Aklan commemorates the 105th birth anniversary of Congressman Godofredo Peralta Ramos on November 8, a special non-working holiday in the whole province of Aklan including Boracay Island by virtue of Proclamation No. 194.
Ma. Anita Victoria Ramos-Antonino, youngest daughter of the late Congressman Ramos, led the thanksgiving mass at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral and the traditional wreath laying at the Father of Aklan’s monument in front of the Aklan Provincial Capitol building.
Aklan Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, Kalibo mayor William Lachica, Kalibo vice mayor Madeline Regalado, former Kalibo mayor Johnny Dayang, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Harry Sucgang, Emmanuel Soviet Russia Dela Cruz and Immanuel Sodusta also graced the event.
Congressman Ramos is well remembered as the “Father of Aklan” who also served the country as a Justice of the Court of Appeals, Governor of Aklan and delegate of the Constitutional Convention.
Ramos-Antonino, also the Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas, recalled the contribution and sacrifices of Aklan’s illustrious son in the approval of the law separating Aklan as a distinct province from Capiz.
She said Congressman Ramos (3rd District of Capiz) persevered in Congress in the 1950s to create a separate province of Aklan.
Congressman Ramos filed House Bill No. 334 on January 29, 1954 and favorably endorsed by the House Committee on Provincial and Municipal Government on its Committee Report No. 1228.
The Congress then approved on third reading the Ramos bill and forwarded to the Senate on May 16, 1955 for concurrence. On April 16, 1956, the bill passed the Senate without amendment and on April 25, 1956, then President Ramon Magsaysay approved and signed the bill into law as Republic Act No. 1414
Ramos-Antonino added, “her father was loving, responsible, disciplinarian and down-to-earth, humble and simple man.”
“He was the rock and pillar of our family.”
She also thanked local leaders and officials for celebrating the birth anniversary of her father in a simple yet in meaningful way.
Other activities such as essay-writing contest and lecture on the life and works of Congressman Ramos were organized by Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes Memorial Foundation, Inc. (AGMRMFI) in collaboration with the municipal government of Kalibo, Aklan Historical Society, provincial government of Aklan and Godofredo P. Ramos Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Congressman Ramos was born on November 8, 1911, retired in government service on November 8, 1976 and died on July 17, 1977.
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
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