Amelita Ramos

Amelita "Ming" Jara Martinez-Ramos (born January 29, 1926)^[1] is the wife of Fidel V. Ramos–the twelfth President of the Philippines–and was the eleventh First Lady of the Philippines from 1992^[2] to 1998.

As First Lady

In many ways, Ramos was a remarkable Presidential spouse, despite possessing a rather retiring character. Many past bearers of the title were homemakers, albeit as hostesses of Malacañang Palace; Ramos raised some eyebrows in conservative circles when, after her husband's accession following the three-way 1992 elections, she refused to resign as registrar at the International School Manila's old Makati campus.^[3] Despite her new, exalted rank as consort to the head of state, she dutifully reported to the registrar's office much to the delight of female professionals.

She was a particularly visible advocate of sport, a field outside the traditional realm of First Ladies. An active sportswoman herself, she was most associated with badminton, having served as president of the Philippine Badminton Association. Her achievements in the environmental field are considerable as well, having campaigned for the rehabilitation and conservation of the Pasig River, which received prominent attention during her husband's rule. She continues to be active in efforts devoted to the Pasig.

Personal life

Aside from being a sportswoman, Ramos is also recognised as a talented amateur pianist, performing on several occasions with the Executive Combo Band of Raul Manglapus. She also received considerable public sympathy in 1993, when the Philippine Daily Inquirer published a front-page story revealing an alleged past affair between her husband and the socialite Baby Arenas. Ramos kept a dignified silence, and the scandal has had no visible impact on her decades-long marriage.

In the early hours of 27 January 2011, Ramos' daughter, Josephine Ramos-Samartino, died of lung cancer at the age of 54 at The Medical City in Pasig, Metro Manila. The former President admitted shortly after that Josephine, the second of their five daughters, was a smoker for 25 years who had only disclosed her illness to the family five weeks before her death.^[4]

Honour

•  Spain:
  • : Dame Commander of the Order of Civil Merit (September 2, 1994) ^[5]
  • : Dame of the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (March 25, 1995) ^[6]

References