1991 in the Philippines

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See also:	List of years in the Philippines films

1991 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1991.

Incumbents

President Corazon Aquino

• President: Corazon Aquino (PDP-Laban)
• Vice President: Salvador Laurel (Nacionalista)
• President of the Senate: Jovito Salonga
• Speaker of the House of Representatives: Ramon Mitra, Jr.
• Chief Justice:
  • Marcelo Fernan (until December 6)
  • Andres Narvasa (starting December 6)
• Philippine Congress: 8th Congress of the Philippines

Events

January

• January 19 – A bomb attack on the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center in Makati failed, leaving one attacker dead.^[1]
• January 29 – The Philippine Constabulary and the Integrated National Police are merged to form the Philippine National Police.^[2]

February

• February 10 – Lenny Villa, a first-year Ateneo Law student, dies of serious physical injuries after three days of bloody hazing rites by the members of Aquila Legis fraternity.^[3]

June

• June 10 – About 15,000 Americans are evacuated from Clark Air Base as Pinatubo eruption begins.^[4][5][6][7]
• June 15 – Mount Pinatubo erupts, the peak of series of major explosions on June 12–16, in what will be the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century;^[4][8][9] volcano's alert level has been raised to the highest, June 9; Typhoon Yunya further worsens lahar flows and ashfalls causing collapse of roofs on structures that contribute to about 350 of 847 deaths. The eruption costs US$700-million in total damages.^{[5][6][10][11]}
• June 28 – SM Megamall is opened as the third SM Supermall in the Philippines.^[12]
• June 30 – Three members of Vizconde family are murdered at their home in Parañaque. The case becomes controversial as eight sons of prominent families are involved. The Supreme Court in 2010 would reverse the 2000 conviction of six of them, including Hubert Webb; the rest are still at large. A policeman, also convicted, would be sentenced to a prison term.^[13][14]

July

• July 2 - Eldon Maguan, an engineering student at De La Salle University, is shot in the head by Rolito Go in a road rage incident in San Juan, Metro Manila. Go was convicted of frustrated homicide, which was elevated to murder after Maguan died of his wounds days after. Go was eventually sentenced to reclusión perpetua only to escape and be re-arrested on multiple occasions from 1994 to 2012. He was eventually released from prison in 2016 upon completion of his sentence.
• July 13 – Maureen Hultman and John Chapman are murdered by Claudio Teehankee, Jr. The case was controversial as Teehankee is the son of a former Chief Justice.

September

• September 16 – The Senate, by a 12–11 vote, rejects the proposed RP-US Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace, which would have extended American military presence at Subic Bay Naval Base.^[5][10] American troops earlier abandoned Clark Air Base after Pinatubo erupted, and completed their withdrawal from Subic in 1992.

October

• October 10 – The Local Government Code, by virtue of Republic Act No. 7160, is signed into law.

Thelma while nearly stationary on November 5

November

• November 3 – Former First Lady Imelda Marcos returns to the country to face charges against her.^[15]
• November 4–5 – Tropical Storm Uring lashes into Eastern Visayas, leaving 8,000 people dead as a result of widespread flooding in the coastal city of Ormoc, Leyte.^[16]
• November 27 – US closes and surrenders Clark Air Base.^[17]

Holidays

Main article: Public holidays in the Philippines

As per Executive Order No. 292, chapter 7 section 26, the following are regular holidays and special days, approved on July 25, 1987.^[18] Note that in the list, holidays in bold are "regular holidays" and those in italics are "nationwide special days".

• January 1 – New Year's Day
• March 28 – Maundy Thursday
• March 29 – Good Friday
• April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
• May 1 – Labor Day
• June 12 – Independence Day
• August 25 – National Heroes Day
• November 1 – All Saints Day
• November 30 – Bonifacio Day
• December 25 – Christmas Day
• December 30 – Rizal Day
• December 31 – Last Day of the Year

In addition, several other places observe local holidays, such as the foundation of their town. These are also "special days."

Television

Main article: 1991 in Philippine television

These are TV programs that premiered and had their finales this year.

Premieres

• Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata, comedy (1991–1997)
• Maalaala Mo Kaya, drama anthology (1991–2022)
• Kape at Balita, morning show (1991–1993)

Finales

• Chika Chika Chicks, comedy (1987–1991)
• Goin' Bananas, comedy (1987–1991)

Sports

• November 24–December 3 – Manila is selected again as the host city for the 16th Southeast Asian Games, ten years since the 11th SEA Games held in the same city in 1981. The Philippine team participates in the 16th SEA Games and placed second with 91 gold, 62 silver and 84 bronze medals for a total of 237 medals ahead of Indonesia is in the first place.

