Jose Rizal isn't the only one you know...

by: Nicholas Barria

          Ramon Magsaysay was the 7th President of the Republic of the Philippines, serving from December 30 1953 until his death on a plane crash on March 17 1957. Prior to his term as president, Magsaysay was a member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a Secretary of Defense. He was also a soldier in World War 2. His term is said to be the most clean and corruption free term, and was marked as some of the best years of the Philippines.



          Magsaysay was born on August 31, 1907 to Exequiel Magsaysay and Perfecta del Fierro. He spent his early years studying  at the Zambales Academy at San Narciso then entered the University of the Philippines where he enrolled in a pre-engineering course, later transferring to Jose Rizal College where he got a baccalaureate for commerce. To support himself, he took various part-time jobs such as being a chauffeur and an auto mechanic, as well as a shop superintendent.



          At the outbreak of World War 2, Magsaysay joined the Philippine Army to fight for his country. After Bataan surrendered, he escaped to the hills and assembled a guerilla force which cleared out Japanese forces around the areas of Zambales. After the war, Magsaysay was elected to a position in the House of Representatives as the Chairman of the House National Defense Committee. Magsaysay would soon rise to become a Secretary of Defense. He intensified a campaign against the HUKBALAHAP, a party of guerilla forces during World War 2 turned rebels who fight against pro-western leaders.



          During 1951, an event in Negros Oriental involving the torture and murder of an influential man named Moises Padilla by his enemy and then Governor of the province Rafael Lacson occurred. Magsaysay, who rushed in an effort to save Padilla, was too late. He then personally carried Padilla’s corpse to a morgue. In the trial against Lacson, Magsaysay presented enough evidence to convict Lacson and his men for murder, and they were subsequently sentenced to death.



          On November 10, 1953 Magsaysay defeated the former president Elpidio Quirino in the Presidential Elections. As president, he was a close friend and supporter of the United States and a vocal spokesman against communism during the Cold War. He led the foundation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization also known as the Manila Pact of 1954, that aimed to defeat communist-Marxist movements in Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Southwestern Pacific.



          During his term, he made Malacañang literally a "house of the people", opening its gates to the public. One example of his integrity followed a demonstration flight aboard a new plane belonging to the Philippine Air Force. President Magsaysay asked what the operating costs per hour were for that type of aircraft, then wrote a personal check to the PAF, covering the cost of his flight.In history, he is the first Philippine president to wear a barong tagalog in his inauguration. He brought back the people's trust to the military and to the government.

          His administration was considered one of the cleanest and most corruption-free; his presidency was cited as the Philippines' Golden Years. Trade and industry flourished, the Philippine military was at its prime, and the Filipino people were given international recognition in sports, culture and foreign affairs. The Philippines ranked second in Asia's clean and well-governed countries. To improve further the country’s economy, he strengthened ties with foreign countries and made many reforms suiting the needs of the people. His term was cut short by his death due to a plane crash on March 17 1957. The whole country grieved the death of this leader, because he was like a father and idol to the masses and common folk, and he treted them like they were his family.