First among equals

Primus Inter Pares: A Patriot for the People, a hard- bound book tribute to the late Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro was published by his daughter Sandie Castro- Poblador, on the occasion of her father’s centennial year. Derived from the Latin phrase for “first among equals,” the book contains over 30 messages and articles by two former presidents, a former Senate president, several justices, and legal luminaries as well as scholars of the Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro Educational Foundation. Aside from five of Castro’s speeches, the book also includes 18 poems written when Castro was editor of the Philippine Collegian at the University of the Philippines where he was a student leader, debater and honor student. He also received the US Presidential Unit citation and other American and Philippine decorations such as the Legion of Merit for his daring during WWII. At the launch held at the Manila Polo Club, former president Fidel V. Ramos spoke of his high regard of the late chief justice and how close he was to the Castro siblings. Attended by many of the most prominent members of Philippine society, the launch was quite a success!