Amelita Ramos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amelita Ramos
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Ramos in 2017
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| First Lady of the Philippines | |
| In role June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998 |
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| President | Fidel V. Ramos |
| Preceded by | Vacant Ballsy Aquino-Cruz (de facto, 1986) Imelda Marcos (1965) |
| Succeeded by | Loi Ejercito |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Amelita Jara Martinez
December 29, 1926 Manila, Philippine Islands |
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| Alma mater | Boston University (BS) University of California, Los Angeles (MS) |
Amelita "Ming" Jara Martinez-Ramos (born December 29, 1926) was the First Lady of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. She is the widow of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos. As First Lady, she was known for her love of sports and her work to protect the environment.
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Early Life and Education
Amelita Ramos, often called "Ming," was born in Manila. Her parents were Rufino Martinez and Josefa Jara Martinez. Her father was the first naval architect (a person who designs ships) in the Philippines to be trained in the United States. Her mother was one of the first social workers in the country.
Ming attended high school at the University of the Philippines (UP). She was a very active student and loved sports. She later went to college in the United States. She earned a degree in Physical Education from Boston University. After that, she got a master's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Career and Sports
Before becoming First Lady, Ming Ramos had a long career at the International School Manila. She started working there in 1955. Over the years, she held many jobs, including physical education teacher and registrar. She was the school's longest-serving employee when she retired.
She was also a talented athlete. She became a national champion in both swimming and badminton. Her passion for sports continued throughout her life. She served as the president of the Philippine Badminton Association for many years.
A Different Kind of First Lady
When her husband, Fidel V. Ramos, became president in 1992, Ming became the First Lady. She was different from many First Ladies before her. At the time, many people expected the president's wife to stop working. However, Ming chose to keep her job as registrar at the International School. This showed her dedication to her career and inspired many professional women.
As First Lady, she used her position to support causes she cared about.
- Sports: She was a strong supporter of sports and athletes. Because she was an athlete herself, she worked to get more people involved in sports, especially badminton.
- Environment: She led a major project to clean up and protect the Pasig River. This important river in Manila received a lot of attention during her husband's presidency.
- Gardening: In 1994, she helped create the Orchidarium, a special garden for orchids, in Rizal Park, Manila. An orchid was even named after her, the Ascocenda Amelita Ramos. She also started Ming’s Garden, a plant nursery and event space in Silang, Cavite.
Personal Life
Ming met Fidel V. Ramos when they were classmates in high school. They got married on October 21, 1954. At the time, he was an army officer. They were married for almost 68 years until his death in 2022.
Together, they had five daughters: Angelita, Josephine, Carolina, Cristina, and Gloria. They also have many grandchildren.
Besides being a sports lover, Ming is also a skilled amateur pianist. She sometimes performed with a band led by politician Raul Manglapus.
Honours
Amelita Ramos has received awards from other countries for her work.
Spain:
: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (1994)
: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (1995)
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