1981 in the Philippines

none April 2013 1981 1936 1981 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1981. Incumbents center center Ferdinand Marcos' official portrait during his second term (1969) (cropped).jpg President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Ferdinand E.Marcos Sr. 129 Prime Minister Cesar Virata.jpg Vice-President Cesar Virata Cesar A.Virata 122 Enrique Fernando.jpg Chief Justice Enrique Fernando Enrique M.Fernando 106 Querube Makalintal.jpg 108 House Speaker Querube Makalintal Querube C.Makalintal President: Ferdinand Marcos (KBL) Prime Minister: Ferdinand Marcos (KBL) (until June 30) Cesar Virata (KBL) (starting June 30) House Speaker: Querube Makalintal Chief Justice: Enrique Fernando Events January January 5 – The Film Academy of the Philippines is founded through Executive Order 640-A issued by President Ferdinand Marcos. January 17 – Martial Law is lifted by President Marcos.Dorr Steven R. The Philippines in a Changing Southeast Asia: Conference Papers 1989 Defense Academic Research Support Program 3 https://books.google.com/books?id=OHRyAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA3 21 April 2021 en Until late January – Constant heavy rains that began on December 19, 1980, batter eastern Mindanao, resulting to massive flooding in several areas along Agusan River, particularly on January 18—the worst since 1962. President Marcos declares Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, disaster areas. The total damage is placed at $13 million.United Press International January 19, 1981 60 die in Philippine floodwaters https://books.google.com/books?id=1XRkAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA116&dq=philippine+die&article_id=1551,5546683&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCq_OMlIWTAxWyka8BHUxzBqYQ6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20die&f=false The Calgary Herald Calgary February 28, 2026 D20 Google Books By January 29, there are 204 people reported dead.January 29, 1981 In Brief — 204 die in floods https://books.google.com/books?id=gvtUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=philippine+die&article_id=5263,5431136&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCq_OMlIWTAxWyka8BHUxzBqYQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20die&f=false The Age Melbourne February 28, 2026 8 Google Books February February 12 – Moslem rebels attack a Philippine Army unit in Pata Island, Sulu, killing 119–124 troops in the worst outbreak of fighting since the 1974 rebel offensive of Jolo.February 14, 1981 Moro rebels kill 124 in Philippines fighting https://books.google.com/books?id=V_pXAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=1974+zamboanga+attack&article_id=2173,5159778&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj6r9WyppGPAxUIZvUHHWj_GfEQ6AF6BAgFEAM#v=onepage&q=1974%20zamboanga%20attack&f=false United Press International The Bulletin Bend, Oregon 16 August 16, 2025 Google BooksDecember 13, 2009 More Massacres in Mindanao than other parts of the country https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-times/20091213/281835754803916 The Manila Times August 16, 2019 PressReader February 17–22 – First papal visit of Pope John Paul II in the country; during the visit, he beatified Lorenzo Ruiz."9 Surprising Facts About Papal Visits To The Philippines" FilipiKnow. Retrieved June 26, 2022.Information about the past visits by Pope John Paul II:—"Pope John Paul II’s visits to PH" Inquirer.net. Apr. 26, 2014.Information about all of the official visits:—"In the Know: 3 papal visits in span of 25 years" Inquirer.net. July 30, 2014.—"Looking Back at The Three Catholic Popes Who Have Visited The Philippines" Esquire Magazine (Philippines). Mar. 30, 2018.All were retrieved June 27, 2022. February 26 – A U.S. Air Force C-130 plane crashes into the South China Sea, near Subic Bay Naval Base, killing 23 of 24 American, Philippine, Australian, and New Zealand military personnel aboard.The 1982 World Book Year Book World Book, Inc. 1982 0-7166-0482-5 Chicago 0084-1439 registration https://archive.org/details/1982worldbookyea00chic April April 7 – National and local plebiscites are held. The majority of the Filipino people voted yes to the terms and constitutional amendments. All were in favor of the creation of the new municipalities in Bohol, South Cotabato and Zamboanga del Norte provinces. June June 16 – Presidential election and referendum are held. Incumbent president Marcos of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan is re-elected, defeating twelve