1996 in the Philippines

1996 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1996.
Incumbents
President: Fidel Ramos (Lakas)
Vice President: Joseph Estrada (NPC)
Senate President
Neptali Gonzales (until October 10)
Ernesto Maceda (starting October 10)
House Speaker: Jose de Venecia, Jr.
Chief Justice: Andres Narvasa
Philippine Congress: 10th Congress of the Philippines
Events
January
January 22 – A Philippine Navy gunboat engages in a battle with three Chinese naval vessels near Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, marking the first violent military confrontation involving the two countries and further triggering an ongoing diplomatic crisis.
February
February 14 – Violent clashes erupt between Filipino soldiers and Vietnamese boat people, as the Philippines government attempts to forcibly repatriate hundreds of Vietnamese asylum seekers.
February 18 – At least 50 people were killed when the overcrowded ferry ML Gretchen I capsized at the entrance to the port of Cadiz, Negros Occidental; the incident happened when passengers shifted to one side to avoid high waves.
March
March 18 – Fire razes Ozone Disco in Quezon City, killing 162 guests including college graduating students and 95 more injured. The incident was officially acknowledged as the worst fire in Philippine history, and among the 10 worst nightclub fires in the world.
March 24 – A mining disaster occurs on the island province of Marinduque when the leftover mine tailings from the drainage of the Marcopper Mining Corporation are leaked into the river and spilled into the sea.
June
June 13 – Retired P/Col. Rolando Abadilla, intelligence officer during the Marcos administration, is assassinated in Quezon City. Communist Alex Boncayao Brigade claims responsibility. Five of the seven accused would be convicted in 1999.
July
July 24–25 – Typhoon Gloria loosed rains and flooding that killed nearly 60 people on Luzon and Mindoro Islands.
July 31 – Sarah Balabagan, a migrant worker sentenced and imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates for almost two years for killing her employer in self-defense, is freed; will return to the country the next day.
August
August 1 – Mabuhay, moved to its new orbital slot. Mabuhay satellite, previously named Palapa B-2P, was acquired by Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation on an earlier date this year. Mabuhay became one to be owned by a Filipino entity.
August 10 – Sagay becomes a city in the province of Negros Occidental through ratification of Republic Act 8192 which was approved last June 11.
September
September 2 – A permanent peace agreement is signed at Malacañang Palace between the government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front.
November
November 24–25 – 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit is held in Subic, Zambales; the first time the country hosted the event.
December
December 7 – Marikina becomes a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila through ratification of Republic Act 8223 which was approved last November 6.
Holidays
As per Executive Order No. 292, chapter 7 section 26, the following are regular holidays and special days, approved on July 25, 1987. 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
April 4 – Maundy Thursday
April 5 – 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
Sports
May 26 – The Alaska Milkmen defeated the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, 93-92 in overtime to win the 1996 PBA All-Filipino Cup Finals.
July 19–August 4 – The Philippines participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States and ranked 61st. Athlete Mansueto Velasco received his silver medal and placed second in boxing.
September 10 – The Alaska Milkmen won against the Formula Shell Zoom Masters, grabbing their second championship for the season.
December 17 – The Alaska Milkmen has won the coveted grandslam, winning the series over Ginebra San Miguel, 4-1.
Concerts
December 8–10 – Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour: Asiaworld City, Parañaque
Births
January 4 – Joshua Colet, actor and model
January 6 – Elisse Joson, actress and model
January 9 – Robb Guinto, model, actress, and social media influencer
January 10 – Joshua Pacio, mixed martial artist and former MMA World Champion
January 15 – Julian Estrada, actor
January 21 – Hannah Arnold, beauty queen
January 22 – Khalil Ramos, actor and singer
February 15 – Skusta Clee, rapper, member of Ex Battalion
February 18 – Elle Villanueva, actress and model
March 16 - Kaila Estrada, actress
March 26 – Kathryn Bernardo, actress
April 2 – Kib Montalbo, basketball player
April 12 – Charlie Dizon, actress
April 20 – Miggy Tolentino, actor and That's My Bae contestant
May 10 – Anjo Damiles, actor
May 21 – Jay Arcilla, actor
June 1 – Dawn Macandili, volleyball player
June 2 – Morissette, singer, songwriter, and actress
June 9 – Marvelous Alejo, actress and singer
June 30 – JM Yosures, Tawag ng Tanghalan season 4 champion
July 20 – Sue Ramirez, actress
July 22 – Jane Oineza, actress
July 23 – Viy Cortez, vlogger
July 28 – Yasser Marta, actor
August 9 – Sanya Lopez, actress
August 13 – Thea Tolentino, actress
August 15:
Analyn Barro, actress
Flow G, rapper
August 17 – Ella Cruz, actress
September 4 – Sisi Rondina, volleyball player
September 8 – Krystal Reyes, actress and vlogger
September 13 – CJ Navato, actor
September 27 - Remedy Rule, swimmer
October 10 – Rufino Herrera, triathlete
October 17 – Karen Reyes, actress
October 26 – Ronnie Alonte, actor and singer
November 4 – Michael Christian Martinez, figure skater
November 7 – Luke Gebbie, swimmer
November 11 – Mimiyuuuh, vlogger
November 14 – Rabiya Mateo, actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder
December 13 – Jenelyn Olsim, mixed martial artist
December 17 – Thirdy Ravena, basketball player
December 22:
Makisig Morales, actor and singer
Joao Constancia, actor and member of BoybandPH
Christian Mae Sajulan, teacher and social media influencer
December 25 – Ivana Alawi, actress and vlogger
Deaths
January 7 – Bienvenido Santos, Filipino-American fiction, poetry and nonfiction writer. (b. 1911)
March 17 – Rey Cuenco, basketball player (b. 1960)
May 24 – Joseph Cipcon, Band Vocalist (Pryzm) (b. 1961)
June 2 – Ishmael Bernal, Filipino film, stage and television director, actor and screenwriter (b. 1938)
June 13 – Rolando Abadilla, intelligence officer during the Marcos regime (b. 1942)
August 11 – Ambrosio Padilla, basketball player and senator (b. 1910)
September 18 – Tomás Cloma, lawyer and businessman (b. 1904)
October 17 – Richie Fernando, S.J., Filipino Jesuit cleric and missionary (b. 1970)
October 28 – Irene R. Cortes, Filipino judge (b. 1921)
November 2 – Arnie Tuadles, basketball player (b. 1956)
November 27 – Balot, comedian, film, television and stage actor (b. 1926)
December 28 – Tenten Muñoz, singer and actress (b. 1977)
References
1996 in Southeast Asia
Philippines
1990s in the Philippines
Years of the 20th century in the Philippines