Francisco Rabat Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honorable
Francisco Garcia Rabat
Order:4th
Office:Governor of Davao Oriental
Term Start:1978
Term End:1986
Predecessor:Teodoro Palma Gil
Successor:Josefina Sibala
Office1:Mayor of Mati
Term Start1:June 30, 2001
Term End1:June 30, 2007
Successor1:Michelle Nakpil Rabat
Birth Name:Francisco Garcia Rabat
Birth Date:19 June 1934
Death Place:Davao City, Philippines
Nationality:Filipino
Spouse:Merced Edith Nakpil
Children:5
Module:
Embed:yes
Number:4
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
High School:Ateneo de Davao (Davao City)
College:Ateneo

Francisco "Paking" Garcia Rabat (June 19, 1934[1] – July 19, 2008[2]) was a Filipino politician and basketball player.[3]

Basketball career

Rabat was a member of the Philippine national basketball team and was part of the squad that won the bronze medal at the 1954 FIBA World Championship, the best finish ever by the country in the World Championships, losing only to the United States and Brazil.[4] He was given the monicker, "Rajah of Rebound".[2] At 18 years old, Rabat was also the youngest player in the squad.[5] In college basketball, he played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and was the MVP in the 1953 NCAA basketball championship.[5]

Political career

Rabat served as Governor of Davao Oriental from 1978 to 1986.[6] As governor, he oversaw the project for the Mati Airport.[7] He also served as the mayor of Mati. With Joel Mayo Almario, whose family is a political rival of the Rabats, Rabat successfully lobbied for the cityhood of Mati. Mati, a former municipality, became a component city on June 19, 2007, after a plebiscite held the day before.[1] He sought re-election in 2007 local elections but withdrew his bid after he was diagnosed with cancer. His daughter Michelle Nakpil Rabat campaigned in his stead and was elected, becoming Mati's second mayor as a component city.[2]

Death

Rabat died on July 19, 2008, while confined at the Davao Doctors Hospital due to cancer.[8]

Personal life

He was married with Edith Nakpil, a former beauty queen who competed in the Miss Philippines pageant. Rabat had four sons and a daughter with Nakpil.[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Duallo . Neela . Vision, action, and inspiration made City of Mati . 1 November 2021 . Philippine Information Agency Archive . Philippine Information Agency . 1 July 2008.
  2. News: Duallo . Neela . Rajah of "rebound" is dead . 1 November 2021 . Philippine Information Agency Archive . Philippine Information Agency . 22 July 2008.
  3. Web site: Michelle Nakpil Rabat . Mati Official Website . Mati City Government . 1 November 2021.
  4. Web site: Francisco Rabat profile, World Championship for Men 1954 . FIBA . 1 November 2021.
  5. News: Alinea . Eddie . The PH bags bronze in FIBA 1954 WC . 31 October 2021 . The Manila Times . 21 August 2019 . en.
  6. Web site: Davao Oriental - History Background . National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office XI . 1 November 2021.
  7. News: Palicte. Che. Mati City airport dev't pushed . 1 November 2021 . Philippine News Agency . 10 October 2019 . en.
  8. News: Duallo . Neela . Rajah of "rebound" is dead . 1 November 2021 . Philippine Information Agency Archive . Philippine Information Agency . 22 July 2008.