LAGIM: A Filipino True Crime

In this, sadly, last episode of Lagim: A Filipino True Crime Podcast (for now), we look at the assassination of veteran broadcaster Percy Mabasa — better known as Percy Lapid. His killing in 2022 sent shockwaves through Philippine media, exposed a tangled network of alleged corruption, and raised urgent questions about the safety of journalists who dare to speak truth to power. In this episode, I...

In this episode of Lagim: A Filipino True Crime Podcast, we examine the harrowing case of Ana Abulaban, a Filipina mother whose life was cut short in a brutal double murder in San Diego. Her husband, Ali Abulaban—known online as TikTok personality “JinnKid”—was charged with her killing, along with the murder of a male friend she was with. We explore Ana’s background, her efforts to escape an incre...

In this special episode of LAGIM: A Filipino True Crime Podcast, I delve into a case that, at first glance, seems to have no ties to the Philippines. But dig a little deeper, and an unexpected connection begins to surface.  Lisa Marie Young was a vibrant, young Indigenous woman from Nanaimo, British Columbia. She was on the brink of major life changes when she vanished without a trace just before...

In this episode, I revisit two OFW stories that profoundly shaped how I understand many of the themes we often explore on this podcast. The cases of Flor Contemplacion and Sarah Balabagan — two Filipina domestic workers whose names became symbols of injustice, sacrifice, and national reckoning in the 1990s — shook the Philippines and made global headlines. Their stories exposed the harsh realities...

LagimFam, in this instalment of the Martial Law Series, I have a double feature. Firstly, I feature the case of the Manili Massacre, one of the many Marcos-era massacres that was perpetrated against the Bangsamoro People. This part of the podcast is heavy with historical context in order to undertand the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination better and trauma left by not only the Manili Massa...

As the Philippines is getting ready to vote again, another favourite political hot-button topic is being whipped out to get the masses riled up and divided. The death penalty is a favourite talking point by politicians who wish to project a strong-man position towards their voters who are rightfully tired of crimes happening in the country. But as studies have shown time and time again, the death...

For this International Women's Month, I talk about the case of January Marie Lapuz. In September 2012, January, a vibrant and beloved Filipina transwoman, was brutally stabbed in her Vancouver home. Her killer fled the scene, sparking a two-month manhunt and exposing the systemic failures that leave marginalized communities vulnerable in Canada. January’s story is one of resilience, love, and trag...

In this episode, I thoroughly examine the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino domestic worker who was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 for smuggling heroin—a crime she insists she was duped into committing by human traffickers. Sentenced to death, her case has been a long and painful journey marked by her family’s tireless fight, the support of allies and advocates, and political complexities that s...

In this episode, I delve into the heartbreaking stories of three young women whose lives were cut short by senseless violence. First, I explore the case of Mitzi Joy Balunsay, a young and promising college student in the Philippines who was murdered in 2017 under harrowing circumstances that continue to haunt her community. I also examine the 2023 murder of Queen Leanne Daguinsin, another vibrant...

In this episode, I feature three cases that all involve the heinous crime of modern slavery and its iterations. This episode is in commemoration of Anti-Slavery Day , which is celebrated yearly on October 18th. The first case in this episode is from the US and it involves a Filipina who was kept hidden as a slave by her Filipino "employers" for a total of 19 years. The second case is an Australian...

It has been two years since I last covered the case of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his megachurch, The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name. I cover a lot in this episode, so make sure you take breaks in between. In this episode, I make sure to highlight how Quiboloy went from confident preacher to a church leader in hiding. There are going to be details about the case in the US and t...

In this episode, I delve into the life and untimely death of the talented Filipino artist Bree Jonson. Known for her evocative, nature-inspired paintings, Bree was on the cusp of further recognition in the art world when tragedy struck. On 18th September 2021, she was found dead in a hotel room in La Union, a popular beach town in the Philippines. Beside her was Julian Ongpin, the son of a wealthy...

In this episode, I dive into one of the most chilling and brutal crimes in Manila's history. On August 26, 1963, a violent robbery at the RCA Building on Canonigo Street shocked the city, leaving five security guards dead and others narrowly escaping with their lives. Armed with an axe found on the scene and a twisted plan, the gang of perpetrators pulled off a staggering heist, but the real twist...

