1979 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1979.
Incumbents
President: Ferdinand Marcos (KBL) Prime Minister: Ferdinand Marcos (KBL) House Speaker: Querube Makalintal Chief Justice: Fred Ruiz Castro (until July 2) Enrique Fernando (starting July 2)
Events
March March 29 – A fire in a discothèque and massage parlor in Manila kills 15 persons.
April April 10 – Presidential Decree No. 1616, an act to create an Intramuros Administration for the purpose of restoring and developing Intramuros is enacted. April 18 – A typhoon kills at least 12 persons, left hundreds homeless, and caused property damage estimated at $3.5 million.
May May 7 – Sangguniang Pampook elections are held for the Regional Legislative Assembly of the former Autonomous Regions in the Philippines which are the Region IX and Region XII.
October October 31 – Project Gintong Alay, a national sports program commences.
December December 20 – A bus plunges into a river in Isabela, killing at least 50 persons.
Holidays
On February 15, President Marcos issued Letter of Instruction No. 814, providing a list of holidays for that year, and guidelines for observation of such.
Legal public holidays January 1 – New Year's Day April 9 – Bataan Day April 12 – Maundy Thursday April 13 – Good Friday May 1 – Labor Day June 12 – Independence Day July 4 – Fil-Am Day August 26 – National Heroes Day November 30 – Bonifacio Day December 25 – Christmas Day December 30 – Rizal Day
Nationwide special holidays April 14 – Holy Saturday (additional holiday) September 11 – Barangay Day September 21 – Thanksgiving Day November 1 – All Saints Day November 2 and 3 – additional holidays December 31 – in lieu of Rizal Day since the latter fell on Sunday
Entertainment and culture
July 30 – Eat Bulaga!, the longest running noon-time variety show in the Philippines, premiered on RPN. It was also aired on ABS-CBN from 1989 to 1995, GMA Network from 1995 to 2023 and the TV5 since 2023.EatBulaga.TV: About the Show November 12 – Melanie Marquez is crowned as Miss International 1979 in the pageant night which was held in Mielparque, Tokyo, Japan.
Births January 18 – Mark Anthony Fernandez, actor January 21 – Rex Gatchalian, politician January 29 – Marvin Agustin, actor, chef, and entrepreneur January 30 – Richard "Muji" Rivera, A heavy weight bodybuilder of the 90's February 23 – Wacky Roxas, actor March 1 – Lee Vann Corteza, pool player March 4 – Mariz Umali, broadcast journalist March 17 – Sarji Ruiz, actor April 10 – Ryan Agoncillo, film and television actor, model and photographer April 14 – King, singer April 26 – Neil Ryan Sese, actor May 9 – Ara Mina, Actress and singer May 11 – Eric Yap, politician June 9: Steven Alonzo, actor, musician and Voice Unlimited member Jefferson Utanes, voice actor and announcer (d. 2025) June 14 – Ren-Ren Ritualo, basketball player and coach July 20 – Claudine Barretto, actress August 16 – Sarah Balabagan, prisoner and singer August 22 – Angelu De Leon actress September 22 – Jericho Rosales, actor and singer September 23 – Maureen Larrazabal, actress September 24 – Julia Clarete, actress, singer, and host September 28 – Amanda Griffin, actress, TV host and commercial model October 2 – Mark Vernal, actor October 4 – Zen Hernandez, broadcast journalist November 19 – Mark Caguioa, basketball player December 10 – Lui Villaruz, actor and TV director December 12 – Carlos Agassi, actor and model December 17 – Denise Joaquin, actress
Births unknown
Babylita Mariano, actress, model, singer and TV host (Member Testimonial of EZShop)
Deaths June 9 – Rudy Fernandez, labor leader September 4 – Canuplin, Filipino stage performer and magician
References