Fidel Valdez Ramos,born on March 18,1928 in Lingayen,the Philippines,is
the 12th President of the Philippines and Chairman of the Ramos Peace
and Development Foundation.
He won a government scholarship to the
United States Military Academy at West Point,and later studied
engineering at the University of Illinois. He held prominent positions
under both Marcos’ and Aquino’s administration. Under Mr. Ramos’
administration,the Philippines enjoyed economic growth and stability.
The Philippines Stock Exchange in the mid-1990's was among the best in
the world.
He is considered one of the most effective
presidents in the Philippines’ history.Mr. Ramos has received several
military awards including the Philippine Legion of Honor,the Gold
Cross,Philippine Military Merit Medal,the United States Legion of
Merit,the French Legion of Honor and the U.S. Military Academy
Distinguished Award.
He is perhaps the most decorated
Philippine soldier in history and one of the most decorated people of
the Philippines of all
time.
During his time as President of the Philippines Supreme Master
Ching Hai.went to the presidential palace Malacañang to ask for his
assistance on behalf of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) refugees who were at
that time refused refugee status by other countries,thus would face
repatriation.
In response,the president issued an order
granting permanent residency to some 5,000 Aulacese (Vietnamese)
refugees. For this great act of compassion and courage,in February 2007
Supreme Master Ching Hai presented the Shining World Leadership Award
to Fidel Ramos,and often spoke of him
with respect and tears of
gratitude. She said: 『He is a great man,kind and loving leader to his
people and strangers. On his birthday,he’d spend his wealth and time
with the poor.』The former president has always expressed his
appreciation for Supreme Master Ching Hai,as well as his admiration for
her own work for peace.
In his retirement from public
service,which spans over 50 years,Mr. Ramos established the Ramos
Foundation for Peace and Development (RPDEV) in 1999. With the motto
of『Caring,sharing,and daring,』the Foundation’s extend throughout the
Philippines and the larger Asia-Pacific region to empower youth,support
sustainable development and poverty alleviation,and develop democratic
governance. Up to date,Supreme Master Ching Hai made several donations
to support the noble endeavors of his organization.
Prior to
his planned visit to Formosa (Taiwan),Mr. Ramos expressed his wish to
visit the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association’s center
in Taipei. Thus,on Saturday,February 21,2009 Mr. Ramos was warmly
welcome from the time of his arrival at the Taipei airport to his
formal reception at our Association’s Taipei Center in Formosa.
Hundreds
of our Association members were honored to hail the arrival of a hero
of peace and recipient of the Shining World Leadership Award from
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
Although she was not able to receive
His Excellency personally,Supreme Master Ching Hai had asked our
Association members to extend her warmest welcome.Some of the 50
distinguished guests also present from the Philippines and Formosa
included MECO Taiwan’s Managing Director and Resident Representative,
Antonio
I. Basilio; Chairman of the Clark Economic Zone,Rizalino S. Navarro;
Executive Director of Ramos Peace and Development Foundation,Frumencio
A. Lagustan; Allison Chao,Secretary of Department of East Asia and
Pacific Affairs of the Formosan (Taiwanese) Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Formosa’s Director-general Karl Min Ku.
During his time in
Formosa,the former president was asked to participate as a special and
most honored guest in the conference entitled 『Act Now! – for a More
Peaceful and Safer World!』Supreme Master Ching Hai also had been
invited as the guest of honor to speak at the conference,and His
Excellency Mr. Ramos was delighted that she was able to speak with him
via videoconference to discuss their shared ideals for a more
caring,sustainable world.
We now invite you to join us for
the rebroadcast of the『Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
and Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos:Act Now! – For a More
Peaceful and Safer World,』held on February 21,2009 in Taipei,Formosa
(Taiwan).