2008 in the Philippines
Encyclopedia
2008 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines
in 2008.
Typhoon Frank (Fengshen
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 2008.
Incumbents
- PresidentPresident of the PhilippinesThe President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
: Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga... - Vice PresidentVice President of the Philippines-Description:The Vice-President is the first in the Philippine line of succession, assuming the Presidency upon the death, resignation, or removal by impeachment and subsequent conviction of the incumbent. The position was abolished by Martial Law in 1972, and was not included in the original text...
: Noli de CastroNoli de CastroManuel Leuterio de Castro, Jr. , better known as Noli de Castro or "Kabayan" Noli de Castro, was Vice President of the Philippines .... - Senate PresidentSenate of the PhilippinesThe Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
: Manuel Villar - House SpeakerHouse of Representatives of the PhilippinesThe House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
: Jose de Venecia; Prospero NogralesProspero NogralesProspero C. Nograles is the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He was elected as the Speaker of the House on February 5, 2008, the first ever elected Speaker from Mindanao in a hundred years in Philippine legislative history... - Chief JusticeSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
: Reynato PunoReynato PunoReynato Puno y Serrano was the 22nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Appointed on December 8, 2006 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he was the 22nd person to serve as Chief Justice...
January
- January 9: Two people died and several others were injured as over 2 million FilipinosFilipino peopleThe Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
celebrate the feast of the Black NazareneBlack NazareneThe Black Nazarene, known to devotees as in English, is a life-sized, dark-coloured, wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ, believed to be miraculous by many Filipino devotees...
in QuiapoQuiapo, ManilaQuiapo is a district and city square of Manila. Referred as the "Old Downtown", Quiapo in known for where cheap buys or goods are being sold at rock-bottom prices and was the home of the Quiapo Church, where the feast for the Black Nazarene is held, with over millions of people attending...
, ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. - January 31: The National Economic and Development Authority announced that the country's 2007 full year gross domestic productGross domestic productGross domestic product refers to the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. GDP per capita is often considered an indicator of a country's standard of living....
indicated a growth of 7.3%, and a growth of 7.8% for the gross national productMeasures of national income and outputA variety of measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate total economic activity in a country or region, including gross domestic product , gross national product , and net national income . All are specially concerned with counting the total amount of goods and...
, the highest such figures since 1977.
February
- February 4 to February 5: The House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives of the PhilippinesThe House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
voted to replace House SpeakerSpeaker of the Philippine House of RepresentativesThe Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines is the presiding officer of the lower house of Congress, the House of Representatives....
Jose de Venecia with Prospero NogralesProspero NogralesProspero C. Nograles is the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He was elected as the Speaker of the House on February 5, 2008, the first ever elected Speaker from Mindanao in a hundred years in Philippine legislative history...
. Shortly before his removal, de Venecia criticized the administration of PresidentPresident of the PhilippinesThe President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
and announced to the media that he was joining the political opposition. - February 8: Jun Lozada, an official with the DENRDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines)The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for governing and supervising the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of the country's natural resources.-History:The Department of Environment and Natural...
, testified before the Philippine SenateSenate of the PhilippinesThe Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
that former COMELECCommission on Elections (Philippines)The Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, is one of the three constitutional commissions of the Philippines. Its principal role is to enforce all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, initiatives, referendums, and recalls....
Chairman Benjamin AbalosBenjamin AbalosBenjamin S. Abalos, Sr. is a politician and is a former chairman of the Philippine Commission on Election. He was also a MMDA Chairman and Mandaluyong City Mayor. He is the father of current Mandaluyong City mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr..-Early life:Benjamin Abalos was born into a poor...
offered a 200 million peso bribe to then-NEDA Chairman Romulo Neri in connection with the National Broadband Network contractPhilippine National Broadband Network controversyThe Philippine National Broadband Network controversy involved allegations of corruption in the awarding of a US$329 million construction contract to Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE for the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network .The contract with ZTE was signed on April 20,...
, and that Neri had instructed him not to implicate the husband of President ArroyoJose Miguel ArroyoJose Miguel "Mike" Tuason Arroyo is a former First Gentleman of the Philippines. He is the husband of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the former President of the Philippines and the current Congresswoman of Pampanga 2nd District....
in the controversy. - February 15: The Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
nullified warnings issued in 2006 by the Secretary of JusticeDepartment of Justice (Philippines)The Department of Justice , abbreviated as DOJ, is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for upholding the rule of law in the Philippines...
and the NTCNational Telecommunications Commission (Philippines)The Philippines' National Telecommunications Commission , abbreviated as NTC, is an agency of the Philippine government under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology responsible for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the...
against the airing of the so-called "Hello GarciHello Garci scandalThe Hello Garci scandal was a political scandal and electoral crisis in the Philippines.The scandal involved former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who allegedly rigged the 2004 national election in her favor. The official results of that election gave Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Noli de Castro...
" tapes.
March
- March 6: Several members of Congress call for an investigation into a 2004 joint oil exploration agreement between the Philippines, China and Vietnam over the disputed Spratly IslandsSpratly IslandsThe Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...
, claiming that the agreement was unconstitutional and infringed on national sovereignty. - March 6: Filipino authorities announce the arrest of three men from JordanJordanJordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
and IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
embassy and three other foreign missions in Manila. Two other suspects in the plot were later arrested in BoracayBoracayBoracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards numerous times. Boracay was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice...
. - March 11: A Manila trial court acquitted former First LadyFirst Lady of the PhilippinesThe First Lady/ Gentleman of the Philippines is the unofficial title of the hostess/host of the Malacañang Palace, the nation's residence of its head of state...
