By HENRY EMPEÑO | March 17, 2026

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales — Government officials, war veterans, and plain citizens in Zambales paid tribute to the late President Ramon Magsaysay Sr. here on Tuesday, as the province commemorated the death anniversary of its most beloved son who was famously known as “Idol of the Masses” for his connection to the common people.

Magsaysay, the seventh President of the Philippines, died 69 years ago on March 17, 1957, when his presidential plane “Mt. Pinatubo” crashed into Mt. Manunggal in Cebu shortly before takeoff.

Zambales Board Member Jun Rundstedt Ebdane, who represented Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., led last Tuesday’s anniversary commemoration, along with Vice Gov. Jacqueline Khonghun, Castillejos Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, and representatives from the National Historical Commission.

The officials offered flowers at President Magsaysay’s statue here at the Magsaysay ancestral house, which has been converted into a museum to house presidential memorabilia.

In his tribute, Board Member Ebdane urged Zambaleños to always remember Magsaysay’s enduring legacy as a populist leader.

“Bilang Zambaleño, tungkulin nating pangalagaan at ipagpatuloy ang pamana na iniwan ni Pangulong Magsaysay—sa pagpapahalaga ng katapatan, malasakit, at tapat na paglilingkod sa ating kapwa (As Zambaleños, it is our duty to safeguard and continue the legacy of President Magsaysay—in valuing honesty, empathy, and faithful service to our fellowmen),” Ebdane said.

Magsaysay is revered by the Filipino people for humility, integrity, and dedication to ordinary people, for which he opened the gates of Malacañang during the presidency.

He was also fondly remembered for the dictum that “Those who have less in life should have more in law.”

A humble automobile mechanic by profession, Magsaysay was appointed military governor of Zambales following his outstanding service as guerilla leader during the Pacific War. He later served as Zambales congressman for two terms, was appointed Secretary of National Defense in 1950, and won as President by a landslide in1953.

Under Proclamation No. 15 signed in March 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., March 17 of each year is being celebrated as “Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Day.”

Gov. Ebdane had since declared March 17 as a special non-working holiday in Zambales to honor the legacy of President Magsaysay. ▲