Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation

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 Malacañang 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