Imelda MarcosImelda MarcosImelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
of 32 counts of illegal money transfers. - March 16: In a split decisionSplit decisionA split decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which two of the three judges score for the same fighter as the winner, while the third judge scores for the other...
, Manny PacquiaoManny PacquiaoEmmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
defeated Juan Manuel MárquezJuan Manuel MárquezJuan Manuel Márquez Méndez , is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the fourth Mexican-born boxer to become a three-division world champion, where he won eight world titles in three different boxing weight classes.Currently, Marquez is the WBA Super, WBO and The Ring lightweight champion...
and claimed the WBCWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Super Featherweight boxing championship. - March 17: Labor SecretaryDepartment of Labor and Employment (Philippines)The Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment is the executive department of the Philippine Government mandated to formulate policies, implement programs and services, and serve as the policy-coordinating arm of the Executive Branch in the field of labor and employment...
Arturo BrionArturo BrionArturo D. Brion is an incumbent Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He took his oath as a member of the Supreme Court on March 17, 2008 after having been appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo...
was appointed Associate JusticeAssociate Justice of the Supreme Court of the PhilippinesAn Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is one of 15 members of the Philippine Supreme Court, the highest court in the Philippines. The Chief Justice presides over the High Court, but carries only 1 of the 15 votes in the court...
of the Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
. He replaced Justice Angelina Sandoval-GutierrezAngelina Sandoval-GutierrezAngelina Sandoval-Gutierrez is a Filipino jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 2000 to 2008. She was the last appointment to the Court made by President Joseph Estrada.-Profile:...
, who retired on February 27. - March 17: The Supreme Court of the United StatesSupreme Court of the United StatesThe Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
heard oral argumentOral argumentOral arguments are spoken presentations to a judge or appellate court by a lawyer of the legal reasons why they should prevail. Oral argument at the appellate level accompanies written briefs, which also advance the argument of each party in the legal dispute...
s on a certiorari petition filed by the Philippine government, which invoked sovereign immunitySovereign immunitySovereign immunity, or crown immunity, is a legal doctrine by which the sovereign or state cannot commit a legal wrong and is immune from civil suit or criminal prosecution....
in connection with the enforcement of an American civil judgment against the estate of former President Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand MarcosFerdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
in favor of 9,500 human rights victims. - March 24: The family of Corazon AquinoCorazon AquinoMaria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
announces that the former PresidentPresident of the PhilippinesThe President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
is suffering from colon cancer. - March 25: The Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
rules that the SenateSenate of the PhilippinesThe Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
may not compel former NEDA SecretaryExecutive Departments of the PhilippinesThe Executive departments of the Philippines is the largest component of the national executive branch of the government of the Philippines. There are a total of nineteen executive departments. The departments comprise the largest part of the country's bureaucracy...
Romulo NeriRomulo NeriRomulo Neri is a Filipino politician and former Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority , acting secretary of Department of Budget and Management , chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education and President of Social Security System under former President Gloria...
to divulge his conversations with President Macapagal-Arroyo relating the bribery attempts surrounding the National Broadband Network contractPhilippine National Broadband Network controversyThe Philippine National Broadband Network controversy involved allegations of corruption in the awarding of a US$329 million construction contract to Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE for the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network .The contract with ZTE was signed on April 20,...
.
April
- April 1: Social Welfare and Development SecretaryDepartment of Social Welfare and Development (Philippines)The Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for the protection of the social welfare rights of Filipinos and to promote social development.-History:...
Esperanza CabralEsperanza CabralEsperanza A. Icasas Cabral was the Secretary of the Department of Health in the Philippines. She took office in January 2010 replacing Dr. Francisco Duque after his appointment as head of the Civil Service Commission. Before her appointment as Secretary of Health, she was previously the Secretary...
calls for a ban on foreigners availing of Philippine kidney transplantsKidney transplantationKidney transplantation or renal transplantation is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation is typically classified as deceased-donor or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the donor organ...
, after reports of destitute Filipinos selling their kidneys for paltry sums. - April 3: Departing Manila after a state visitState visitA state visit is a formal visit by a foreign head of state to another nation, at the invitation of that nation's head of state. State visits are the highest form of diplomatic contact between two nations, and are marked by ceremonial pomp and diplomatic protocol. In parliamentary democracies, heads...
to the Philippines, PalauPalauPalau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
PresidentPresident of Palau-List of Presidents of Palau:-Latest election:-See also:*Vice-President of Palau*High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands...
Tommy RemengesauTommy RemengesauThomas Esang Remengesau, Jr. is a Palauan politician who served as president of Palau from 2001 to 2009.He became vice-president in 1992 and was elected as president in 2000; he took office on January 1, 2001. He wished to make Palau less dependent upon United States aid, and to promote limited...
is denied passage onto a Continental AirlinesContinental AirlinesContinental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
aircraft after he refuses to be frisked; the flight is forced to return to Manila after a bomb threat is phoned in. - April 7: Amidst growing concerns over a feared shortage of rice in the Philippines, President Macapagal-Arroyo lifts quotas on the importationImport quotaAn import quota is a type of protectionist trade restriction that sets a physical limit on the quantity of a good that can be imported into a country in a given period of time....
of rice by private traders. - April 8: PolicePhilippine National PoliceThe Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
seize hundreds of bomb components in Alaminos, LagunaAlaminos, LagunaAlaminos is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 40,380 people in 7,466 households. It has a land area of and is situated southeast of Manila. Located at northeast of Sto...
, following a raid that targeted a Filipino with alleged links to Jemaah IslamiyahJemaah IslamiyahJemaah Islamiah , is a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization dedicated to the establishment of a Daulah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and Brunei...
