Monday, March 19, 2012

How President Ramos became my Cousin

(Wedding of Tita Lee Lucero and Ambassador Narciso Ramos)

Today, March 18, is former president Ramos's birthday. I have been trying to trace his family tree for a year or so now as I find his genealogy a little closer to home; my mom's first cousin, Alfonsita Galeos Lucero - Lee to the family - married former congressman and ambassador Narciso R. Ramos. Tita Lee's marriage to the widower Narciso was, to the best of my knowledge, a happy union. So my mom's cousin then became the stepmother of FVR, who at that time was the armed forces chief of staff, and to Leticia Ramos-Shahani, who was a senator. They, in turn, became my step-cousins.

I remember my grandparents' house in Cebu being very busy during election season. When FVR became President Aquino's handpicked successor in 1992 my family went all out in its support for our step-cousin.

Fidel Valdez Ramos was born to Narciso Rueca Ramos and Angela Marcos Valdez. On his father's side he was a Pangasinense, on his mother's side he was Ilokano. His paternal grandparents were from Asingan, Pangasinan while his maternal grandparents were from Ilocos Norte. His grandmother, Cripina Marcos, was the sister of Fabian Marcos, grandfather of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Narciso Ramos was Foreign Secretary during President Ferdinand E. Marcos's government and served from 1966 to 1968. Before joining the foreign service, Narciso served five terms as a member of the Philippine Legislature. He was also a Philippine Ambassador to Taipei.

FVR's mother, Angela Valdez Ramos, was active in her participation in the women's movement of her time, joining the Time Investment Group which later became the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in the Philippines. She was also at the heart of helping prisoners of war in Tarlar and was later involved in more women and social causes.

I have already posted FVR's pedigree chart in a previous write up. Hopefully, I would be able to add to this more as time goes by. In the meantime, anyone interested to read more on the life and times of FVR's mom Angela can purchase the book In A Class Of Her Own: The Life And Times Of Angela Valdez Ramos, written by Melandrew T. Velasco.

10 comments:

  1. This is an interesting article. I came upon this page because I was looking where I can buy the book on Angela V. Ramos.

    I am a Valdez (father's side) with Ilokano roots, and with far relatives in Binalonan, Pangasinan. My late grandfather and father have told me that we came from Simeon's line. I, too, intend to look through my genealogy further, and dig deeper down my roots.

    Thank you for writing this!

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    1. Im also valdez. Im also interested to know my roots. Some of valdez are in isabela now but they also in talavera and guimba.do you know some of them

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    2. Im also valdez. Im also interested to know my roots. Some of valdez are in isabela now but they also in talavera and guimba.do you know some of them

      Delete
    3. Im also valdez. Im also interested to know my roots. Some of valdez are in isabela now but they also in talavera and guimba.do you know some of them

      Delete
  2. This is interesting...and means we are probably cousins of some degree or another! I am currently doing genealogy research myself and am informed that Fidel Ramos is my grandfather's second cousin (which would make him my second cousin twice removed). I am trying to fill in the blanks to 'solidify' this connection. This is an interesting find on your end.

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  3. Im also interested to find out my family's relationship with the FIDEL VALDEZ RAMOS'.My father CHARLES CAPISTRANO RAMOS of Tipas, Taguig City (formerly Rizal) died without any mention of our relation with the RAMOS of the north. I remember when Fidel was running for President i was invited by the Ramos of Plaridel Bulacan to a meeting by the Ramoses headed by Fidel unforunately i was out of town. What puzzled me more to discover connections was my Dads facial similarity to that of Fidel. Thats the only hint i have so far to find out my big WHAT?

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    1. Hello sonny my name is Melvin I would love to know more about your family my future wife name is Angelyn Mao Ramos from the Philippines I'm trying to find her family in the USA if you can please help me it would be greatly appreciated 😍😍

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  4. Im also interested to find out my family's relationship with the FIDEL VALDEZ RAMOS'.My father CHARLES CAPISTRANO RAMOS of Tipas, Taguig City (formerly Rizal) died without any mention of our relation with the RAMOS of the north. I remember when Fidel was running for President i was invited by the Ramos of Plaridel Bulacan to a meeting by the Ramoses headed by Fidel unforunately i was out of town. What puzzled me more to discover connections was my Dads facial similarity to that of Fidel. Thats the only hint i have so far to find out my big WHAT?

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  5. I remember Mr.NR..I was the private army nurse 1978..such a great man.

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  6. I am also interested to know my lineage. My father teofilo ramos sr born in burgos pangasinan. His father was gregorio ramos. According to my father, narciso ramos and gregorio ramos was cousins. But i did not find the name gregorio ramos in the lineage of former president fidel ramos. Hopefully can you help me to find my greatgrandfather.

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