FVR daughter passes away

MANILA, Philippines - Josephine “Jo” Ramos, daughter of former President Fidel V. Ramos, died shortly after midnight yesterday after battling lung cancer for months. She was 54.

People close to the family said Ramos died at 1:10 a.m. at the Medical City in Pasig City where she had been undergoing treatment in the last several months. She previously had surgery to address the cancer, but the treatment did not work, reports said.

Her remains were brought to the Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque City, where interment will take place on Friday at noon.

Ramos, singer and musician, was married to actor Lloyd Samartino but they separated in 2004. They have a 17-year-old son, Sergio, who stayed with his mother.

The former president and former first lady Amelita Ramos were expected to issue a statement on behalf of the Ramos family. His aides said the family is in “deep grief.”

Ramos has four other daughters – Angela, Carolina, Cristine, and Margie.

Carolina, nicknamed Chula, had an accident several years ago and she is still undergoing therapy.

Jo was a musician who trained under Prof. Carmencita Guanzon-Arambulo, founder of the Greenhills Music Studio. She was a percussionist and performed with a Yamaha organ at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in a concert with Louie Ocampo, Maritess Salientes, and Rowena Arrieta.

Jo was also a singer of the Gary Valenciano group and the Mon Faustino Powerplay Band. She was a scholar of the International School of Manila and also attended the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and various dance and music workshops in the US. Jo was a champion water skier and a member of the Philippine Ladies National Water Skiing team that won various medals in the Southeast Asian Games.

President Aquino immediately extended his sympathies to the Ramos family.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino will pray for Jo and her family.

“Ms. Ramos’ love for and accomplishments in music was testimony to the musical passion she shared with her mother; and in athletics, she participated in the national team that gained distinction for the country in the SEA Games in the 1970s,“ Lacierda said.

“The loss of any loved one is grave, indeed; the demise of a child is particularly painful for parents,” he said.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said he was deeply saddened by the news. Belmonte stood as one of the wedding sponsors of Jo.

“I’m very sorry. She was a fine person. She was my goddaughter in marriage and a very good friend of my late wife. She is a great loss. I extend my condolences to the family,” Belmonte said. – Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica