RAMON "MON" RAMIREZ: ENGINEER, ACTIVIST, AND NATIONALIST

RAMON "MON" RAMIREZ:
ENGINEER, ACTIVIST, AND NATIONALIST

by Kat Ulrike

Ramon "MonRam" Ramirez 
(Photo by Efren Ricalde)

This note mourns the passing of Engr. Ramon "MonRam" Ramirez, whose nationalism is channeled via activism, citizen journalism, and his advocacy of "science and technology for the people."

Died due to COVID19 and government neglect, Mon's life was of dedication to science, nationalism, and of seeking truth from facts, all in pursuit of National liberation and of Social Justice, as exemplified by his participation in the struggle to those of the use of science and technology for the people's growing needs.

A dedicated Bicolano from Albay, Mon, or MonRam, as what his friends called him, was an Engineering Scholar and topnotcher in the 1967 electrical engineering boards, and also served as project site electrical engineer in charge of then- Magnolia Dairy Products Plant in Aurora Boulevard, pre-Martial Law activist under the nationalist organisation for scientists "Samahan ng Makabayang Siyentipiko", political detainee in 1973 and in 1992, and lastly, founder of online Photo, video, and statement archive "Arkibong Bayan", and founding convener of "People Opposed to Warrantless Electricity Rates" (POWER), whose campaigns won for consumers billions in refunds from the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO). 

For his dedication in serving the people, MonRam was awarded first by the by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association a distinguished award for social cohesion in 2011. followed by the UP Alumni Engineers the National Achievement Awardee in Public Services in 2019.  

"An Engineer for the Masses"

Ramon "MonRam" Ramirez
as an Engineering graduate

As most engineers rather take up lucrative careers in the private sector (mainly construction firms), academe, or in the government, there are those who chose to take "the road less traveled". As MonRam himself took the profession in supporting the cause of the people."

"Engineering is Nation Building" as what MonRam said (from a Karl Ramirez's post). All despite working as an engineer at BF Goodrich, Allied Thread Textile Mill, and eventually at San Miguel Corporation's "central engineering department" where he became part of the team that constructed the Magnolia Dairy Products Plant in Aurora Boulevard, the first fully automated during the late 60s. Also designed by the renowned architect and national artist Leandro Locsin.

But despite working as an engineer especially in a known food giant (and there were times he took part in regular maintenance check-ups in various SMC plant substations be it Polo brewery in Valenzuela or in Mandaue brewery in Cebu), sociopolitical issues continued to deeply interest MonRam. He even admitted that working in Magnolia at Aurora Boulevard made him nearer to his "UP Beloved" and thus able to attend Educational Discussions with activists since there was no traffic yet.
 

Magnolia Dairy Products Plant, where MonRam
served aselectrical engineer (Source: KAUNLARAN)

During the Frst Quarter Storm of 1970 he joined a nationalist movement for scientists and engineers known as "Samahan ng Makabayang Siyentipiko" from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. From there MonRam actively participated in learning about the plight of the Filipino people, seeking truth from facts, and in honing further his skills as an engineer- this time not in the service of the privileged few but of the many.

"MonRam" fighting for the consumer

MonRam along with Teddy Casino
during a POWER press conference
(source: Paul Nikko Degollado)

It is quite interesting at first especially how a young engineer would dare to fight against the establishment. Once he even faced the risks, of arrest and imprisonment, yet MonRam didn't waver, but instead remained committed to the cause of of the people. And as MonRam sought truth from facts, each battle is a step forward in raising the awareness including those of consumers- especially when telcos or power generating companies exploited them, raking profits instead of doing better services. 

In an article from Tonyo Cruz, he recalled how MonRam advised not just to fight for lower rates and better services, but also to fight against monopolies, duopolies, even oligopolies trying to control utilities including those of power and telecommunications. 

In the early 2000s, MonRam, together with Anakpawis representative Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran and many others, formed the multi-stakeholder POWER coalition. Together, they exposed the “purchased power adjustment” or PPA that exploits consumers to the tune of billions of pesos. MERALCO had to contend with both Ka Bel and MonRam whose counsel and knowledge helped people unravel the mess that was the PPA. This exposure of the PPA forced MERALCO to refund this charge with consumers benefited from refunds, rebates and discounts. Also being the electrical engineer in the alliance, he provided technical inputs in the writing of a thorough analysis of the PPA, a study of the power industry, and a critique of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), which deregulates the energy sector.

Even telecommunications companies can't escape the scrutiny of the concerned consumer as the former exploited them with exorbitant fees. When a couple of young activists and professionals founded the consumer advocacy group TXTPower in 2001, MonRam was always eager to offer counsel and advice. 

Making technology having key role in the struggle

For MonRam, technology also plays a key role in the struggle of the people. Despite his age, he noticed how technology as increasingly becoming a necessity than that of a luxury it once was, what more that it has to be used in advancing people's rights and welfare.

According to an old Bulatlat article by Janess Ellao, she said how MonRam had not only observed (and documented) how nothing seems to have changed in the system but also how technology plays an important role in the people’s struggle.

“In 1981, we were given a Casio pocket computer. I said, ‘what are we going to do with this?’ So for a few days, we used it only as a calculator,” Ramirez said. Later on, he added they realized they could program the computer to encipher and decipher messages.

Also in the 80s, Ramirez’s friend told him he has a “television” that they could not use. When he went there for a visit, he learned that it was an Apple computer. From then on, technology has become a medium for activists to launch their campaigns.

Even the internet, especially social media became a tool in reaching out to more people.  Armed with a camera and going to rallies or events, MonRam took pictures and uploads it in his Facebook account or in "Arkibong Bayan" website with sharply-written captions and statements from people's organisations, some of his pictures even featured in alternative media sites like Bulatlat. He was even called "weird" by young people especially when seeing him active in Facebook.  

“When something new comes in, I always study it. And I would ask myself: ‘What’s in it for us? How would it be of help to us?’”

***

Again, this note mourns the passing of a known Engineer and activist Mon Ramirez, and sends love and prayers to his family, friends, and colleagues who not just remembering his contribution be it in engineering or his activism, but also his friendliness, fondness for history, interest in photography, and curious in technological achievements, and his unwavering dedication in serving the people in hopes of a "just and peaceful society" that is, to build. 

With his contributions and memories, perhaps one would say he is alive and youthful in everyone’s hearts. Present but in spirit in every struggle.