. - April 8: Nine military officersArmed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
receive prison sentences from a Makati CityMakati CityThe City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Makati is the financial center of the Philippines and one of the major financial, commercial and economic hubs in Asia...
trial courtTrial courtA trial court or court of first instance is a court in which trials take place. Such courts are said to have original jurisdiction.- In the United States :...
for their role in the 2003 Oakwood mutinyOakwood mutinyThe Oakwood mutiny occurred in the Philippines on July 27, 2003. A group of 321 armed soldiers who called themselves "Bagong Katipuneros" led by Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala and LtSG...
.
May
- May 11: Miss Philippines Earth 2008Miss Philippines Earth 2008Miss Philippines Earth 2008, the 8th edition of Miss Philippines Earth pageant, was held last May 11, 2008 at Crowne Plaza Galleria, Ortigas Center, Manila, Philippines. The event was broadcast by ABS CBN Network in the Philippines at 10 'o clock in the evening and The Filipino Channel...
, the 8th edition of Miss Philippines Earth pageant, was held at Crowne PlazaCrowne PlazaCrowne Plaza is a chain of full service, upscale hotels catering to business travelers and to the meetings and conventions market. It forms part of the InterContinental Hotels Group family of brands, which include InterContinental and Holiday Inn and operates in 52 countries, usually located in...
GalleriaGalleriaGalleria , or The Galleria, is a common name for a shopping mall, ultimately deriving from the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.- Australia :*Centro Galleria - Morley, Western Australia...
, Ortigas CenterOrtigas CenterOrtigas Center is Metro Manila's second most important Philippine financial district-cum-central business district after the Makati Financial and Central Business District in Makati City. With an area of at least 100 hectares, the district is located at the boundaries of Pasig City, Mandaluyong...
, Manila, Philippines. Miss Karla Paula HenryKarla Paula HenryKarla Paula Ginteroy Henry is a Filipino-Canadian beauty pageant titleholder. She was crowned Miss Earth 2008, becoming the first Philippine representative and the first in the Asian region to win that title....
of CebuCebuCebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
won the pageant. - May 16: Eight employees and a security guard of a Rizal Commercial Banking CorporationRizal Commercial Banking CorporationThe Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation was established in 1960 as a development bank and is licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for both commercial and investment banking...
branch in Cabuyao, LagunaCabuyao, LagunaCabuyao , or officially known as the Municipality of Cabuyao is a First Class urbanized municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is located about 43 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila and it is located at the western portion of Laguna...
were killed in a bank robbery. The bank manager of the said branch, who was also shot during the massacre, died of gunshot wounds on May 18. - May 19: The Manila Police District said that the bank robbers responsible for the murders in Paco, ManilaPaco, ManilaPaco, is a district of Manila, Philippines. It is located south of Pasig River, and San Miguel, west of Santa Ana, southwest of Pandacan, north of Malate, northwest of San Andres, and east of Ermita. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 64,184 people in 13,438 households...
and in Cabuyao, LagunaCabuyao, LagunaCabuyao , or officially known as the Municipality of Cabuyao is a First Class urbanized municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is located about 43 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila and it is located at the western portion of Laguna...
are the same. They also believed that the bank robbers are former members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. - May 27: The Manila Electric CompanyMeralcoThe Manila Electric Company , also known as MERALCO or Meralco, is the Philippines' largest distributor of electrical power.The word MERALCO, is an acronym for Manila Electric Railroad And Light COmpany, which was the company's original name from 1903 to 1919.MERALCO is the Metro Manila's only...
held its tension-filled annual stockholders meeting, which lasted for more than 13 hours, making it the longest stockholders' meeting in Philippine corporate history.. The head of the state pension fund Government Service Insurance System Winston Garcia filed a motion to the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend the stockholders' meeting after it questioned the proxy votes in favor of the Lopez family. The MERALCO board proceeded with the company's stockholders' meeting, defying a cease and desist order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission after it questioned the authenticity of the injunction order. After the rally and resistance of the stockholders against the bloc of Winston Garcia, the Lopez family retained control of MERALCO. The stockholders awarded five board seats to its representatives and only four seats to the representatives of the government. It took independent auditor SGV and Co. seven hours to come out with the results of the voting.
Ces Drilon kidnapping
- June 8 Ces Orena-DrilonCes DrilonCes Orena-Drilon or more commonly known as Ces Oreña-Drilon is an award winning Filipino broadcast journalist. She graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree of Bachelor of Arts major in Communication Research...
, news anchor of ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
's late night television program BandilaBandila (TV program)Bandila is an International Emmy-nominated late night news broadcast of ABS-CBN in the Philippines. The newscast is anchored by Julius Babao, Karen Davila, Ces Oreña-Drilon and Boy Abunda...
, together with her crew and a Mindanao university professor, was initially reported to have been kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Maimbung, Sulu, by the rebel group Abu SayyafAbu SayyafAbu Sayyaf also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya is one of several military Islamist separatist groups based in and around the southern Philippines, in Bangsamoro where for almost 30 years various Muslim groups have been engaged in an insurgency for an independent province in the country...
. - June 10 ABS-CBN management issued an official statement, saying that Drilon and her crew are missing in Sulu.
- June 11 ABS-CBN management confirmed that Drilon and her crew have been kidnapped for ransom in Sulu but declared that it "will abide by its policy not to pay ransom because this would embolden kidnap for ransom groups to abduct other journalists..."
- June 12 Angelo Valderama, the assistant cameraman from Drilon's crew, was released. The abductors named Indanan, Sulu mayor Alvarez S. Isnaji as their emissary in the ongoing negotiations for the other captives' release.