other candidates in a landslide victory by obtaining 18309360 20801403 2 of valid votes; while 16268523 20061845 2 agree having a barangay election immediately thereafter.1981 Report of the Commission on Elections to the President of the Philippines, the Prime Minister, and the Batasang Pambansa, on the manner the election of President of the Philippines was held on June 16, 1981 https://books.google.com/books?id=xJWJAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA38&dq=philippine+barangay+1972&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&ovdme=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZxKKa3euPAxUea_UHHYa3Ar8Q6AF6BAgMEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20barangay%201972&f=false Manila Commission on Elections September 1, 2025 Google Books Most opposition parties boycott the elections as a sign of protest over the 1978 elections for an interim Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) which they condemned as fraudulent.Kamm Henry February 6, 1981 PHILIPPINE OPPOSITION TO BOYCOTT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/06/world/philippine-opposition-to-boycott-presidential-election.html live April 6, 2021 The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos https://web.archive.org/web/20150524080118/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/06/world/philippine-opposition-to-boycott-presidential-election.html May 24, 2015 July July 1 – Tropical Storm Kelly lashes through the islands, killing 120 people in floods and mud slides. August August 31 – Pirates raid trading vessel Nuria 767, with Jolo, Sulu–Labuan, Malaysia route, in the Sulu Sea off Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi, loot it and shoot to death 10–11 people; 48 passengers leap into the sea to escape, some of them are later rescued while 25 are drowned.Sulu Sea attack: September 2, 1981 Pirate raid toll heavy in Sulu Sea https://books.google.com/books?id=a7wzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=1981+pirate+attack+philippines&article_id=6963,638137&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrkevb3JGPAxVIj68BHYkwArgQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=1981%20pirate%20attack%20philippines&f=false United Press International The Bulletin Bend, Oregon A-10 August 16, 2025 Google Books Elleman Bruce 2018 Seaborne Perils: Piracy, Maritime Crime, and Naval Terrorism in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia https://books.google.com/books?id=RjJKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA128&dq=1975+sulu+attack&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&ovdme=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwixnMzFxpGPAxXOzjQHHY4ILmMQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=1975%20sulu%20attack&f=false Lanham, Maryland Rowman & Littlefield 128 9781442260207 August 16, 2025 Google Books September September 20 – The Philippine Navy destroyer 'Datu Kalantlaw' runs aground, killing at least 40 sailors. November November 17 – Manila Film Center collapses,del Mundo Fernando 26 dead in Philippines movie theater collapse https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/17/26-dead-in-Philippines-movie-theater-collapse/8733374821200/ 21 April 2021 UPI United Press International 17 November 1981 https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015709/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/17/26-dead-in-Philippines-movie-theater-collapse/8733374821200/ 12 November 2020 en killing 169 workers. November 24 – Typhoon Irma batters the northern part of the island of Luzon, killing more than 50 people. December December 26 – Typhoon Lee sweeps across the Philippines, killing 50 people and leaving nearly 200,000 homeless. Holidays Public holidays in the Philippines Letter of Instruction No. 1087, issued by President Marcos in 1980 that provided revised guidelines for observation of holidays, remained in effect.Revised Guidelines for the Observance of Special and Legal Holidays LOI 1087 November 26, 1980 https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/34/26560 February 21, 2026 Compared to the previously-repealed Letter of Instruction No. 814 issued in 1979, the letter strictly mandated that when a legal holiday fell on a Sunday, only a proclamation was required to declare the following Monday a special public holiday. Moreover, the observance of Bataan Day, from April 9, was moved to May 6, to be known collectively as Araw ng Kagitingan that commemorating as well Corregidor and Besang Pass, to be effective that year.Guidelines for