A Leader of the Common People
Ramon Magsaysay
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Brief Biography of Ramon Magsaysay
Ramon Magsaysay was the 7th President of the Republic of the Philippines. He was born in Iba, Zambales to his father Exequiel Magsaysay who was a blacksmith and his mother, Perfecta del Fierra who was a school teacher. He studied at University of the Philippines and continued in Jose Rizal College. He taught at school first before he became a leader of the guerillas during the World War II. In 1946, he was elected as representative of the Liberal Party to the House of Representatives and was elected once again on 1949. He was also assigned as Secretary of National Defense -during Elpidio Quirino's administration- to make an action against the Huks (HUKBALAHAP) guerillas. He organized and reinforced the military and pushed through a stronger campaign to permanently stop the Huks. This action against the guerillas was one of the most victorious among all the actions taken against them. So that he called "The Savior of Democracy" Later on in 1953, Magsaysay resigned as defense secretary to candidate for the Presidential election under the Nationalista Party. He was elected President of the Philippines on November 1953. He was a close friend and supporter of the United States and a vocal spokesman against communism during the Cold War. During his term, he made Malacañáng Palace literally a "House of the People" , opening its gates to the public. He was known for being close to the Filipinos. But after his good presidency to serve and lead our country, he died at Mt. Manunggal in Cebu, on March 17, 1957. An estimated 2 million people attended Magsaysay's burial on March 22, 1957.