By: Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario – PNA
DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES — Wealthy philanthropist and plantation magnate Dylan Crentsworth is still rumored to be recuperating after collapsing dramatically in a Davao courtroom, though official confirmation remains absent.
Crentsworth fell to the floor on Friday, August 22, 2025, just moments before his highly anticipated hearing was set to begin. Medical personnel who had escorted him to court rushed him back into an ambulance in front of a crowded courtroom, reporters, and members of the public. Since then, his condition has been shrouded in secrecy, with hospital nurses directed not to provide any comment until the government releases an official statement.
Weekend Prayers at Crents Plantation
Over the weekend, scenes of solemn devotion unfolded at Crents Plantation in Compostela Valley. The plantation’s long-running Sunday charity program continued as workers distributed rice, vegetables cultivated on the plantation and essential medicines to surrounding villages, a tradition locals said was a hallmark of Crentsworth’s philanthropy.
This Sunday, however, charity was paired with prayers. Families gathered at the plantation chapel, holding rosaries, candles, and placards that read “Pray for Dylan.”
“He has always given back to us,” said plantation staff member Roberto Inigo. “Now we give back to him, in prayers.”
Voices From the Public: Gratitude and Skepticism
The gathering revealed a mixture of gratitude, worry, and cautious criticism:
- Rowena Gutierrez, 54, Compostela Valley resident:
“I lit a candle for him. His programs helped feed my children when times were tough. If he is really recovering, then we thank God.” - Anonymous farmer, Monkayo:
“He looked frail even before the hearing. To force him into court in that state — it seemed cruel. Maybe this suffering is why people say he is being silenced.” - Eduardo Ramos, Davao City tricycle driver:
“Yes, he is a philanthropist, but the law should also apply to him. If he can recover, then he should face the charges. What worries me is that all the silence from officials makes people speculate more.”
Hospital Silence Fuels Speculation
At the Southern Philippines Medical Center, whispers of Crentsworth’s fragile health persist. Patients said he had not been seen walking the halls for weeks, even before his collapse. One elderly patient told the PNA:
“When they checked his vitals, he needed help just to sit up. If he is improving now, then prayers are carrying him, because medically he seemed very weak.”
But with hospital staff under strict orders not to comment, uncertainty continues. Rumors that Crentsworth is slowly recuperating compete with fears that his condition remains dire.
Court Hearing Postponed Indefinitely
The Davao Regional Trial Court has confirmed only that the hearing has been adjourned, with no new date announced. Legal experts in Manila say the delay is unusual but not unprecedented, given his health crisis.
Meanwhile, debates continue to swirl around whether Crentsworth should be allowed humanitarian repatriation to Canada, where his family is waiting. Some view it as a compassionate step; others fear it could allow him to escape accountability for alleged tax violations.
Between Hope and Doubt
At the plantation chapel on Sunday evening, as the candles burned low, one farmer summarized the mood of many:
“We are told he is still alive. We are told he is fighting. For us, all we can do is pray that he survives long enough to speak for himself.”
For now, Dylan Crentsworth’s story hangs between rumor and reality, recovery whispered by some, silence imposed by others, and a nation watching anxiously for clarity.