Sunday, November 6, 2011

New Book of Former President Fidel V. Ramos

By Leonardo V. Micua

Former President Fidel V. Ramos will lead the formal launching of the
book of quotations collected and edited by author Melandrew T. Velasco
entitled WOW (Words of Wisdom) FVR 111111-111 at the Sison Auditorium
in Lingayen, Pangasinan at 3 p.m. on Nov. 11.

The book launching will coincide with the 111th birth anniversary of
Ramos' late father, Ambassador Narciso Ramos, former assemblyman and
representative of Pangasinan, who was born in Asingan town on November
11. 1900.

Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. expressed elation over the launching of the
landmark book project published and authored by two sons of Pangasinan
in the persons of President Ramos and Velasco who has been his long
time personal friend. He added that the book launching jibes well with
his promotion of history, literature, culture and arts over the last
four years as Pangasinan governor.

"This book, 111111-111 FVR WOW, is a roadmap that ties two exemplary
lives in one comprehensive volume, serving also as a display of
gratitude and admiration from a loving son to a steadfast father -— a
legacy, indeed, that has come full circle," Espino said.

He added that 11111-111 FVR WOW is in every way a hallmark book
project for the man behind its vision, Fidel V. Ramos. It is a
testament to his selfless, never-ending commitment to nation-building,
which had already started even before he became Philippine President.

Former President Ramos said: "This book, 11-11-11-111 FVR WOW or Words
of Wisdom, was the outcome of a concept I initially imparted to our
family biographer, Melandrew T. Velasco. It was inspired by my desire
to honor fittingly the public service of my father Narciso (born on
November 11, 1900 in Asingan, Pangasinan) whose 111th birth
anniversary we celebrate on 11 November 2011. Thus this book seeks to
organize a compilation of worthy quotes from my statements, speeches
and writings and those of others, and launched on 11-11-11 for his
111th birth anniversary. "

Ramos said the main purpose of this project is to summarize in a
compact handy volume "best practices" in citizenship and governance
that would appeal to people of all ages, especially to the younger
ones who will someday assume the mantle of leadership from today's
incumbents.

"The truth has made me realize just how much we need more doses of
wisdom in our daily lives as Filipinos — for wisdom sparks
inspiration, and if we are a people needy of inspiration to remain
competitive, then the more doses of wise words of motivation in
nation-building will count all the better," Ramos said.

Velasco, fondly called MTV or Mel by colleagues and peers and is a
native of Dagupan City, has taken his book writing career to another
level with 111111-111 FVR WOW (Words of Wisdom).

This book is the first paperback edition published by MTV after
publishing 10 coffee table books in the last 10 years. As FVR pointed
out, WOW will go down in history as the country's version of Chairman
Mao Zedong's "Little Red Book" that will endure for many generations
to come.

Since 2000, he has been entrusted to write other books on the life
stories of FVR's family members and even the RPDEV: An Enduring
Legacy: The Life and Times of Narciso Rueca Ramos (Two Editions); In a
Class of Her Own: The Life and Times of Angela Valdez Ramos; Uncle
Sim: The Life and Times of Simeon Marcos Valdez; Mommy: The Life and
Times of Josefa Jara Martinez; Simply Ming: The Life Story of First
Lady Amelita Ramos; Teamwork for Enduring Peace and Sustainable
Development: Ten Years of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation,
and, Colors of Light: The Life Story of Lucia Mangapit Valdez.

For this year, Velasco has launched two major coffee table book
projects namely Colors of Light last 11 January 2011 and 11 August
2011, both at the historic Manila Hotel with his tenth opus, Embrace:
The Heart of Service, that showcased Velasco's commitment and
dedication for the Rotary Club.

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