1983 in the Philippines

1983 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in that year.

Incumbents

President: Ferdinand Marcos Prime Minister: Cesar Virata

House Speaker: Nicanor YñiguezChief Justice:
* Querube C. Makalintal
* Enrique Fernando ''''

Events

February

February 6 – Fifteen workers die in a mine explosion in Danao, Cebu caused by a cigarette.

July

July 12–15 – Typhoon Bebeng, The monsoon spawns a tropical depression on July 12, east of the Philippines. It heads westward, strengthening to a tropical storm that night and a typhoon on the 13th. Vera makes landfall on the 14th as an 85 mph typhoon in the Philippines, weakens over the islands, especially Luzon, and strengthens over the South China Sea to a 100 mph typhoon. Damages amounting to a total of US$9 million in the Philippines. The typhoon leaves 45 people dead.

August

August 17 – An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale strikes Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, leaving at least 21 people dead.
August 21 – Former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and Ronaldo Galman are shot dead at Manila International Airport tarmac after his arrival. The event is cited to be a catalyst to the People Power Revolution.

September

September 29 – Forty-six soldiers and civilians are killed when an army patrol unit is ambushed by New People's Army guerrillas in Godod, Zamboanga del Norte; the death toll is the highest suffered by Government forces in a single attack.

October

October 3 – More than 20,000 Filipino workers at two American military bases in Clark and Subic go on strike, demanding a wage increase.

November

November 21 – The inter-island ferry MV Cassandra sinks during a storm off Cebu, killing at least 167 people.

Holidays

As per Act No. 2711 section 29, issued on March 10, 1917, any legal holiday of fixed date falls on Sunday, the next succeeding day shall be observed as legal holiday. Sundays are also considered legal religious holidays. Bonifacio Day was added through Philippine Legislature Act No. 2946. It was signed by then-Governor General Francis Burton Harrison in 1921. On October 28, 1931, the Act No. 3827 was approved declaring the last Sunday of August as National Heroes Day. As per Republic Act No. 3022, April 9th was proclaimed as Bataan Day. Independence Day was changed from July 4 to June 12 on August 4, 1964.

Entertainment and culture

February 13 - The launching of Ang Iglesia ni Cristo the first religious program on MBS Channel 4.

Date unknown

The religious program Ang Dating Daan starts its television broadcast on IBC 13.

Births

January 3:
* Precious Lara Quigaman, actress, Miss International 2005 winner
* Jopay Paguia, dancer and actress
January 13 – Jojo Duncil, basketball player
January 20 – Angelica Jones, actress, singer, and politician
February 11 – Jeff Chan, basketball player
March 2 – Jerald Napoles, actor and comedian
March 11 – Bianca Gonzalez, host
March 12 – Sid Lucero, actor
March 21 – Laura James, actress and commercial model
April 22 – Boyet Bautista, basketball player
May 27 – Ronjay Buenafe, basketball player
June 14 – Yousif Aljamal, basketball player
June 24 – John Lloyd Cruz, actor
June 28 – Maui Taylor, actress, model, singer
July 3 – Sunshine Dizon, actress
July 10 – Doug Kramer, basketball player
July 12 – Marco Alcaraz, actor, commercial model, and basketball player
July 23 – Ping Medina, actor
July 27 – AJ Dee, Filipino actor
July 29 – Chad Alonzo, basketball player
August 10 – Mark Bautista, actor and singer
September 6 – Aira Bermudez, dancer and actress
September 9 – Kristine Hermosa, actress
September 17 – Ice Seguerra, singer
November 18 – JC Intal, basketball player
November 22 – Eduard Folayang, mixed martial artist and former MMA World Champion

Deaths

June 2 – Julio Rosales, Cardinal
August 21 – Ninoy Aquino, politician and senator
November 30 – Juan Liwag, lawyer and politician
December 5 – Felixberto Olalia, labor leader; founding chairperson of ''Kilusang Mayo Uno''