James Carl Andrino, a 25-year-old mechanical engineer, died in the Binaliw landfill collapse in Cebu City on January 8, 2026, where 36 people were killed and 18 injured. He had worked there for just over a month before the tragedy. His family expressed gratitude to rescuers but continues to grieve his loss.
James Carl Andrino was one of 36 victims in the sudden collapse of the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City on January 8, 2026. Before the incident, he had returned from overseas work in late November 2025 and began employment at the landfill to stay productive while awaiting documents for his return to the United Kingdom, where his brother Lupe John Andrino resides.
Lupe described James as his best friend since childhood. They shared interests in music and engineering; James followed his brother's path in studying mechanical engineering technology and graduated with honors, earning more awards than Lupe. "He even had more awards than I did. That’s why I am really proud of my brother," Lupe said.
After the collapse, James was still alive when his father, Raymond Andrino, arrived around 8:30 pm. "I said, ‘James, James.’ He even responded," and he asked to reassure his mother and fiancée Ivy not to worry. "I can make it, papa," were his last words. He succumbed hours later, with his body recovered around 4 pm the next day as the second victim.
Search and rescue operations concluded on January 18 after the last missing worker was found. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered an immediate halt to landfill operations, while Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival stated investigations are probing the cause, including potential safety lapses.
James was buried on January 19 at Calamba Cemetery in Cebu City. "We are truly grateful to all the rescuers. Because of them, we got to see my brother again," Lupe said, though "It still hurts because he wasn’t saved alive."
James dreamed of becoming a licensed engineer and reuniting with his brother abroad, but his life ended prematurely in this tragedy.
