President Ramon Magsaysay's House, Castillejos Zambales

February 28, 2024, we left at around 06:20 in the morning to head for Zambales. North bound Edsa traffic was moderate but moving. The line at the toll plaza at NLEX,  Mindanao exit was relatively light. SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) was a breeze.  Once the scenery changed to views of mountain ranges, we knew we were in Zambales. From SCTEX, we took the SUBIC freeport exit and drove through mountains, zigzag winding roads. 

We reached Castillejos, Zambales at around 10:25 A.M to visit the museum of the 7th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Ramon Magsaysay served from December 30, 1953 to March 17, 1957. Documents, medals, some clothes, several pictures and personal belongings, even his private desk at Malacanang is found in the two storey abode, the ancestral house of his parents.

Entrance is FREE.

President Ramon Magsaysay was born in Iba, Zambales. He was married 
to Luz Banzon and they had three children former Senator Jun Magsaysay,
Teresita Banzon Magsaysay and Mila Banzon Magsaysay.

On March 17, 1957,  President Ramon Magsaysay (49 years old) along with 24 passengers died when his presidential plane named Mt. Pinatubo crashed on Mt. Manunggal in Cebu just 15 minutes after take-off. There was only ONE survivor, journalist Nestor Mata.

This illustration shows where the passengers were seated on the ill fated aircraft.