Observation of Special Holidays and a Calendar of Special Holidays for 1979 LOI 814 February 15, 1979 https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/34/13770 February 21, 2026 Legal public holidays January 1 – New Year's Day April 16 – Maundy Thursday April 17 – Good Friday May 1 – Labor Day May 6 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan, Corregidor and Besang Pass Day) June 12 – Independence Day July 4 – Filipino-American Friendship Day August 30 – National Heroes Day November 30 – Bonifacio Day December 25 – Christmas Day December 30 – Rizal Day Nationwide special holidays April 6 – additional holiday in line with the April 7 nationwide plebisciteDeclaring Apr. 6, 1981 as a special non-working public holiday PP 2072 March 31, 1981 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1981/proc_2072_1981.html February 25, 2026 June 15 – additional holiday in line with the June 16 presidential electionDeclaring June 15, 1981, as a special public holiday PP 2090 June 10, 1981 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1981/proc_2090_1981.html February 25, 2026 June 30 – additional holiday; presidential inaugurationDeclaring June 30, 1981, as a special non-working public holiday PP 2095 June 23, 1981 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1981/proc_2095_1981.html February 25, 2026 September 11 – Barangay Day September 21 – Thanksgiving Day November 2 – in line with the All Saints Day as November 1 fell on a SundayDeclaring Nov. 2, 1981, as a special non-working public holiday PP 2130 October 30, 1981 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1981/proc_2130_1981.html February 25, 2026 December 31 – Last Day of the Year Entertainment and culture For the events related to Philippine television in 1981, see 1981 in Philippine television. Sports December 6–15 – Philippines hosts the 11th Southeast Asian Games for the first time in Manila.History of the SEA Games https://web.archive.org/web/20120801031004/http://www.olympic.org.my/web/gamesrecords/sea/sea_history.htm August 1, 2012 The country ranks third with an overall total of 187 medals. Births January 5 – Kyla, actress, singer, host January 19: Paolo Bugia, basketball player Kerby Raymundo, basketball player February 1 – Jay-R, actor, singer, host February 26 – Assunta De Rossi, actress, model February 28 – Jhezarie Javier, actress March 4 – Carol Banawa, actress, singer, host March 7 – Rica Peralejo, actress March 22: Karylle, actress, host Mark Andaya, actor and basketball player April 21: Luis Manzano, actor, host Kathleen Hermosa, actress Cindy Kurleto, Austrian model and actressIt is unknown on what year Cindy Kurleto was born. IMDb listed her year of birth as 1981, thus making Kurleto 1981 4 21 years old. May 5 – Paul Artadi, basketball player May 12 – Dennis Trillo, actor June 10 – Arwind Santos, basketball player June 15 – James Blanco, actor, model June 20 – Maricar Reyes, Filipina actress, endorsement June 23 – Mikey Bustos, singer, comedian, and YouTube content creator July 3 – Empoy Marquez, singer, actor, model, endorsement, comedian July 26 - Chi Atienza, politician and Vice Mayor of Manila July 31 – M.C. Caceres, basketball player August 5 – Tanya Garcia, actress August 26 - Marcus Madrigal, actor August 30 – Antoinette Taus, actress, singer, host, model September 14 – Patrick Garcia, actor September 19 - Jeff Napa, basketball coach October 15 – Ronald Tubid, basketball player October 16 – Marc Pingris, basketball player October 17 – Paul Soriano, film director and producer October 19 – Christian Bautista, actor, singer, host October 20 – Isabel Oli, actress, model October 24 – Alfred Vargas, actor, model, politician October 29 – Angelika Dela Cruz, actress and politician November 1: Mark Borboran, basketball player Coco Martin, actor producer and VTR commercial voice endorsement November 13 – Mark Cardona, basketball player November 18: Gian Magdangal, singer and actor Dianne dela Fuente, singer and actress December 8 – Ranidel de Ocampo, basketball player December 11 – Lani Cayetano, politician Deaths March 22 – Gil Puyat, Filipino businessman and politician, Senator of the Philippines and Senate President (b. 1907)Philippines. Supreme Court Supreme Court Reports, Annotated https://books.google.com/books?id=8qUxAQAAIAAJ 1988 Central Book Supply, Incorporated 655 July 6 – Fort Acuña, professional basketball player and coach (b. 1948) July 25 – Gerardo de León, film director and actor (b. 1913) December 30 – Alfie Anido, actor (b. 1959) See also 1981 in Philippine television References 1981