- June 16 The kidnappers Abu SayyafAbu SayyafAbu Sayyaf also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya is one of several military Islamist separatist groups based in and around the southern Philippines, in Bangsamoro where for almost 30 years various Muslim groups have been engaged in an insurgency for an independent province in the country...
issued an ultimatum. The rebel group demanded for ransom amounting to P15 million by noontime of June 17, in exchange for the release of Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo. - June 17 The Abu Sayyaf extended their deadline for the ransom payment. Later during the day, PNPPhilippine National PoliceThe Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
Chief Avelino Razon said that Drilon and the other hostages are expected to be released within the next few hours. Drilon and the hostages were freed shortly before midnight. - June 18 Ces Drilon and her crew were taken to Jolo, Sulu. Afterwards, they were brought by the Philippine army to Zamboanga city for a press conference. Philippine Senator Loren LegardaLoren LegardaLoren Legarda is a Filipino broadcast journalist, environmentalist, and politician of Visayan ancestry, notable as the only female to top two senatorial elections . During the 2004 Philippine general election, she ran for the position of Vice-President as an Independent with Fernando Poe, Jr...
joined the released hostages and was reported to be the negotiator to the Abu Sayyaf. Legarda and the released hostages flew afterwards to Manila for another press conferences, and were brought to The Medical City afterwards for medication. - June 19 PNP declared the Isnajis as suspects in the kidnapping of Drilon, her crew, and Dinampo.
Typhoon Frank (FengshenTyphoon Fengshen (2008)Typhoon Fengshen was the sixth named storm and the fourth typhoon recognised by the Japan Meteorological Agency...
)
- June 19: Typhoon Frank made landfall in eastern Samar in the central Philippines and travelled northwest over the islands. Fengshen was initially forecast to go through Bicol Region but later on shifted its course further westward, eventually going towards the direction of Mindoro Province. However, before even reaching Mindoro it again shifted its direction northward towards the direction of Metro Manila, mainly because of the weakening of the High Pressure area system in the northern part of the Philippines.
- June 21: The ship MV Princess of the StarsMV Princess of the StarsMV Princess of the Stars was a ferry owned by Filipino shipping company Sulpicio Lines that capsized off the coast of San Fernando, Romblon at the height of Typhoon Fengshen on June 21, 2008...
, owned by Sulpicio LinesSulpicio LinesPhilippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation is a shipping line in the Philippines. It is notable in the Philippines and around the world for owning and operating the vessel MV Doña Paz, which figured in the worst maritime disaster during peace time on December 20, 1987 where 4,375 people lost their...
that carried 626 passengers and 121 crew members, stalled in rough seas near Sibuyan Island in the central Philippines. The ship left Manila Saturday morning. Typhoon Frank caused the ship to sink, though it was previously reported that the ship experienced engine failure. - June 22: Typhoon Frank crossed Metro Manila between 5 am and 6 am Sunday.
- June 24: President Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
and US President George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
had a meeting at the Oval Palace in White House as part of the Philippine President's 10-day working visit in the USA. Issues on oil and food prices and terrorism were reportedly discussed in their meeting. - June 29: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with Republican White House Presidential candidate John McCainJohn McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
. The President expressed her gratefulness to the latter's support for the approval of the Veterans Equity bill. Other issues like terrorism in MindanaoMindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
were also discussed. - June 29: Manny Pacquiao won against David Diaz via knockout in the ninth round to win the WBC lightweight title.
July
- July 24: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed former Senator Ralph Recto as the socioeconomic planning secretary and director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
- July 28: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivered her eight State of the Nation Address (SONA).
- July 31: Fitness.Fashion, a catwalk team-up between some of the country’s top designers and best-selling activewear brands, at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila in Makati City, sponsored by SamsungSamsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics is a South Korean multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul...
and InquirerPhilippine Daily InquirerThe Philippine Daily Inquirer, popularly known as the Inquirer, is the most widely read broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines, with a daily circulation of 260,000 copies. It is one of the Philippines' newspapers of record...
Lifestyle
August
- August 30- The Eraserheads had their reunion at the Fort Bonifacio City Open Grounds in Taguig CityTaguig CityTaguig is a city in Metro Manila in the Philippines. From a thriving fishing community along the shores of Laguna de Bay, it is now an important residential, commercial and industrial center...
. Its a one night concert but after the 1st set(which they play only 15 songs) the concert had to be cut short because of Ely BuendiaEly BuendíaEleandre Basiño Buendia, popularly known as Ely Buendia, and also once adopting the stage name, Jesus "Dizzy" Ventura, is a Filipino writer and musician who gained fame as guitarist, songwriter, and lead vocalist in the popular Pinoy rock band The Eraserheads...
's worsing health condition and he was sent to the hospital.The media hailed the event a "concert of the year" in 2008 even if the event cut short.
November
- November 9: Miss Earth 2008Miss Earth 2008Miss Earth 2008, the 8th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held on November 9, 2008 at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. Eighty-five delegates arrived from October 19, 2008 in the Philippines...
was hosted by the Philippines at Clark Expo AmphitheaterExpo PilipinoExpo Pilipino was the Philippine National Centennial Exposition and centerpiece of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898...
in Angeles CityAngeles CityThe City of Angeles , located within the province of Pampanga in the Philippines, is locally classified as a first-class, highly-urbanized city. Its name is derived from El Pueblo de los Ángeles in honor of its patron saints, Los Santos Ángeles de los Custodios , and the name of its founder, Don...
, PampangaPampangaPampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
, PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Karla Paula HenryKarla Paula HenryKarla Paula Ginteroy Henry is a Filipino-Canadian beauty pageant titleholder. She was crowned Miss Earth 2008, becoming the first Philippine representative and the first in the Asian region to win that title....
of the PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
won the pageant.
Television
These are TV programs that premiered and had their finales this year; new seasons and miniseries are excluded.Premieres
- January 14: Wheel of FortuneWheel of Fortune (Philippine game show)There are two Philippine versions of Wheel of Fortune. The first was aired on ABC-5 aired from October 2001 to October 2002. It was hosted by Rustom Padilla and Victoria London...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
) - January 28: Kung Fu KidsKung Fu KidsKung Fu Kids is the first locally produced live-action fantasy series which tell the story of seven kids of different personalities united by a prophecy. The program is also the first TV series to use "Motion Capture Animation Effects" in the history of Philippine television. The series used the...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
), LoboLobo (TV series)Lobo is Philippine supernatural–fantasy horror TV series produced by ABS-CBN that premiered January 28, 2008 and ran through July 2008...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
), PalosPalos (TV series)Palos is a Philippine primetime action and drama television series of ABS-CBN. The series debuted on January 28, 2008, as part of the network's Primetime Bida line-up....
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
) - February 11: Joaquin BordadoJoaquin BordadoIt is an adaptation of a famous graphic novel by Carlo J. Caparas. It stars Robin Padilla in the title role. The series ended on July 11, 2008.-Origin:...
(GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - April 21: The Singing BeeThe Singing Bee (Philippine game show)The Philippine version of The Singing Bee premiered on April 21, 2008 on ABS-CBN. A combinination of karaoke singing and a spelling bee-style competition, this show features contestants trying to remember the lyrics to popular songs....
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
) - August 14: RakistaRakistaRakista is a weekly Filipino television comedy/musical series that centers on the exploits of a newly formed rock band composed of five Filipino college students. The show was first telecast on August 14, 2008, and airs Thursday nights on TV5...
(TV5Associated Broadcasting CompanyThe Associated Broadcasting Company, Inc is a television network in the Philippines, with main broadcast facilities and transmitter located at 762 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. The network was previously known as the , Associated Broadcasting Company remains the legal...
)
Finales
- January 11: Kapamilya, Deal or No DealKapamilya, Deal or No DealKapamilya, Deal or No Deal is the Philippine franchise of Deal or No Deal, hosted by Filipino actress, TV & game show host, Kris Aquino, which premiered on June 5, 2006 on ABS-CBN....
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
) - January 25: LastikmanLastikman (TV series)Lastikman is an action, dramedy fantaserye based on Mars Ravelo's comic book character bearing the same name. The show initially aired on ABS-CBN on September 24, 2007. Vhong Navarro played the title role. The story follows Miguel who transforms into a superhero who came from another planet...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
) - February 8: Zaido: Pulis PangkalawakanZaido: Pulis PangkalawakanZaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan is a Philippine fantasy-drama television series by GMA Network. It is a remake of the Japanese Metal Hero Series Uchuu Keiji Shaider...
(GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - February 29: Sine Novela: My Only Love (GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - March 28: Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang PagbabalikMaging Sino Ka Man: Ang PagbabalikMaging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik is the second installment of the drama Filipino, Maging Sino Ka Man which started on December 10, 2007...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
) - March 29: Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5? is the Philippine version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? It started airing the show on October 27, 2007 on GMA Network...
(GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - April 19: 1 vs. 1001 vs. 1001 vs. 100 is a game show created by Endemol that is aired in several countries. The game pits one person against 100 others for a chance to win a large cash prize. The game first aired in the Netherlands as Eén tegen 100, sponsored by the Nationale Postcode Loterij .- General format :In all...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
) - April 25: Kung Fu KidsKung Fu KidsKung Fu Kids is the first locally produced live-action fantasy series which tell the story of seven kids of different personalities united by a prophecy. The program is also the first TV series to use "Motion Capture Animation Effects" in the history of Philippine television. The series used the...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
), PalosPalosPalos may refer to:Places*Palos de la Frontera, a municipality in Spain*Cape Palos, cape on the Mediterranean coast of Spain*Palos Township, Cook County, Illinois*Palos Heights, Illinois*Paloş , a village in Caţa Commune, Braşov County, RomaniaEvents...
(ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
), KamandagKamandagKamandag, also known as Venom in English, is a fantasy Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from November 19, 2007 to April 25, 2008. Based from the graphic novel of Carlo J. Caparas, it starred Richard Gutierrez.-Origin:...
(GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - June 27: Babangon Ako't Dudurugin KitaBabangon Ako't Dudurugin KitaBabangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita or Sweet Revenge is a Philippine drama by GMA Network. Starring Marvin Agustin, Angelika dela Cruz, JC de Vera, Yasmien Kurdi and Dina Bonnevie and directed by Joel Lamangan, it aired on GMA Network from March 24, 2008 until June 27, 2008...
(GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - October 11: Ako Si Kim SamsoonAko si Kim SamsoonAko si Kim Samsoon or simply Kim Samsoon was a romantic comedy Philippine drama that was aired on GMA Network, a remake of a popular and award-winning Korean drama that originally aired on MBC TV on Summer 2005...
(GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - October 17: Diyesebel (GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
) - November 14: Codename: AseroCodename: AseroCodename: Asero , previously known as Asero, is a sci-fi-thriller Philippine drama produced and broadcast by GMA Network starring Richard Gutierrez and Heart Evangelista, based on an original concept by R.J. Nuevas....
