Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Ramon Magsaysay

Image of the President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay. Photo by Unknown author on Wikimedia

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Ramon Magsaysay

Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay Sr. Was a Filipino Statesman who served as the 7th President of the Philippines. He was the president of the Philippines from December 30th 1953 until his death on 17th March 1957.

Ramon was born on 31st August 1907 in Iba, Zambales, Philippines. His father was Exequiel Magsaysay y de Los Santos who was a blacksmith. The mother of Ramon, Perfecta del Fierro y Quimson was a Chinese mestizo schoolteacher.

Roman was of mixed Tagalog, Ilocano, Spanish and Chinese descent. The family of Ramon was not that rich as he had to do odd jobs for him to get money to fund his advanced university education.

Ramon was an automobile mechanic by profession. He was appointed as the military governor of Zambales after his service during the Pacific War. Roman also played an important role in World War Two which he joined after university.

His rise to national politics was immense after his years in service in national service. Ramon became the first Philippines President to be born in the 20th century.

His death was uncertain, but he will always be remembered for how he made an impact as the fifth President of the Philippines. Here are the top 10 Outstanding Facts about Ramon Magsaysay.

1. Ramon did Odd Jobs to Support his University Education

Ramon Magsaysay was not born into a well-off family. His father was a blacksmith and his mother was a Chinese mestizo schoolteacher. He studied his grade school somewhere in Castillejos and high school at Zambales Academy.

In 1927, Ramon joined the University of the Philippines and enrolled in a pre-medical course. This was not an easy time for Ramon as he had to support his education.

He had to work as a chauffeur to support his studies in engineering. Ramon later transferred to the Institute of Commerce at José Rizal College where he got a baccalaureate in Commerce.

After this award, Roman worked as an automobile mechanic for a bus company. He also became a shop superintendent.

2. He Participated in World War Two and Evaded Japanese Arrest Four Times

Philippine president Ramon Magsaysay in his teenage years. Photo by Unknown author on Wikimedia

Ramon Magsaysay was a key player in World War II. He joined the motor pool of the 31st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

While in the army, Ramon was an active soldier who also fought well against the Japanese. During his service period, Ramon Magsaysay managed to save his life on several occasions.

After Bataan surrendered in 1942, the army was left exposed. Roman managed to escape to the hills after the surrender. He evaded arrest by the Japanese forces on four occasions.

3. Ramon was Hailed for his Guerrilla Forces during the War

After the surrender, Ramon Magsaysay and other soldiers did not back down. He organised the Western Luzon Guerrilla Forces.

Ramon was hailed as a great tactician who engaged in Guerrilla battle. He was commissioned as captain on 5th April 1942.

During the three years under Colonel Merrill, they were in action at Sawang, San Marcelino, and Zambales. Roman managed to command a force of 10,000 soldiers.

He was instrumental in clearing the Zambales coast of the Japanese before the landing of American forces. The American forces were alongside the Philippine Commonwealth troops.

4. Several Relatives of Ramon became Prominent Public Figures

Ramon Magsaysay and Ninoy Aquino 1951. Photo by Unknown author on Wikimedia

During his early life, the family of Ramon Magsaysay was not known in the Philippines or the world. However, later on, after serving the country, several relatives of Ramon became prominent public figures.

The son of Ramon, Ramon Magsaysay Jr. became a Congressman and Senator. His brother, Genaro Magsaysay was a former Senator.

Vicente Magsaysay, the nephew of Ramon is a former Governor of Zambales, JB Magsaysay (a grandnephew) became an actor, politician and businessman. Antonio M. Diaz, a nephew, also became a Congressman and Assemblyman of Zambales.

5. Ramon was Married to One Wife and had Three Children

Ramon Magsaysay was not a polygamous man. He married one wife with whom they had three children.

The wife of Ramon Magsaysay was known as Luz Magsaysay. She also became the seventh first lady of the Philippines. They were blessed with three children: Teresita, Milagros and Ramon Magsaysay junior.

6. He Used his Guerrilla Battle Experience to Defeat Guerrilla Communists

Ramon Magsaysay and Carlos P. Garcia. Photo by Unknown author on Wikimedia

Ramon Magsaysay was a very influential person in bringing to an end the era of Guerrilla Communists. In early August 1950, Ramon offered his experience of Guerrilla tactics to help President Elpidio Quirino to fight off the resistance.

This experience that Ramon got from World War Two helped him beat the communists. The victory he got earned him the position of Secretary of National Security.

7. Ramon Carried his Political Ally’s Body Bared Handed to the Morgue after being Tortured and Killed

A lot was happening in the Philippines in the early 1950s which caused terrible fear to some political leaders. Moises Padilla who was a political ally of Ramon became a victim of the bad things happening to politicians.

In 1951, Ramon got the news that his ally was being tortured by the men of Provincial governor Rafael. He was too late to get to the scene as he found the blood-drenched body of Moises. Moises had been shot fourteen times to death.

Ramon had to carry the blood-drenching body of his friend to a mortuary barehanded. This incident was so crucial for him during his presidential campaigns.

8. Magsaysay became First President to be Sworn into Office Wearing a Barong

Ramon Magsaysay swears in as the 7th President of the Philippines on December 30, 1953. Photo by Philippine Presidential Museum and Library on Wikimedia

In every country worldwide, Presidents are usually sworn in while wearing decent clothes. However, Ramon was unique in how he was sworn into office.

During the swearing ceremony, he opted to wear the Barong Tagalog. This is a national dress of the Philippine men which combines an element from both the precolonial native Filipino and colonial Spanish clothing styles. He became the first president to wear such during swearing-in.

9. As President, Ramon was a Close Friend of the United States

In the early 1900s, several countries were not friends with the United States. The Philippines was among these countries.

However, after he was sworn in as the seventh president of the Philippines on 30th December 1953, this changed. Ramon was a close friend and supporter of the United States. He also advocated against communism during the Cold War.

10. Ramon was Referred to as the Defender of Democracy

Photo of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, ca 1955. Photo by National Library of the Philippines on Wikimedia

After becoming president, Ramon made several changes to the country. He advocated for the involvement of the people.

This led to the new Philippines where democracy was embraced by everyone. After his death, Ramon was referred to as the Champion of the Masses and Defender of Democracy.

Even though the life of Ramon Magsaysay was cut short, he had positively impacted the lives of Filipino. He will always be remembered for his great deeds for his country.