Top 10 Philippines’ Most Memorable and Shocking Events of 2009

The year 2010 is fast approaching and we have to say goodbye to 2009. Are you ready with your New Year’s resolutions? Before that, do you recall what you’ve done in the past 12 months?

As I reminisce what had happened this year, I’ve come up with my top ten lists of the most talked about incidents here in the Philippines.

10. Celebrity Video Scandals

We all know that the site YouTube has played a big part in the lives of some Filipinos. From the discovery of international talents such as Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda, to Moymoy Palaboy in the local scene, YouTube really helped Filipinos find their good opportunities. But some personalities took part of the scene and created scandalous videos that aroused conflicts among women, doctors’ association and showbiz.

9. Facebook

The most popular social networking site today here in the Philippines. Yes, Friendster has already been dethroned from being the most visited site here. Due to the unpatched bugs of the latter website, Friendster users abruptly shift to Facebook for it offers the *Web 2.0 and rich internet applications  making it more interesting and worth visiting.

8. GMA’s Dinner in New York

The controversial $20,000 dinner at Le Cirque in New York stayed in the news headlines for a couple of months and produced several movements and television ads against the President.

7. Efren Peñaflorida

The first Filipino to win the CNN Hero of the Year 2009 which is actually the first award giving body founded by CNN. Efren, together with his team, the Dynamic Teen Company wanders all over the province of Cavite to educate street children. This man caught the attention of everyone, most especially the youth. He is without a doubt an inspiration to all of us.

6. Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto

Who doesn’t know Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao? I believe none. Being featured in the TIME Magazine, won 7 boxing titles, defeated boxing champs with technical knock-outs, no wonder Manny Pacquiao created a history.

5. Maguindanao Massacre

The political battle between the Ampatuans and Mangundadatu was said to be the cause of the tragedy. As of now the number of victims reached 57 and that includes some media men.

4. A (H1N1) Outbreak

The Influenza A (H1N1) virus often called swine flu by the public media. Certain number of people died from different parts of the world especially Mexico.

3. Death of Michael Jackson

Almost the whole world mourned for the death of the King of Pop Michael Jackson. There are lots of issues regarding the truth about his death but that remained in doubt. Instead, the movie “This Is It” earned million dollars and was given good credits from the movie industry.

2. Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng

No one has ever predicted that typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng will wreck the National Capital Region and the Northern Luzon. Filipinos somehow became united to help each other cope up from the adversity.

1. Death of Cory Aquino

Everyone wept for the death of Tita Cory. Every Filipino participated in honoring the first female president of the Philippines through tying yellow ribbon outside their houses, offering prayers, watching the necrological mass and the burial ceremony or even singing the “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree”. Cory Aquino’s death touched the lives of the Filipinos. For all the things she have done for the country, she won’t be easily forget by her fellowmen.

“Make the most of yourself for that is all there is of you.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

*Web 2.0 – commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and collaboration on the World Wide Web.