Magsaysay’s death anniversary recalled

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales: This small but bustling town came alive Friday to mark the 49th death anniversary of its most famous son, the late President Ramon Magsaysay.

The municipal government of Castillejos, headed by acting Mayor Enrique Clarin, held a Mass early in the morning at the Saint Nicolas Church in Magsaysay’s honor.

Government officials and members of the community offered flowers at the Magsaysay monument at the covered pavilion in front of the town hall.

“The residents of Castillejos are very proud that one of the presidents of the Philippines came from this little town,” Clarin told The Manila Times.

Town officials also held a motorcade to the Magsaysay ancestral home, where they conducted a tour of the late President’s birthplace.

The day ended with a cultural show at the town hall, with participants from different schools and barangays, as part of the town’s homage to “The Guy.”

Among those who attended the program were Gov. Vicente Magsaysay of Zambales and his son, Vicente Jr., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority senior director.

President Magsaysay died on March 17, 1957, aboard the presidential plane Mt. Pinatubo, which crashed in Mount Matunggal, Cebu.
--Anthony Bayarong, Manila Times