FVR Presidential Library launched as he turns 94

MANILA, Philippines — An online presidential library and oral history project on former president Fidel V. Ramos were launched to mark his 94th birthday yesterday.

Some Cabinet officials of the Ramos administration gave a preview of the online FVR Presidential Library that they said was to honor and make the public aware of the legacy of the country’s 12th president, who continues to serve as a private citizen and elder statesman.

Ramos’ former finance secretary Roberto de Ocampo, who chairs the FVR Legacy Initiative, said the undertaking “is dedicated to our nation’s heroes, to those who have lived through the turn of the century and to the generations after us.”

“It is with hope that the legacy of President Ramos’ unparalleled service enriches our understanding of our nation’s past, strengthens our resolve in pursuit of good governance, renews our commitment to advance the welfare of our people and deepens our love for true democracy,” De Ocampo said.

He said the FVR Presidential Library website will be completed by the fourth quarter of the year, along with the YouTube channel of the FVR Oral History.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us and FVR’s CSW – complete staff work – has been our guidepost since we started,” he said.

Among those who spoke during the preview via Zoom were former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, who with Ramos was among the first Filipino soldiers sent to the war in Vietnam in 1966, and the former leader’s daughter, Angelita.

A statement from Legacy Initiative said the FVR Presidential Library “takes its place among its international counterparts of former heads of state to illustrate and document both the personal life and leadership journey, as well as the milestones and achievements secured under public office.”

Accessible in desktop and mobile formats, the library is a main repository of the voluminous body of works and significant materials generated throughout the public and private life of Ramos.

“The wealth of resources it holds provides factual and accurate documentation which aims to support the work of students and scholars, inspire generations of Filipinos living here and across the globe and contribute to the living chronicles of the international community,” the statement read.

The website comprises a visual timeline of more than five decades of his achievements and service; five major categories that capture the hallmarks of his journey and impact; and an archival collection of photos and videos, speeches and key governance documents that marked and drove the structural reforms during his term from 1992 to 1998.

Intensive work on the comprehensive and interactive digital library was started six years ago by the FVR Legacy Initiative, beginning with an inventory of all materials in the Ramos Library.

These were sorted, categorized and organized for conversion into digital format, comprised of more than 16,000 video tapes, over 10,000 documents contained in 100 steel filing cabinets and a little over 21,000 presidential photos.

A vast collection of books and memorabilia was catalogued and segregated for donation to select public schools, foundations and project partners.

The FVR Oral History Project was described as “a living resource” that complements the FVR Presidential Library with an extensive collection of more than 150 interviews with individuals who have had the opportunity of working with and for Ramos.

Personalities include development partners, representatives from the business community, technocrats, civil and public servants, staffers and fellow world leaders.