His Excellency Ramón Magsaysay, Sr. |
|
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7th President of the Philippines | |
In office December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957 |
|
Vice President | Carlos P. García |
Preceded by | Elpidio Quirino |
Succeeded by | Carlos P. García |
Secretary of National Defense | |
In office January 1, 1954 – May 14, 1954 |
|
President | Himself |
Preceded by | Oscar Castelo |
Succeeded by | Sotero B. Cabahug |
In office September 1, 1950 – February 28, 1953 |
|
President | Elpidio Quirino |
Preceded by | Ruperto Kangleon |
Succeeded by | Oscar Castelo |
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Zambales' Lone District | |
In office May 28, 1946 – September 1, 1950 |
|
Preceded by | Valentin Afable |
Succeeded by | Enrique Corpus |
Personal details | |
Born |
Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay, Sr. August 31, 1907 Iba, Zambales, Insular Government of the Philippine Islands |
Died | March 17, 1957 Balamban, Cebu, Philippines |
(aged 49)
Cause of death | Plane crash |
Resting place | Manila North Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines |
Political party |
Nacionalista Party (1953–1957) Liberal Party(1946–1953) |
Spouse(s) | Luz Banzon |
Children | Teresita Milagros Ramon |
Alma mater | José Rizal University |
Profession | Engineer, Soldier |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Philippines |
Service/branch | Philippine Army |
Years of service | 1942–1945 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | 31st Infantry Division |
Presidential styles of Ramon F. Magsaysay |
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Reference style | His Excellency |
Spoken style | Your Excellency |
Alternative style | Mr. President |
Population | |
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1954 | 21.40 million |
Gross Domestic Product | |
1954 | Php 157,054 million |
1956 | Php 179,739 million |
Growth rate, 1954–56 | 7.22 % |
Per capita income | |
1954 | Php 7,339 |
1956 | Php 8,073 |
Total exports | |
1954 | Php 36,462 million |
1956 | Php 34,727 million |
Exchange rates | |
1 US US$ = Php 2.00 1 Php = US US$ 0.50 |
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Sources: Philippine Presidency Project Malaya, Jonathan; Eduardo Malaya. So Help Us God... The Inaugurals of the Presidents of the Philippines. Anvil Publishing, Inc. |
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay, Sr. (August 31, 1907 – March 17, 1957) was the seventh President of the Republic of the Philippines, serving from December 30, 1953 until his death in an aircraft disaster. An automobile mechanic, Magsaysay was appointed military governor of Zambales after his outstanding service as a guerilla leader during the Pacific War. He then served two terms as Liberal Party congressman for Zambales before being appointed as Secretary of National Defense by President Elpidio Quirino. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.
He was the first Philippine President born during the 20th century and the first to be born after Spanish colonial era.
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay was born in Iba, Zambales on August 31, 1907 to Exequiel Magsaysay y de los Santos (April 18, 1874 in San Marcelino, Zambales – January 24, 1968 in Manila), a blacksmith, and Perfecta del Fierro y Quimson (April 18, 1887 in Castillejos, Zambales – May 5, 1980 in Manila), a schoolteacher.
He spent his grade school life somewhere in Castillejos and his high school life at Zambales Academy in San Narciso, Zambales. After high school, Magsaysay entered the University of the Philippines in 1927, where he enrolled in a pre-medical course. He worked as a chauffeur to support himself as he studied engineering; and later, he transferred to the Institute of Commerce at José Rizal College (1928–1932), where he received a baccalaureate in commerce. He then worked as an automobile mechanic in a bus company (Florida) and shop superintendent.