Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc

Background and careers

Alexis Tioseco was born in the Philippines in 1981 but moved with his family to Canada in 1983, spending his formative years there. He returned to the Philippines in 1996 to complete his college studies and later work in the family business. His passion for Philippine cinema was ignited after watching Lav Diaz's film 'Batang West Side,' leading him to become a dedicated critic and promoter. Tioseco founded and edited the influential Southeast Asian film journal Criticine, which was hailed as arguably the most intelligent blog on the region's cinema. He contributed to numerous publications including The Philippine Star, Rogue, and Senses of Cinema, and served as a film professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific. Nika Bohinc was a film critic from Slovenia who met Tioseco at the 2007 Rotterdam International Film Festival, where they began a romantic relationship. Bohinc later moved to the Philippines to live with Tioseco, immersing herself in the local film scene alongside her partner. Both were active as jurors at international film festivals and were respected voices advocating for independent and regional cinema.

The murders

On the night of September 1, 2009, three armed men entered the couple's home in Quezon City in what appeared to be a burglary. Both Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc were shot and killed during the incident. The assailants fled the scene, and police investigations quickly focused on the possible involvement of the couple's recently hired stay-in housemaid, Criselda Dayag, who had also disappeared. Initial reports indicated the motive was robbery, though the brutal nature of the killings sent shockwaves through the Philippine and international cultural communities. The case drew immediate attention due to the victims' profiles as prominent young critics and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the home invasion.

Investigation and arrests

Police investigations centred on the housemaid, Criselda Dayag, who was suspected of collaborating with the robbers by providing access to the home. For nearly seven years, the case saw little progress in apprehending the primary suspects. A breakthrough came on February 26, 2016, when a woman accused in the murders was arrested in Angeles City, though reports later confirmed this was Dayag. In a separate development, a 47-year-old male suspect named Danilo Jovoc, identified as an employee of the couple, was also arrested in connection with the crime. However, other suspects, including a man named Danny Lapitaje, remained at large. The long gap between the crime and arrests highlighted the challenges in solving the case, with authorities piecing together evidence from the crime scene and witness accounts.

Trial and conviction

Almost nine years after the murders, in May 2018, a Regional Trial Court in Quezon City convicted Criselda Dayag of the complex crime of robbery with homicide. The court found that Dayag had conspired with the armed men to rob the couple, leading to their deaths. She was sentenced to reclusion perpetua, which carries a prison term of up to 40 years. The conviction was a significant milestone, providing a measure of justice for the victims' families and friends. However, the court's ruling did not resolve the entire case, as the other identified suspects, including the alleged gunmen, were not tried in absentia and remained fugitives. The trial relied on circumstantial evidence and testimony linking Dayag to the planning and execution of the robbery.

Unsolved aspects and ongoing search

Despite Dayag's conviction, the murders of Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc are still considered partially unsolved by many observers. Key suspects, namely Danny Lapitaje and Danilo Jovoc, have not been brought to trial, with Jovoc's arrest status and subsequent legal proceedings unclear from public records. The motive beyond robbery was never fully established, and questions about whether the couple was specifically targeted have lingered. The families and the film community continue to seek full accountability, marking annual remembrances of the tragedy while hoping for the apprehension of the remaining at-large suspects.

Impact and remembrance

The killings of Tioseco and Bohinc reverberated deeply within global film circles, highlighting the vulnerabilities of critics and cultural workers. Tioseco was posthumously celebrated for his seminal 2008 article in Rogue magazine, styled as a love letter to Bohinc, which was later called a definitive manifesto on Philippine film. His advocacy efforts, through Criticine and his teaching, left a lasting imprint on the promotion of Southeast Asian cinema. Annual commemorations, both in the Philippines and internationally, honour their legacy and call for justice. In Canada, the case is remembered as a tragic loss of a dual citizen who bridged cultural gaps and championed Philippine arts abroad. Their story underscores the intersection of love, art, and violence, leaving an indelible mark on those who follow in their critical footsteps.

Questions about Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc

Who were Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc?

Alexis Tioseco was a Filipino Canadian film critic and a film professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific. He was recognized as an advocate of Southeast Asian cinema and was the editor of the Southeast Asian film journal Criticine. Nika Bohinc was a Slovenian film critic. They were romantic partners who lived together in Quezon City, Philippines, and were both murdered on 1 September 2009.

Where and when were Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc murdered?

Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc were murdered on 1 September 2009 in Quezon City, Philippines. They were killed during a robbery at their home. The crime occurred on the night of September 1st. Tioseco was 28 years old at the time of his death.

What was Alexis Tioseco's professional background and contributions?

Alexis Tioseco was a Filipino Canadian film critic and a film professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific. He was a passionate advocate for Philippine and Southeast Asian cinema. He founded the influential website Criticine, hailed as a key blog on Southeast Asian cinema. Tioseco also contributed to publications like The Philippine Star, Rogue, and Screen International.

How did Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc meet?

Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc met at the 2007 Rotterdam Film Festival. Bohinc was a Slovenian film critic. Their meeting led to a romantic partnership. Bohinc later moved to the Philippines to be with Tioseco.

What was the outcome of the legal case regarding their murders?

In May 2018, Criselda Dayag, the couple's former housemaid, was convicted of robbery with homicide. She was sentenced to forty years imprisonment, also referred to as reclusion perpetua. Her arrest had occurred earlier on 26 February 2016. Other suspects in the crime reportedly remained at large.

What was notable about Alexis Tioseco's 2008 article in Rogue magazine?

Alexis Tioseco's 2008 article in Rogue magazine was styled as a love letter to his partner Nika Bohinc. American film writer Gabe Klinger later called it the definitive manifesto on Philippine film. He predicted it would become a canonical piece of critical writing. The article expressed his deep passion for both film and his partner.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.