Remembering James Andrino: A young life lost in Cebu landfill tragedy

CEBU CITY, Philippines – James Carl Andrino was only 25. He was among the 36 people killed in the Binaliw landfill collapse in Cebu City on January 8, a disaster that buried workers beneath a towering mound of garbage without warning.

James had been working at the landfill for just over a month.

To his older brother, Lupe John Andrino, James was more than a sibling.

“Simula bata pa kami, siya talaga yung tinuturing kong best friend,” Lupe said. “Lagi kaming magkasama habang lumalaki,” he told Rappler on Monday, January 19.

(Since we were kids, he was really the one I considered my best friend. We were always together while growing up.) 

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Growing up, the two brothers shared the same interests, often shaped by Lupe, whom James quietly looked up to.

“Hindi niya sinasabi sa akin directly,” Lupe said, “pero pinapakita niya sa actions. Sabi ng parents namin, idol niya raw talaga ako.” (He didn’t tell me directly, but he showed it through his actions. Our parents said I was really his idol.)

James learned to play the instruments his brother loved – guitar, piano, and drums. When Lupe pursued engineering, James followed the same path, taking up mechanical engineering technology.

Lupe John Andrino bids his final goodbye to his only brother, James. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler

He said, “Pareho kaming mahilig sa hands-on na trabaho. Kahit mahirap ang buhay, nakita namin yung pagod ng parents namin, kaya sinikap talaga namin sa pag-aaral.” 

(We both liked hands-on work. Even though life was hard, we saw our parents’ struggles, so we really worked hard in our studies.)

James graduated with honors, earning more academic awards than his older brother.

“Mas marami pa nga siyang award kaysa sa akin. Kaya proud na proud talaga ako sa kapatid ko,” Lupe said. (He even had more awards than I did. That’s why I am really proud of my brother.)

James’ father, Raymond Andrino, said his youngest son had many dreams left unfinished.

“Pangarap niyang makabalik doon, makasama ulit yung kapatid niya,” he said. (He dreamed of going back there, to be with his brother again.)

James had previously worked abroad and returned to the Philippines in late November 2025. While waiting for documents and travel arrangements so he could return overseas, this time to the United Kingdom where Lupe was now based, he decided to work.

He recalled that James felt staying idle at home was a waste of time and wanted to be doing something. So, James started working at the landfill about a week after returning. He had been there for roughly a month when the collapse happened.

Lupe was in the United Kingdom when he learned about the disaster.

He said he was at work when he first noticed his phone vibrating, but he couldn’t check it right away. During his break, messages began flooding the family group chat, reporting that James was trapped. 

James’ father, Raymond Andrino, hugs a relative after a Mass at Guadalupe Church. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler

As soon as he read them, Lupe said he instantly found himself unable to focus on work.

He said communication was difficult due to poor signal, and he kept calling his parents for updates. Overwhelmed, he couldn’t stop crying, feeling the situation was unbearably hard.

Lupe flew home immediately, arriving in the Philippines over the weekend and reaching Cebu on Monday.

After the collapse, James was still alive.

Raymond said he arrived at the site at around 8:30 pm and was allowed to briefly enter the area.

“Pinaconfirm nila kung anak ko ba talaga siya,” Raymond said. (They had to confirm if he really was my son.)

He called out to his son. “Sabi ko, ‘James, James.’ Sumagot pa siya.” (I said, ‘James, James.’ He even responded.)

James tried to reassure his family.

“Sinabi niya sa akin na sabihin ko raw kay mama at kay Ivy na huwag mag alala. Okay lang daw siya,” Raymond said. (He told me to tell mom and Ivy not to worry. He said he was okay.)

Ivy was James’ fiancée.

Raymond asked if his son could still hold on. “Sabi niya, ‘Kakayanin ko, Papa,’” he said, recalling what would be his son’s last words. (He said, ‘I can make it, papa.)

James’ body was recovered at around 4pm on January 9, nearly 24 hours after the landfill collapsed. He was the second victim retrieved. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler

Rescuers later asked Raymond to leave the area, assuring him they would focus on saving his son.

About an hour later, Raymond returned and saw the rescuers’ efforts firsthand, noticing how completely focused they were on saving his son.

James clung to life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries. His body was recovered at around 4 pm the following day, nearly 24 hours after the landfill collapsed. He was the second victim retrieved.

Authorities officially concluded search and rescue operations at the Binaliw landfill on January 18, 10 days after the collapse, after the last missing worker was recovered.

All victims have now been accounted for, with the death toll at 36 and 18 others injured.

Following the tragedy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the immediate cessation of landfill operations. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said investigations are underway to determine what caused the collapse, including possible safety lapses and operational failures.

A view of the Binaliw landfill landslide in Cebu City, where a garbage mound estimated to be about 20 storeys high collapsed, showing the overwhelming scale of the tragedy. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler

James was laid to rest on January 19 at the Calamba Cemetery in Cebu City, where family members, relatives, and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes.

For the Andrino family, gratitude exists alongside grief.

“Nagpapasalamat talaga kami sa lahat ng rescuers. Dahil sa kanila, nakita pa namin ulit yung kapatid ko,” Lupe said. (We are truly grateful to all the rescuers. Because of them, we got to see my brother again.)

But the pain remains. “Masakit pa rin kasi hindi siya nakuha ng buhay,” Lupe said. (It still hurts. because he wasn’t saved alive.)

James had dreamed of becoming a licensed engineer, of building a stable future, and of reuniting with his brother abroad.

This story remembers James Carl Andrino not only as a casualty of a disaster, but as a son, a brother, and a young man whose life and dreams ended far too soon.

The casket of James is carried to his final resting place as family and friends struggle to contain their emotions during his burial on January 19 at the Calamba Cemetery. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler

–Rappler.com