| 1907 August 31 |
Born in Iba, Zambalez to Exequiel Magsaysay and Perfecta del
Fierro |
| |
|
| 1927 |
Initially enrolls in pre-law studies then shifts to an
Engineering course at the University of the Philippines (unfinished due to illness) |
| |
|
| 1930 |
Begins work as Mechanic at Try-Tran, a transportation firm,
continues college studies as a self-supporting student at Jose Rizal College |
| |
|
| 1933 March 22 |
Graduates from Jose Rizal College with a A.B. Commerce degree |
| |
|
| June 10 |
Marries Luz Banzon from Bataan, in Lourdes Church, Intramuros |
| |
Children: Teresita, Ramon, Jr., and Milagros. |
| |
|
| 1941 |
Becomes Manager of Try-Tran |
| |
|
| 1942-1945 |
Guerrilla years (Intelligence officer "Captain Chow") following Japan’s invasion of the
Philippines: |
| |
Overall Commander, Zambales Military District |
| |
Military Governor of Zambales |
| |
Reconstitutes a credible guerillas' roster for backpay benefits from the U.S. government |
| |
|
| 1946 |
Philippine independence proclaimed |
| |
|
| |
Runs as an independent candidate and elected Representative
of Zambales in the Philippine Congress |
| |
Member, Committee on Appropriation |
| |
Chairman, National Defense Committee |
| |
Joins the Liberal Party |
| |
|
| 1948 April 3 |
First trip to the US as head of a Congressional
veterans’ mission |
| |
Secures the approval of the Rogers Veterans Bill providing
for hospitalization and burial benefits of Filipino veterans |
| |
|
| 1949 |
HUKS (from Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon, a
guerrilla unit founded by Luis Taruc against the Japanese forces) abandon their quest for
reforms through legal & constitutional means |
| |
|
| |
Fighting accelerates against the Communists and the Huks |
| |
|
| November |
Presidential elections, Elpidio Quirino wins |
| |
|
| |
Re-elected to Congress as Representative of Zambales |
| |
|
| 1950 September |
Appointed Secretary of National Defense |
| |
|
| |
Goes back to Washington and successfully obtains military
assistance |
| |
Decisive reforms in military establishment boost morale and performance of Filipino soldiers and renews people's trust in government |
| |
|
| |
Effectively leads intensive socio-military campaign against
the communist-led Huks: "Hand of all-out force or all-out friendship" |
| |
|
| 1951 February 22 |
First agricultural camp under the Economic Development
Corps (EDCOR) Plan established in Katipunan, Lanao. The program resettled army retirees on
government land which they eventually owned. |
| |
|
| 1952 April |
Capture in Nueva Ecija of William Pomeroy, American
ideologist and leader of the Huk Propaganda corps |
| |
|
| 1953 February 28 |
Resigns as Defense Secretary. |
| |
|
| March 9 |
Takes oath of affiliation with the Nacionalista Party |
| |
|
| April 12 |
Nominated Presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party |
| |
|
| November 10 |
Elected President of the Philippines |
| |
|
| December 30 |
Sworn into office as the Country’s seventh Chief Executive.
Wears the "Barong Tagalog" during his inauguration, a first by a Philippine President.
More than 2 million people, the largest crowd ever for such a ceremony, witness the event.
|
| |
|
| |
Declares Malaca�ang Palace as the house of the people |
| |
|
| |
Creates Presidential Complaints & Action Committee to
attend directly to people’s complaints |
| |
|
| 1954 |
Laurel-Langley trade agreement between the Philippines and
the United States approved |
| |
|
| |
War Damages Commission stipulates the payments to the
Philippines of some $400 million as war damages |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization for Collective
Defense) formed during the Manila Conference |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Huk Leader, Luis Taruc, surrenders to the government |
| |
|
| 1955 |
Submits Republic Act No. 1400 or the Land Reform Act of 1955 |
| |
|
| February 19 |
"Treaty for the Collective Defense of Southeast
Asia" or the "Pacific Pact" approved |
| |
|
| |
Fall of a great number of Huk leaders |
| |
|
| |
Congressional Act No. 1292 passed creating a special fund
of P20,000,000 to be used as loans to the Filipino retail traders |
| |
|
| |
Creates the National Marketing Corporation (NAMARCO) to
extend help to Filipino businessmen engaged in the retail trade |
| |
|
| 1957 |
As part of Magsaysay’s peace initiative with
returning Huk rebels, 978 surrenderees’ families are lodged in the EDCOR agricultural
camps in Mindanao and in Isabela province |
| |
|
| |
Establishment & development of cooperatives &
credit agencies |
| |
|
| March 17 |
Dies in a plane accident at Mt. Manunggal, Cebu |
| |
|
| |
Vice President Carlos P. Garcia assumes the presidency |
| |
|
| March 22 |
An estimated 2 million attend the burial of President Ramon
Magsaysay |
