Leticia Ramos-Shahani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leticia Ramos-Shahani
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| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1998 |
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| 16th Senate President pro tempore of the Philippines | |
| In office July 6, 1993 – October 10, 1996 |
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| President | Fidel Ramos |
| Preceded by | Teofisto Guingona, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Blas Ople |
| Undersecretary/Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1986–1987 |
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| President | Corazon Aquino |
| UN Assistant Secretary-General for Social and Humanitarian Affairs | |
| In office 1981–1986 |
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| Philippine Ambassador to Australia | |
| In office August 1978 – December 1980 |
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| President | Ferdinand Marcos |
| Preceded by | Monico Vicente |
| Succeeded by | Gregorio Abad |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Leticia Valdez Ramos
September 30, 1929 Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippine Islands |
| Died | March 20, 2017 (aged 87) Taguig, Philippines |
| Cause of death | Pneumonia, cardiac arrest |
| Resting place | Manila Memorial Park – Sucat |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Lakas–CMD (2008–2017) |
| Other political affiliations |
Lakas (1991–2008) LDP (1988–1991) UNIDO (until 1988) |
| Spouse |
Ranjee Shahani
(died 1970) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Fidel Ramos (brother) |
| Residence | Asingan, Pangasinan |
| Alma mater | Wellesley College (BA) Columbia University (MA) University of Paris (Ph.D) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Professor |
Leticia Valdez Ramos-Shahani (September 30, 1929 – March 20, 2017) was an important Filipina leader. She served as a senator, a diplomat, and a writer.
She was the younger sister of Fidel V. Ramos, who became the 12th president of the Philippines.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Leticia Ramos-Shahani was born on September 30, 1929, in Lingayen, Pangasinan. She grew up in Asingan town with her brother, Fidel V. Ramos.
Her father, Narciso Ramos, was a lawyer and a journalist. He served as a legislator and later became the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He helped found the Liberal Party and was a key person in creating ASEAN.
Her mother, Angela Valdez-Ramos, was an educator. She was also a suffragette, meaning she fought for women's right to vote.
Education and Teaching
Leticia Ramos-Shahani completed her early schooling at the University of the Philippines. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She then received her master's degree in comparative literature from Columbia University in New York. Later, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in comparative literature from the University of Paris (Sorbonne).
She was a professor who taught many subjects. These included English literature, French, Spanish, and humanities. She taught at the University of the Philippines and other colleges in New York. She also served as a dean at the Lyceum of the Philippines and Miriam College.
Political Career
Early Diplomatic Roles
After passing the Foreign Service Officer (FSO) Examination, Ramos-Shahani began her career as a diplomat. A diplomat represents their country in other nations.
She served as the Ambassador to Australia from 1978 to 1980. She was the first Philippine ambassador to visit Australia's Northern Territory. She also worked to strengthen friendship between the Philippines and Australia.
From 1981 to 1986, she was a UN Assistant Secretary-General for Social and Humanitarian Affairs. She also served as the Secretary-General for the World Conference on the UN Decade of Women in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1985.
Role in the People Power Revolution
Ramos-Shahani bravely spoke out against the government at the time. She supported Corazon Aquino, an opposition leader. She resigned from her UN job and returned to the Philippines. She encouraged her brother, Fidel V. Ramos, to support the opposition movement.
After the 1986 EDSA Revolution, she became the Deputy Minister for Philippine Affairs. This role helped set up a new democratic government in 1987.
Serving as Senator
In 1987, Leticia Ramos-Shahani was elected as a Senator. She was reelected in 1992. In 1993, she became the Senate President pro tempore. This was during the presidency of her brother, Fidel.
As a senator, she led important committees. These included the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Education, Culture and Arts.
After the Senate
After her second term as senator ended in 1998, Ramos-Shahani continued to serve the government. She held positions like Director of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO). She was also a Presidential Adviser on Culture. From 2008 to 2011, she was the Dean of the College of International, Humanitarian and Development Studies at Miriam College.
Family Life
Leticia Ramos-Shahani was married to Dr. Ranjee Gurdassing Shahani, a professor and writer from India. They had three children: two sons, Ranjit and Chanda Narciso, and a daughter, Lila.
Her eldest son, Ranjit Ramos Shahani, also became a politician. He served as Vice Governor and a representative for Pangasinan. Her daughter, Lila Ramos Shahani, has held roles in government, including Secretary General of the Philippine National Commission to UNESCO.
Later Years and Passing
Leticia Ramos-Shahani passed away on March 20, 2017, at the age of 87. She had been battling colorectal cancer and was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. She died in Taguig, Philippines.
Her remains were cremated and laid to rest at the family mausoleum in Manila Memorial Park – Sucat in Parañaque. In 2018, the New York Times published an obituary for her.
