Several organizations at the University of the Philippines – Diliman campus have instituted a fellowship program with the aim of perpetuating the legacy of the late President Fidel V. Ramos.
The UP-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), together with the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and The FVR Legacy Initiative, introduced the FIDEL V. RAMOS LEAD4R Fellowship Program on Advanced Governance and Leadership for Public Sector Reform.
The launch coincided with the late president's 96th birth anniversary.
FVR, born on March 18, 1928, passed away on July 31, 2022, at the age of 94.
During the event, former first lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos, his wife, accepted a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the family.
FVR's connection to the State University ran deep, having attended UP High School in Manila, now known as the UP Integrated School in Diliman.
Throughout his life, FVR received 28 honorary doctorate degrees, including a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, from UP.
Fostering change
The fellowship program, a joint effort between the public and private sectors, aims to advance FVR's legacy of leadership, governance, and reform.
Implemented by UP-NCPAG's Center for Leadership Citizenship and Democracy (CLCD), in collaboration with MAP and The FVR Legacy Initiative co-chaired by FVR’s daughter Angel Ramos and former finance secretary Roberto de Ocampo, the program offers an advanced governance and leadership course for current and emerging leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector.
Participants are expected to embrace collaboration, transparency, accountability, and inclusion to foster public sector reform and achieve sustainable development.
The program includes an experiential learning component, exposing LEAD4R Fellows to innovative practices both locally and internationally.
Upon completion, participants will join UP-NCPAG's network to further promote their ideas.
The program, spanning ten months, offers a non-degree executive curriculum, providing participants with leadership tools, critical thinking skills, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
FVR's analogy of economic growth to cooking bibingka, a Filipino rice cake, underscores the importance of unity and cooperation between the government and the private sector.
Magsaysay’s legacy
Meanwhile, on the 67th death anniversary of former President Ramon Magsaysay, a commemorative event was held at the University Santo Tomas (UST) Miguel de Benavides Library.
The event included the launch of a new edition of a book titled “One Came Back: The Magsaysay Tragedy,” co-authored by journalist Nestor Mata and Vicente Villafranca.
The book recounts the tragic plane crash on March 17, 1957, which claimed the lives of President Magsaysay and 25 others. Nestor Mata, the sole survivor, shared his firsthand experience, immortalizing the final moments of the beloved president.
Mata, an alumnus of UST, was honored for his contributions to education and journalism.
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