(GMAGMA NetworkGMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
)
Film
- January 1: 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival
- Anak ng Kumander (MP Productions)
- Banal (ComGuild Production)
- Desperadas (Regal Films)
- January 9: Retaso (Grupong Sinehan)
- January 16: Sikil (Journey Films)
- February 13: My Bestfriend's Girlfriend (GMA FilmsGMA FilmsGMA Network Films, Inc. is a film production company and a film studio established in 1995 by GMA Network, Inc. in the Philippines....
) - February 27: My Big LoveMy Big LoveMy Big Love is a 2008 drama-romance film from Star Cinema starring Sam Milby, Toni Gonzaga and Kristine Hermosa.-Overview:Sam Milby stars as Macky, a nice, courteous, well-bred educated culinary chef. He has all the qualities of an ideal man—except that he is overweight. Penchant for food is his...
(Star CinemaStar CinemaABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. , is the wholly owned film production subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation. It is the Philippines' largest film production, producing most of the highest grossing films in the Philippines.-1994:...
)
Deaths
- January 1: Eloisa Mabutas, 69, Manila TimesManila TimesThe Manila Times is the oldest existing English language newspaper in the Philippines. It is published daily by The Manila Times Publishing Corp. with editorial and administrative offices at 371 A...
columnist (born 1939) - January 15: Eduardo HontiverosEduardo HontiverosFr. Eduardo Pardo Hontiveros, S.J. , also known as "Fr. Honti", was a Filipino Jesuit composer and musician, best-known as an innovative creator of Philippine liturgical music....
, 84, Jesuit composer and musician (born 1923) - January 28: Crisologo AbinesCrisologo AbinesCrisologo Abines was a Filipino politician. He was elected to three terms in the House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District of Cebu from 1987 to 1998. He served in the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Congresses....
, 60, former CongressmanHouse of Representatives of the PhilippinesThe House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
, 2nd District of Cebu (born 1947) - February 2: Billy BalbastroBilly BalbastroFilemon R. Balbastro, Jr. , better known as Billy Balbastro, was a Filipino lawyer and entertainment columnist.-Early life:...
, 68, entertainment columnist and DZMMDZMMABS-CBN DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 is the flagship AM station of ABS–CBN Corporation in the Philippines. The station's studio is located at the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center, Sgt. Esguerra Ave., cor. Mo. Ignacia St., Diliman, Quezon City, while the transmitter is located at F. Navarette St., Obando, Bulacan...
anchor (born 1940) - February 2: Pedro Baban, 94, first IgorotIgorotCordillerans are the people of the Cordillera region, in the Philippines island of Luzon. The word, Igorot is a misnomer term invented by the Spaniards in mockery against the Nortnern Luzon tribes. The word ‘Igorot’ also as coined and applied by the Spaniards means a savage, head-hunting and...
generalBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
of the Armed Forces of the PhilippinesArmed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
(born 1914) - February 4: Larry CruzLarry CruzLorenzo "Larry" J. Cruz was a Filipino restaurateur who founded the LJC Restaurant Group, which operates several restaurants in the Philippines. Among the restaurants he established through the LJC Group were Café Adriatico, Cafe Havana, Bistro Remedios, and Abe, which was named after his father,...
, 66, restaurateur, founder of LJC Restaurant Group (born 1941) - February 6: Stella Goldenberg Brimo, 96, classical pianist, dean of USTUniversity of Santo TomasThe Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
Conservatory of Music (born 1911) - February 8: Victor DominguezVictor DominguezVictor S. Dominguez was a Filipino politician. He was elected to six terms as a member of Congress, representing the Lone District of Mountain Province.-Notes:....
, 69, incumbent CongressmanHouse of Representatives of the PhilippinesThe House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
, Lone District, Mountain Province (born 1938) - February 22: Gilberto Teodoro, Sr.Gilberto Teodoro, Sr.Gilberto Teodoro, Sr. was a former SSS administrator.-Personal life:Gilbert Teodoro, Sr. was father of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., is also survived by his wife and former Batasang Pambansa member Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro, daughter-in-law Representative Monica Prieto-Teodoro and...
, 80, former SSS Administrator and father of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (born 1927) - February 29: Tino Reynoso, 62, retired Philippine Basketball AssociationPhilippine Basketball AssociationThe Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
player (born 1945) - March 8: Carol Varga, 80, FAMAS-award winning actress (born 1928)
- March 10: Galo Ador, Jr., 38, Filipino Komiks writer (born 1969)
- March 13: Joseph Marañon, 73, incumbent governor of Negros OccidentalNegros OccidentalNegros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...
(born 1934) - March 17: Rafael Recto, 76, former Batangas Assemblyman and political scion (born 1931)
- March 25: Chito Madrigal-Collantes, 86, socialiteSocialiteA socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
and philanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
(born 1921) - March 27: Toti Fuentes, 55, jazz pianist (born 1952)
- March 28: Nemesio PrudenteNemesio PrudenteNemesio Prudente was a political activist, writer and human rights defender in the Philippines He served as the President of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines from 1962 to 1972; and in 1986. Prudente earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Southern California...
, 80, former PUPPolytechnic University of the PhilippinesThe Polytechnic University of the Philippines commonly known as PUP is a public research university in the Philippines. It was founded on October 19, 1904 as the Manila Business School, offering commerce-related courses...
president and political prisonerPolitical prisonerAccording to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
(born 1927) - March 29: Venicio Escolin, 86, retired Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
Associate JusticeAssociate Justice of the Supreme Court of the PhilippinesAn Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is one of 15 members of the Philippine Supreme Court, the highest court in the Philippines. The Chief Justice presides over the High Court, but carries only 1 of the 15 votes in the court...
