Limang Presidente NG Pilipinas
Limang Presidente NG Pilipinas
Limang Presidente NG Pilipinas
Biography
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay, of mixed Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilocano,[3] Spanish,
and Chinese[4] descent, 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, 1969 in Manila), a
blacksmith, and Perfecta del Fierro y Quimson (April 18, 1886 in Castillejos, Zambales – May 5,
1981 in Manila), a Chinese mestizo schoolteacher, nurse.[5][4]
He spent his grade school life somewhere in Castillejos and his high school life at Zambales
Academy in San Narciso, Zambales.[6] After college, Magsaysay entered the University of the
Philippines in 1927,[6] where he enrolled in a pre-medical course. He first worked as a chauffeur
to support himself as he studied engineering; and later, he transferred to the Institute of
Commerce at José Rizal College (now José Rizal University) from 1928 to 1932,[6] where he
received a baccalaureate in commerce. He then worked as an automobile mechanic for a bus
company[7] and shop superintendent.
At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the motor pool of the 31st Infantry Division of
the Philippine Army.
When Bataan surrendered in 1942, Magsaysay escaped to the hills, narrowly evading Japanese
arrest on at least four occasions. There he organised the Western Luzon Guerrilla Forces, and
was commissioned captain on April 5, 1942. For three years, Magsaysay operated under Col.
Merrill's famed guerrilla outfit & saw action at Sawang, San Marcelino, Zambales, first as a
supply officer codenamed Chow and later as commander of a 10,000-strong force.[5]
Magsaysay was among those instrumental in clearing the Zambales coast of the Japanese prior
to the landing of American forces together with the Philippine Commonwealth troops on January
29, 1945.