Ramon Magsaysay

Ramon Magsaysay (born Aug. 31, 1907, Iba, Phil.—died March 17, 1957, near Cebu) was the president of the Philippines (1953–57), best known for successfully defeating the communist-led Hukbalahap (Huk) movement. The son of an artisan, Magsaysay was a schoolteacher in the provincial town of Iba on the island of Luzon. Though most Philippine political leaders were of Spanish descent, Magsaysay was of Malay stock, like most of the common people. Working his way through José...