(born 1921) - April 14: Olivia CenizalOlivia CenizalOlivia Cenizal was a Filipino film actress.She was born as Gloria Pagtakhan Maigue in Imus, Cavite into a musical family. She was reportedly encouraged by Cirio H. Santiago to become a film actress. Her film debut was in Palahamak...
, 82, film actress (born 1926) - April 16: Lucia "Aling Lucing" CunananLucia CunananLucia "Lucing" Cunanan was a Filipino restaurateur credited in some quarters as having invented or re-invented sisig, a Kapampangan dish now popular all over the Philippines.-Career:...
, 79, inventor of sisigSisigSisig is a Kapampangan term which means "to snack on something sour". It usually refers to fruits, often unripe or half-ripe, sometimes dipped in salt and vinegar...
(born 1928) - April 19: Lou Salvador, Jr.Lou Salvador, Jr.Lou Salvador, Jr. was a Filipino film actor. He was dubbed as "The James Dean of the Philippines".He was the son of Lou Salvador, a famous basketball player turned film and stage producer. His father would direct him in such film roles as in Bad Boy and Barkada . Salvador, Jr...
, 67, film actor (born 1941) - April 23: Loreto Paras-SulitLoreto Paras-SulitLoreto Paras-Sulit was a Filipino writer best known for her English-language short stories.-Biography:Paras-Sulit was born in Ermita, Manila. After finishing her secondary education in Manila, she entered the University of the Philippines, where she first gained notice for her short fiction. While...
, 89, writer of short fiction (born 1908) - April 27: Marcos Mataro, 40, former member of Iglesia Ni CristoIglesia ni CristoIglesia ni Cristo also known as INC, is the largest entirely indigenous Christian religious organization that originated from the Philippines and the largest independent church in Asia. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in...
and ex-host of D'X-ManD'X-ManThe D’X-Man is a 30 minute expository-religious program emanating from the Philippines. It was conceptualized by Eli Soriano and Daniel Razon, Presiding and Vice Presiding Ministers of the Members Church of God International...
(born 1968) - May 4: Ramon Pagdanganan, 55, former Calumpit, BulacanCalumpit, BulacanCALUMPIT is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,017 people in 16,167 households.-Physical and Socio-Political:Land Area: 5,625 has.No...
Mayor and younger brother of ex-Governor Roberto PagdangananRoberto PagdangananRoberto M. Pagdanganan is a Filipino politician.-Personal life:Robert Pagdanganan was born to former councilor Juan T. Pagdanganan, Jr. and Mrs. Rosalina Mamangon Pagdanganan. He is brother of former Calumpit, Bulacan mayor Ramon Pagdanganan...
(born 1953) - May 8: Jose FeriaJose FeriaJose Y. Feria was a Filipino lawyer and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1986 to 1987. He was among the first appointees to the Supreme Court of President Corazon Aquino....
, 91, retired Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
Associate JusticeAssociate Justice of the Supreme Court of the PhilippinesAn Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is one of 15 members of the Philippine Supreme Court, the highest court in the Philippines. The Chief Justice presides over the High Court, but carries only 1 of the 15 votes in the court...
(born 1917) - May 16: Henry CanoyHenry CanoyDon Henry Canoy was a Filipino businessman and founder of Radio Mindanao Network.Canoy was born in Cagayan de Oro City into a family of teachers and traders....
, 74, founder of Radio Mindanao NetworkRadio Mindanao NetworkRMN is the largest radio network in the Philippines with almost 60 company-owned AM & FM radio stations located around the Philippines. Radio Mindanao Network remains the legal name of the radio network, while Radyo Mo Nationwide is the slogan of the network. The network's first radio station was...
; grandson of ABS-CBN reporter Jeff Canoy (born 1923) - May 20: Crispin BeltranCrispin BeltranCrispin 'Ka Bel' Beltran was a Filipino politician and a labor leader. A staunch critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, his imprisonment in 2006 and 2007 on disputed charges of rebellion and sedition drew international attention...
, 75, incumbent congressman and labor leader (born 1933) - May 25: Dommy Ursua, 71, flyweightFlyweightFlyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
boxer (born 1936) - May 26: Dolly AglayDolly AglayDolores “Dolly” Aglay-Elona was a Filipino business and financial journalist who worked for the Manila news bureau of Reuters News Agency and the Philippine Star during her career....
, 32, journalist with ReutersReutersReuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
and Philippine Star (born 1966) - May 26: Howlin' DaveHowlin' DaveDante David was a Filipino radio disc jockey. Better known by his stage name Howlin' Dave, he is credited with introducing Filipino radio listeners to Pinoy rock music in the early 1970s, and to new wave and punk rock in the 1980s.Howlin' Dave grew up in Pasay City and dropped out of high school...
, 54, radio disc jockey (born 1955) - May 29: Romeo Brawner, 73, incumbent COMELECCommission on Elections (Philippines)The Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, is one of the three constitutional commissions of the Philippines. Its principal role is to enforce all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, initiatives, referendums, and recalls....
Commissioner (born 1935) - June 7: Rudy FernandezRudy Fernandez (actor)Rodolfo "Rudy" Valentino Padilla Fernandez , also known as "Daboy", was a multi-awarded Filipino actor and producer. He came to prominence as an action star in the Philippine cinema during the 1980s up to the early 1990s.-Career:Fernandez was born in Manila, the son of film director Gregorio...
, 56, Filipino actor (born 1952) - June 7: Danilo LagbasDanilo LagbasDanilo P. Lagbas was a Filipino politician. A member of the Lakas-CMD Party, he was elected to two terms as a Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the First District of Misamis Oriental. He first won election to Congress in 2004, and was re-elected in 2007...
