THE METAMORPHOSIS By ERNIE D. DELFIN FORMER PRES. FIDEL V. RAMOS AND HIS ENTOURAGE START THEIR U.S. ROADSHOW “PILIPINAS: THE SPIRIT BEHIND THE GLORY” IN LOS ANGELES CYPRESS, CALIF. The oldest living president of the Philippines Fidel V. Ramos, 85, with his biographer Rotarian Melandrew T. Velasco and retired General Reynaldo Velasco, started his United States Roadshow in this city’s Marriott Courtyard Hotel, showcasing an hour-long documentary video of the 1986 peaceful EDSA Revolution and the autographing of the book “Silver Linings” describing the glorious 25 years of the 1986 People Power Revolution, on June 6, 2012. Before the successful evening event, the Los Angeles Asian Journal publisher, Roger L. Oriel hosted FVR and his official entourage to an exquisite luncheon at the Anaheim White House, a fine dining restaurant that has been the venue of many dinner receptions for celebrities, politicians and world leaders in the city of Anaheim where Disneyland is located. The exclusive luncheon was witnessed and enjoyed by the guests as well as some Asian Journal editors and writers, this columnist included. We in the media had the rare opportunity to come up close and personal with the former president and were able to ask many questions that we always wanted to know about him. A fellow Rotarian who genuinely believes in “Service Above Self” being a long-time member of the Manila Rotary Club, FVR impresses this writer with his obvious love for his homeland, and his great concern and love for the Filipino people to have a better future. He was emphatic that for the Philippines to progress, her citizens must continue to do three things: CARING, SHARING & DARING to give as much opportunity to others to be able to improve their lives, whether they come from a poor or rich family, whether they come from the North or the South, man or woman, handsome or not-so-handsome. I asked him what motivates him to continue “working” even after having achieved the highest position of the land, and he responded that he just wanted to do his share as a senior statesman to promote peace and prosperity, as the primordial objectives of his Ramos for Peace and Development Foundation. Advising and inspiring he does by writing his “Sermons” column published in the Manila Bulletin regularly. He also challenged his audience of about two dozen guests amidst many humorous anecdotes of his life not only as a former Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces or former president of the Philippines but also as a “dependent” of his wife, Ming Ramos, saying that it behooves all citizens to continue rebuilding our nation with fervor and resolve to make it a much better country than what it is now. To achieve this, however, he emphasized that all of us must remember and exert our energy towards U.S.T. (not the University of Santo Tomas) but UNITY of purpose, SOLIDARITY in values and TEAMWORK in nation-building. In addition to an autographed Silver Linings book signed by its author, Melandrew Velasco, and him, he also gifted this writer an autographed book, “Winning Peace and Development” a Bulletin of FVR published “Sermons” . To conclude the once-in-blue-moon 3-hour lunch, the former president challenged attendees (only 8 of us accepted the challenged, including two young waiters in their late teens may be) to do dozens of push ups. In my barong tagalong and not properly attired for the gym, (as my valid excuse?) I was only able to do about l6 pushups while the 85 year old president did about 40, that was matched only by the two young Anaheim White House waiters, a fourth of his age! * * * Back to the Roadshow. The president of the Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Eddie Ferrer, delivered the welcome address to this rare community event that was sponsored by this largest Filipino American organization in California, if not the entire United States. Almost 300 predominantly Filipino Americans attended the event and stayed until their purchased books were autographed by President Ramos and the authors, Mel Velasco and Gen. Rey Velasco. After the audio video presentation (AVP) of the “Silver Linings”book highlights in the accompanying “Tagaligtas” movie, but prior to the book signing, the Deputy Consul Daniel Espiritu formally introduced the 12th president of the Philippines, Fidel V. Ramos. FVR then delivered a very homely keynote speech that was embedded with many unscripted but spirited audience participation, including a demonstration of how to give a welcome embrace or a kiss (beso-beso) with some ladies in the audience. His almost an hour speech was quite lively and humorous that no one left the room during his speech. Speaking extemporaneously, the president sprinkled his speech with light humor to deliver his message of love of country, and to know and remember the sacrifice, patriotism and courage of the Filipino people, that many young people no longer have the personal experience of witnessing those historic events. Realizing that many young Filipinos, especially those under 30, may not know much about the struggles, sacrifices of those who fought to bring back democracy to the country, the president hopes with great optimism that this occasional roadshow that he is undertaking will not only remind but also inspire all Filipino Americans that there were many valiant Filipinos who risked their lives to make their homeland free again from the 14-year Marcos dictatorship. And to protect and maintain that freedom, eternal vigilance is always needed and that can only happen when citizens are informed, educated and get involved in democratic processes that include the exercise of suffrage and electing the best candidates who have the best program to serve the people. This kind of message is often the gist of FVR “Sermons” a regular column that he pens for the Manila Bulletin. Moderated by the book author, Mel Velasco, the question and answer portion elicited many questions but has to be limited due to time constraints to have some time for the book signing and photo opportunities. Dozen other organizations also came and supported this event main, like several Filipino American Chambers of Commerce in both Orange and LA counties, the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club and other social and professional organizations. The media, both print, social and TV also covered the event. After the Los Angeles-Orange County event, FVR and his entourage proceeded to San Diego, then to Washington DC, Atlanta then to New Jersey and New York. Chatting with the author-publisher Mel Velasco, a few times during their sojourn in these cities, this writer got the message or impression that there is indeed a great need for Filipinos in America to be reminded of our homeland’s history and current state of affairs of the Philippines and that we Fil-Ams are challenged and are given a God-given opportunity and potential to contribute more to make the Philippines a more progressive country for our kababayans especially the next generation who will inherit the fruits of what we in this generation are doing. Author Mel Velasco expressed hope , however, that their two- week Roadshow across the USA where a thousand Fil-Ams saw the documentary patriotic Tagaligtas movie and/or purchased the Silver Linings book has served as a timely catalyst that can inspire and r move more patriotic and idealistic Fil Ams to do something for others to leave a lasting legacy for the homeland. -------- 3 0 -------- Email writer at: ernie.delfin@gmail
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 05:04:06 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015