Ambassador Jose V. Cruz (May 18, 1926 – July 9, 1998), also known as J. V. Cruz was a diplomat and writer from the

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

. He was the resident Philippine Ambassador to

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...

The Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and K ...

, and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

( Court of Saint James) from 1970 to 1986.

Early life and education

J.V. Cruz was born to judge (

Court of First Instance A court is any person or institution, often as a government institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accorda ...

) Roman Cruz and Amanda Corpuz Cruz, and the eldest of six siblings. In addition, he had two older brothers from the first marriage of his father. He attended Paco High School and went to university at the

Ateneo de Manila , mottoeng = Light in the Lord , type = Private, research, non-profit, coeducational basic and higher education institution , established = December 10, 1859 , religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic (Jesuits) , academic_affi ...

and was a consistent top of the class student but eventually dropped out from college. He, however, became the youngest ever Press Secretary Cabinet Member in the history of the Philippines at the age of 28 years old.

Career

J.V. Cruz started off in media as a news reporter and had a short-lived role as Press Attache at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco. He resigned that post to help in the campaign of President

Ramon Magsaysay Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay Sr. (August 31, 1907 – March 17, 1957) was a Filipino statesman who served as the seventh president of the Philippines, from December 30, 1953, until his death in an aircraft disaster on March 17, 1957. An automo ...

who after winning, appointed him as his

Press Secretary A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage. Dut ...

. He later on became a regular columnist at the

Manila Times ''The Manila Times'' is the oldest extant English-language newspaper in the Philippines. It is published daily by The Manila Times Publishing Corp. (formerly La Vanguardia Publishing Corporation) with editorial and administrative offices at 2/F ...

in the early 60's until his appointment as Ambassador to the

Federal Republic of Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated between ...

in 1970 by President Ferdinand Marcos. After resigning from his last diplomatic post, which was to the Court of Saint James in 1986, he returned to column writing for various newspapers until his death in 1998 when he succumbed to colon cancer. Cruz was a ghost writer for many high government officials, including three

presidents of the Philippines Under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, the president of the Philippines ( fil, pangulo ng Pilipinas) is both the head of state and the head of government, and serves as the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces. The presid ...

. He also hosted a television show called ''J.V. Cruz Interviews'', a public affairs special that won several awards as did his column writing that won him Best Columnist of the Year. He was also top adviser and strategist to several Presidential campaigns. Cruz was often described as a bon vivant and was praised for his handsome looks as much as he was for his intellect, skillful writing, and political analyses. He was read by leaders and pillars of commerce and industry as well as by national and local politicians.

Personal life

Ambassador J.V. Cruz was married to Luisa Antonio for more than fifty years. She died three years before him of cancer. They had seven children and eight grandchildren.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruz, Jose Filipino writers Filipino columnists Filipino television talk show hosts Ambassadors of the Philippines to Germany Ambassadors of the Philippines to the Netherlands Ambassadors of the Philippines to the United Kingdom Presidential spokespersons (Philippines) Magsaysay administration cabinet members Ateneo de Manila University alumni 1926 births 1998 deaths