, 56, incumbent CongressmanHouse of Representatives of the PhilippinesThe House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
(born 1952) - July 22: Abbo de la Cruz, film director also known as "Rico Mambo" (born 1952/1953)
- July 22: Gilbert PerezGilbert PerezGilbert Perez was a Filipino film-television director. He is a certified Kapamilya.-TV Director:*Maalaala Mo Kaya...
, 49, movie and TV director (born 1959) - August 14: Jose Blanco, 76, painter (born 1932)
- August 16: Lucrecia KasilagLucrecia KasilagLucrecia Kasilag was a Filipino composer, music educator, and National Artist for Music.She studied composition with Wayne Barlow....
, 90, National Artist of the Philippines (born 1918) - August 28: Mang PandoyMang PandoyFelipe Natanio was a Filipino street vendor whose claim to fame was his role, under the pseudonym "Mang Pandoy" , as "the face of the poor" during the administration of President Fidel V...
, 62, street vendor and media icon (born 1945) - August 28: Zorayda SanchezZorayda SanchezZorayda Sanchez is a Filipino comedienne, actress, television and film scriptwriter.Sanchez was a regular fixture of comedy films in the 80's...
, 56, film and TV comedian (born 1952) - September 1: Dely Magpayo, 88, radio host best known as "Tia Dely" (born 1920)
- September 2: Nasty Mac, 30, Dongalo Wreckords Artist/rapper (born 1978)
- September 12: Pacita Madrigal Warns Gonzalez, 93, former SenatorSenate of the PhilippinesThe Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
(born 1915) - September 21: Roger Mercado, 69, adoptive father and uncle of Jennylyn MercadoJennylyn MercadoJennylyn Mercado is a Filipina actress, singer, songwriter and model. She was the winner of the first season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network in the Philippines...
(born 1939) - September 26: Cirio H. SantiagoCirio H. SantiagoCirio H. Santiago was a prolific Filipino film producer, director, writer and cinematographer. He also uses the screen names: Cirio Santiago and Leonard Hermes.-Life and career:...
, 72, film director (born 1936) - October 13: Khryss Adalia, 62, film and television director (born 1946)
- October 18: Alfredo E. EvangelistaAlfredo E. EvangelistaAlfredo E. Evangelista was a Filipino archeologist.-Biography:Evangelista obtained his Master's degree in anthropology in 1959 from the University of Chicago under the Fulbright Program...
, archaeologist, discovered the Laguna Copper PlateLaguna Copperplate InscriptionThe Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the earliest known written document found in the Philippines. The plate was found in 1989 by a sand laborer working on Lumbang River near the outlet to Laguna de Bay, in Barangay Wawa, Lumban, in the Laguna province.The inscription on the plate was first... - November 19: Eulogio Borres, 91, Mayor of Cebu CityCebu CityThe City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
(1963–1966; 1968–1979), politician (born 1917) - November 27: Armand FabellaArmand FabellaArmand V. Fabella was a Filipino businessman and educator. He served as Secretary of Education from 1992 to 1994.Fabella was born in Paris, France to Filipino parents. His father, Vicente K. Fabella, was the founder of Jose Rizal College...
, Secretary of EducationDepartment of Education (Philippines)The Department of Education , is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the management and governing of the Philippine system of basic education. It is the chief formulator of Philippine educational policy and is responsible for the Philippine primary and secondary...
(1992–1994), president of Jose Rizal UniversityJosé Rizal UniversityJosé Rizal University is a non-sectarian, non-stock private educational institution. It is located at Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It was founded in 1919 by Vicente Fabella, who was the first Philippine Certified Accountant.José Rizal University joined the National Collegiate... - December 4: Manuel Yan, 88, former AFP Chief of StaffArmed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
and diplomat; grandfather of the late Rico YanRico YanRicardo Carlos Castro Yan was a Filipino matinee idol, model and actor. He was under an exclusive contract in the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network. Rico Yan was a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic. He graduated from De La Salle University-Manila. Yan finish a degree in...
(born 1920) - December 7: Marky CieloMarky CieloMark Angelo Cadaweng Cielo , better known as Marky Cielo, was a Filipino actor, dancer, and the first known Igorot in Philippine showbiz. He is notable for his win in the reality talent competition StarStruck...
, 20, StarStruck 3's Ultimate Male Survivor and Ultimate Soul Survivor (born 1988) - December 10: Didith ReyesDidith ReyesMaria Helen Bella Avenila Santamaria , better known as Didith Reyes, was a Filipino actress and singer best known for recording a string of hit love ballads in the 1970s...
, 60, singer (born 1948) - December 17: Guillermo Cua, 58, incumbent party-list congressman (born 1950)
- December 23: Narciso BernardoNarciso BernardoNarciso C. Bernardo , also known as Ciso Bernardo, was a Filipino basketball player and coach. Bernardo was born in Manila, Philippines. He played for Mariwasa AC in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association. Bernardo also appeared at the Olympic Games as a member of the country's...
, 72, basketball player and Olympian (born 1937) - December 24: Ricardo ManapatRicardo ManapatRicardo Manapat was the Director of the Records Management and Archives Office of the Philippines from 1996–1998 and 2002–2008...
, 55, author & director of the National Archives (born 1953) - December 31: Rosendo delas Alas, 88, father of comedienne Ai-Ai de las AlasAi-Ai de las AlasMartina Aileen de las Alas, popularly known as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipino comedienne and film actress. She has three children, two with ex-husband singer-actor Miguel Vera.She is dubbed as Philippines Comedy Queen.-Personal life:...
(born 1920)