1981 in the Philippines

← 1980 1979 1978 1981 in the Philippines → 1982 1983 1984
Decades:	1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
See also:	List of years in the Philippines films

1981 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1981.

Incumbents

• President: Ferdinand Marcos (Liberal)
• Prime Minister: Ferdinand Marcos (Liberal) (until June 30), Cesar Virata (Liberal) (starting June 30)
• House Speaker: Querube Makalintal
• Chief Justice: Enrique Fernando

Events

• January 18 - The Martial Law was lifted by President Marcos.
• February 12 -- Pata Island, Sulu massacre.

• February 17-21 – Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines for his first papal visit.

• April 7 – National plebiscite and local plebiscites was held on April 7, 1981 in the Philippines. 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.

• June 16 – Presidential elections was held. Incumbent Ferdinand E. Marcos of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) defeated former Gen. Alejo Santos of the Nacionalista Party in a landslide victory garnering 88% of the votes. Most opposition parties boycotted the elections as a sign of protest over the 1978 elections for an interim Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) which they condemned as fraudulent.

• November 17 – Manila Film Center was collapsed, killing 169 workers.

• December 6–15 – The 11th Southeast Asian Games were held for the first time in the Philippines at Manila.^[1] The Philippines ranked third with an over-all total of 187 medals.

Television

Births

• January 19 - Paolo Bugia, basketball player
• March 7 – Rica Peralejo, actress
• March 22 – Karylle, actress, hosts
• April 21 – Luis Manzano, actor, hosts
• May 12 – Dennis Trillo, actor
• June 10 – Arwind Santos, basketball player
• June 20 – Maricar Reyes, Filipina actress, endorsement
• November 1 –
  • Mark Borboran, basketball player
  • Coco Martin, actor producer and vtr commercial voice endorsement
• November 3 – Mark Cardona, basketball player
• November 18 – Gian Magdangal, singer and actor

Deaths

• July 6 - Fort Acuña, Filipino professional basketball player and coach (b. 1948)
• December 30 – Alfie Anido, Filipino actor (b. 1959)

References

1. History of the SEA Games