysterious person. Just like a human chameleon, FVR seemed capable of taking on a new identify at any instance without any warning. He appeared to epitomize the legendary Bruce Lee’s description of being “formless, shapeless, like water.”]
Some seven meters away from outside the boarding gate’s door, he abruptly looked back. Then, he completely turned 180 degrees and jumped with his hands in the air. Quite a feat for an octogenarian. That was his signature jump during the EDSA revolution in 1986. And there, on that sunny and slightly humid morning of 17 December 2013, was the time that I saw President Ramos in person.
16. Lessons Learned and Final Introspection
At 1005, the doors of CebuPac Flight 5J638 finally closed and started to taxi in the runway. I felt a mixture of emotions, a sort of tug-of-war of contradictory feelings. As the BEC2013 Chair of Organizing Committee, I felt both happy and relieved for FVR’s very fruitful participation as well as the success of the conference’s first day. Personally though, I experienced a certain sense of sadness and melancholy – wishing that I had more one-on-one interaction time with him. He was such an engaging conversationalist that there was really no dull moment when you are around him.
As for me, FVR had been magically transformed from our conference’s keynote speaker into an elder mentor who had generously shared his incredible experiences and life’s wisdom. Moreover, I will always remember his adage not to delegate to others the tasks that I cannot perform myself. This is the main lesson that I keep close to my chest up to this very day.
I had gained substantial insights from him, some of which I have contextualized through Robert Greene’s 1998 book about The 48 Laws of Power. I surmise that President Ramos is a nearly bionic man (despite having only one functional kidney), exemplifying multiple and intriguing personalities that are wrapped in just one body. Hence, I have used the term ‘enigmatic’ as part of this blog’s title.
I have seen all the Philippine Presidents – from varying distances – starting with President Marcos when he visited my hometown of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, in the 1970s, up to the current one, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. It is only FVR, however, whom I personally met and had interacted with for 24 hours. I was intimately up close with him as his aide-de-camp from 16-17 December 2013. I will always remember and definitely treasure that historic encounter with him for the rest of my natural life.
Being with Fidel Valdez Ramos (Figure 38), the 12th Philippine President, was an incredible story that I have repeatedly told my three children – and shall proudly share later with my future grandchildren.
Acknowledgment: I sincerely thank Ms. Janet K. Funtilon (PSU Staff) for sharing the photos.
Author’s Note: To make the posted blog interactive, I request you provide feedback to share to other readers. You may also send me an email at: mdpido@huescribbler.com
Copyright © 2022 by Michael D Pido
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Look forward to your next blog. Best wishes in your future endeavors.
Hi Muriel! Thanks for reading it. Hope all is well with you in Australia
Talk about the timing of your post, Sir Mike!
Anyway, you shared some great insights on the character of FVR as a leader!
I really treasure that 24-hour encounter with the late FVR. Wish I had more time with him.
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