In this episode, I explore the mysterious and tragic death of Steven Alston Davis, a British national found dead in his Makati apartment in 2002. What seemed like an ordinary crime turned into a shocking revelation of betrayal and deceit. Who was responsible for this heinous act, and what were the true motives behind it? Join me as I piece together the events leading up to that fateful night, unco...

In September 1995, Felipe and Evelyn Pestaño were anticipating the return of their son Philip who was working on board the BRP Bacolod. Their son was a young cargo officer in the Philippine Navy. What was supposed to be a heartwarming welcome turned into a bitter and tragic realisation that Philip had apparently died on board the navy ship under very suspicious circumstances. What followed were ye...

Mabuhay, LagimFam! Welcome to the first ever episode of Lagim: After Hours, a semi-regular bonus content series that I am embedding in the regular feed as well as on my YouTube feed. The episodes are mainly a more freestyle vodcast but I have extracted the audio for the podcat-only audience in case you do not want to watch a video. There are not a lot of SFX, bits and bobs, we just dive right into...

On the 2nd August 2023, Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar and his friend, Sonny Boy, planned a fishing trip to earn a couple of bucks. The boys set out to first clean their boats before sailing out but as they were minding their business, a group of police officers approached their area in Navotas and opened fire. Sonny Boy saw his friend fall into the water, only to never surface alive anymore. Another you...

Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs have long been dubbed as the Philippines' modern-day heroes. They leave family and friends, their comfort zones, their culture and homes behing to try their luck in foreign and far-flung countries, hoping to earn a better living than from the few opportunities offered back home. In July 2022, Jullebee Cabilis Ranara, a native of Las Piñas decided to try her luck a...

On the 4th March, a group of armed men in military gear entered the residence of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo. What looked to be a normal Saturday of meeting his constituents suddenly turned into a nightmare that his family is still living to this very day. In a matter of days, it became apparent that the killing of Degamo was not just an unfortunate incident. Signs and evidence point at a...

Hi LagimFam! I am releasing this episode a week earlier as it is my birthday weekend and I want to fully be in the moment for the next weekend and the next couple of weeks as I go travelling again. So today, I am presenting the story of Blessie Gotingco, a Filipino expat in New Zealand who in 2014 met a cruel fate at the hands of someone who was not completely unknown to the authorities. This was...

Two years after her death, justice for Filipino artist Bree Jonson remains elusive. This is frustrating, heartbreaking and a stark reminder that the wheels of the justice system in our country are so slow and so hindered by power, influence and wealth that it might as well be stationary at this point. I decided to re-release this to help the case in some small way, to have people care more or care...

Hi LagimFam! This is the last instalment of the Martial Law Series for this season. In this episode, I look into the incredible life of Maria Lorena Barros, a remarkable Filipina activist and the founder of MAKIBAKA. From her early years to her pivotal role in the face of Martial Law, Lorena's story is a testament to the power of conviction and resilience. Join me as I honour her legacy and explor...

Hi LagimFam! I am finally back and with me is this season's first instalment of The Martial Law Series. In this episode, I delve into a somber chapter of Philippine history as we explore the Escalante Massacre of 1985. Join me as I give a brief history of sugar and as I uncover the events leading up to that fateful day in the town of Escalante, Negros Occidental, and the tragic consequences that u...

In this Pride Month episode, I cover two cases involving a trans woman and a trans man, respectively. I talk about Jessa Remiendo from Pangasinan and Ebeng Mayor from Quezon City. I want to issue one of many trigger warnings at this point as some of the details in these cases are truly upsetting. *** For the past two years or so, I have refused to cover cases of our fellow Filipinos within the LGB...

Mabuhay, LagimFam. This week, come dive with me into an international case that has echoed globally - the Mitsero Killings, involving Cyprus' first recognized serial killer. In this episode, I narrate the chilling events in the serene village of Mitsero in Cyprus. I cover the 2019 discovery of the bodies of several women and children, all foreign workers and their dependents, concealed in suitcase...