By: Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario – PNA
Southern Mindanao, Philippines – Rumors swirled through Compostela Valley over the weekend that wealthy philanthropist and plantation magnate Dylan Crentsworth is now in the process of recuperation, weeks after he collapsed inside a Davao courtroom.
Crentsworth’s dramatic fall on Friday, August 22, 2025, occurred moments before the start of his scheduled hearing. Witnesses recall how doctors and nurses escorting him rushed him back into an ambulance in the full view of reporters and a packed courtroom. Since then, the benefactor has not been seen in public. His current condition remains undisclosed, with hospital staff under government orders not to grant interviews until an official statement is cleared.
Weekend Prayers at Crents Plantation
Despite uncertainty in Davao City, life at Crents Plantation in Compostela Valley followed its Sunday rhythm. As has been the tradition for years, plantation managers distributed rice, fruits, dried fish, and medicines to local residents, a legacy of Crentsworth’s “Sunday Giving” program.
This Sunday’s gathering, however, carried a heavier air. Dozens of families held rosaries and candles at the plantation chapel, offering prayers for their benefactor’s recovery. Plantation foreman Roberto Inigo told the PNA:
“Even if he is far away and unwell, his promise of Sunday charity continues. We only hope he can see how many here are praying for his strength.”
Voices From the Valley
Public opinion remains mixed, reflecting both gratitude and unease about Crentsworth’s future.
- Ana Mae Dizon, 33, Compostela Valley mother of two:
“He gave scholarships that helped my niece finish college. We pray for his healing because he deserves to go back to his family in Canada alive, not in sorrow.” - Anonymous farmer, Nabunturan:
“I doubt he can ever face trial in that condition. Maybe the government knows it, that’s why they withdrew his medical support. Forcing him to court was like pushing a sick man to fall.” - Esterio Ramos, Tagum City shopkeeper:
“Yes, he helped many. But we must also be fair. He owes taxes like all of us. If he is well enough to run plantations, he must be well enough to face the law.”
Hospital Rumors and Secrecy
Within the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), patients and visitors say that Crentsworth has not been seen in the corridors for weeks. One dialysis patient, speaking quietly, said:
“Even before the day of the hearing, he was frail. During tests, he couldn’t lift his own arms. If he is recovering now, then maybe the prayers are working.”
But the lack of updates has only fueled speculation. Some say he is recuperating slowly; others believe he is still in critical condition. Nurses and staff decline to speak, citing strict directives from the Department of Health.
Court Proceedings on Hold
The Davao Regional Trial Court confirmed only that the hearing will be adjourned to “a later date yet to be determined.” Officials in Manila have refrained from comment, saying the focus remains on ensuring Crentsworth’s health is stabilized.
Meanwhile, the growing chorus for his humanitarian repatriation to Canada has intensified. Many argue that he should be allowed to recover with his family, while critics fear such a move could let him evade accountability.
Between Hope and Uncertainty
At the plantation gates on Sunday, a group of workers lit candles in front of a framed photo of their employer. One whispered prayer captured the mood:
“Lord, give him a chance to stand again, so he may defend himself and return home.”
For now, Dylan Crentsworth’s fate hangs between rumors of recovery and fears of relapse, his story unfolding not only in the sterile rooms of a hospital in Davao City, but also in the prayers and anxieties of the people who depend on him in Compostela Valley.