Births

• January 14 – Kristel Moreno, actress
• February 5 – Juami Tiongson, basketball player
• February 12 – Simon Enciso, basketball player
• February 20:
  • Joshua Beloya, football player
  • Hidilyn Diaz, weightlifter and Olympic gold medalist
• February 21 – Jon Timmons, actor, model, and television personality
• March 18 – Jeric Teng, basketball player
• March 21 – Rhea Dimaculangan, volleyball player
• April 1 – Franco Hernandez, member of Hashtags (d. 2017)
• April 4 – Marlon Stöckinger, racing driver
• May 3 – Bela Padilla, actress
• May 9 – Kenneth Medrano, actor and model
• May 15 – Gerald Santos, actor and singer
• May 28 – Beauty Gonzalez, actress and model
• May 29 – Vin Abrenica, actor
• June 16 – Ryan Bang, Korean actor and comedian
• July 1 – Kim Molina, actress
• July 17 – Maverick Ahanmisi, basketball player
• July 19 – Arny Ross, actress
• August 4 – Neil Coleta, actor
• August 13:
  • Kayla Rivera, singer
  • Kazel Kinouchi, actress and model
• August 18 – Ed Daquioag, basketball player
• August 19:
  • Nathan Lopez, actor
  • Al James, singer and rapper
• August 21 – Carl Bryan Cruz, basketball player
• August 25 – Marisa Park, football player
• August 26 – Wil Dasovich, model and vlogger
• September 6 – Klarisse de Guzman, singer
• September 27 – Ynna Asistio, actress
• October 4 – Nico Elorde, basketball player
• October 22 – Melissa Gohing, volleyball player
• October 27 – Lincoln Velasquez, vlogger
• November 13
  • Kevin Alas, basketball player
  • James Forrester, basketball player
• December 11 – Mikhail Red, independent filmmaker
• December 12 – Michael DiGregorio, basketball player

Deaths

• April 25 – Lamberto V. Avellana (b. 1915), film and stage director
• May 22 – Lino Brocka (b. 1939), film director
• July 11 – Atang de la Rama (b. 1902), film actress and singer

References

1. Karganilla, Bernard (August 12, 2008). "National Security and History". Malaya - The National Newspaper. Retrieved August 28, 2024 – via Wayback Machine internet archive.
2. Bielakowski, Alexander M. (2013). Ethnic and Racial Minorities in the U.S. Military: A-L. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-59884-427-6. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
3. "SC punishes 5 frat members for Lenny Villa's death". Rappler. February 21, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
4. "Mount Pinatubo: The June 1991 Eruptions". U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center. 55: 7. 1992. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
5. "U.S. says Mt. Pinatubo has ended Clark Field's attraction as a base" The Washington Post. July 16, 1991. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
6. —"U.S. Evacuating 20,000 From Philippines" Los Angeles Times. June 17, 1991.
   —"Ash Falls Around Pinatubo" Associated Press. June 23, 1991.
   All were retrieved June 18, 2022.
   
   Videos:
   —"Mount Pinatubo: Predicting a Volcanic Eruption" PBS Learning Media. Uploaded Jan. 26, 2006.
   —"Nightly News, 1991: Mount Pinatubo erupts in the Philippines" NBC News. Uploaded Oct. 11, 2018.
   All were retrieved June 17, 2022.
7. "U.S. Evacuates Philippine Base as Volcano Erupts" AP via The New York Times. June 10, 1991. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
8. Newhall, Christopher G. (1997). The Cataclysmic 1991 Eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
9. "Chase's Calendar of Events 2018: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months" London: Bernan Press. 2017. (p. 323)
10. (Opinion) "Memoirs of Pinatubo eruption and the US military bases" BusinessMirror. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
11. —"Pinatubo 25 Years Later: Eight Ways the Eruption Broke Ground" Eos. June 9, 2016.
    —"The Cataclysmic 1991 Eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines" USGS Publications Warehouse, United States Geological Survey. 2005.
    —"Pinatubo 1991" Volcano Hazards, United States Geological Survey.
    —"Pinatubo - Eruption Features" National Geophysical Data Center.
    —"Mount Pinatubo" Cool Geography.
    —Articles from Encyclopædia Britannica: (1) "Mount Pinatubo" (2) "Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, 1991"
    —(Video) "Mount Pinatubo: The Aftermath of a Volcanic Eruption" PBS Learning Media. Uploaded Jan. 22, 2013.
    All were retrieved June 17, 2022.
    
    "People's Response to Eruption Warning: The Pinatubo Experience, 1991-92" USGS Publications Warehouse, United States Geological Survey. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
12. "At 25, SM Megamall Ushers New Mall Revolution". SM Investments Corporation. August 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021. SM Megamall opened its doors to the public some 25 years ago on June 28, 1991 with a total floor plate of 311,898 square meters that stretched for almost a mile and consisted of six levels.
13. Reid, Robert H. (June 27, 1995). "Murder Allegations Against Senator's Son Shock Country". AP News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021. The latest case began on June 30, 1991, when Estrellita Vizconde, 47, and her daughters Carmelita, 18, and Jennifer, 7, were found stabbed to death in their home in a Manila suburb
14. For the details of the case:
    —"G.R. No. 127262" Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Jul. 24, 1997. (Covering events before and on 1997) Retrieved Jul. 9, 2022.
    —"G.R. No. 176389" Lawyerly. Dec. 14, 2010. Retrieved Oct. 8, 2021
    —"What went before?" Inquirer.net. June 28, 2011. Retrieved Jul. 7, 2022.
    
    Case is also mentioned:
    —"Key witness in Vizconde massacre tracked in Canada" The Filipino Post (Canada). Jan. 18, 2011. Retrieved Oct. 8, 2021.
15. Di Cicco, Michael (November 3, 1991). "Imelda Marcos returns to Philippines". UPI. United Press International. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
16. Parker, Dennis J. (2000). Floods. Vol. 1. Taylor & Francis. p. 400. ISBN 9780415227438. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
17. Reid, Robert (December 27, 1991). "Philippines Announces Subic Closure". AP News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021. Clark Air Base, the other major U.S. installation, was closed last month after it was severely damaged by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. It was handed back to the Philippines on Nov. 27.
18. "Executive Order No. 292 [BOOK I/Chapter 7-Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days]". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. July 25, 1987. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2022.