Pres. Ramon Magsaysay Museum in Castillejos, Zambales

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is annually given to “persons – regardless of race, nationality, creed or gender – who address issues of human development in Asia with courage and creativity, and in doing so have made contributions which have transformed their societies for the better… It was established to honor the 7th President of the Philippines’ memory and perpetuate his example of integrity in public service and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.” But who Ramon F. Magsaysay was and where he came from is something not everyone, even in the Philippines knows about.

Pres. Ramon Magsaysay’s Sculpture by Abdulmari Imao, National Artist

I for one, only knew that he was born in Iba, Zambales, and died in a plane crash on March 17, 1957 in Mt. Manunggal, Cebu while serving then as President of the Philippines. Only when I worked on a short film for Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez of Castillejos, Zambales last month [March 2013] had I come to know that Magsaysay grew up in that town, and that his ancestral house has become a museum currently being managed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Below are photos that I took, the first time I set foot on his ancestral house a few weeks ago. To see how the town of Castillejos looked like before and during the first term of re-elected Mayor Angelo, here’s the link to you tube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIz90jaltmA

The Ancestral House of Pres. Ramon F. Magsaysay

Magsaysay Bust

The Eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 Heavily Affected the House

The exhibits on the ground floor of the house

Collection of barong

Photos and commemorative stamps

Shoes inthe 50s

Toiletries…

Canes

Medals and other awards

Seal of the Philippine President; Photo of Jose Rizal in the foreground

The President’s Car – Cadillac c. 1954

Photo of Pres. Magsaysay on his jeep

The Jeep on the Photo

Stairs Leading to the Second Floor

Antique Collection

The Sala

Rowing “equipment” used by the President to exercise

Designed to let air circulate

Painting of Magsaysay

Museum Curator Demonstrates how it works

Lamp

Working Area

Religious Icons in the bedroom

The Bedroom

Another Hanging Lamp

Pres. Magsaysay Meets the First President of the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo

The Radio

The Sala Where the Painting of Pres. Magsaysay is Displayed Prominently

The historical marker installed beside the main door of the ancestral house says: “In this house, Ramon Magsaysay, 7th President of the Republic of the Philippines and known as “The Guy” spent the fruitful years of his life. He left the legacy and values of being hard working, civic duty for ordinary people and patriotic work for the country and its people. The house had renovated by his descendants in 1990 but was heavily damaged when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in June 1991. The National Historical Commission have it renovated again in 1999.

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