Newsmakers of 2009
2009 will probably be remembered more for the calamities than the triumphs of people that put the Filipinos on the world stage.
Let me recall what stood out in 2009:
Starting with the feel good news towards the end of the year. There was the continued rise to stratosphere of fame and fortune of Manny Pacquiao after his phenomenal victory against Miguel Cotto – the fight which I didn’t get to see because no one or no party has invited me to watch it in their house on Pay-per-view. The opportunities for him seem endless; in politics, showbiz, singing, and yes, starlets… he can afford to have an affair to many of them… name it.
The surprise win of Efren Panaflorida as 2009 CNN Hero of the Year besting other deserving international candidates. Efren Penaflorida and his group, the Dynamic Teen Company, provide an alternative to gang membership through his ‘Kariton Klasroom’ that brings around books and other teaching materials to impoverished kids in Cavite. Efren’s quotable quote “I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”
The Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili video scandal dominated most of the news during the first half of 2009. At that time, it was probably the only Philippine news I read from top to bottom, while the Hayden and Maricar Reyes video is the only Tagalog (reality) movie I saw from beginning to ending. The Kho-Halili court room drama rivals the best top rating reality show on TV in America. So where is Hayden now? Nakulong na ba to? What about Katrina? I do applaud how Katrina handled the repercussions of her relationship missteps-gone-wild. She stood up and fought Hayden and his demons in the open and made her story a lesson for other unsuspecting women, turning tragedy into triumph. Atta girl!
The H1N1 outbreak, more popularly known as swine flu, became a convenient excuse to call in sick in the office. Even here in the US, I’ve used it once when I had a cold and i thought i had the flu. My manager said, ‘Ah ok. Just make sure the doctor clears you before you report back to the office. Get well. Click!’
The devastation brought by Typhoon Ondoy and the succeeding typhoons were probably the most heart wrenching news story back home. Each day we tune in to news, it becomes more painful as you see pictures and video snippets of floodings, rescue efforts and increasing death tolls. On the lighter side of the news was the efforts of Filipinos abroad who found their inner heroes and mobilized relief operations and gathered donations to be sent to the Philippines. It was like kababayan people power all over the world.
The Ampatuan Massacre was horrific beyond belief as we discovered the details how the crime was carried out. Kahit impiyerno baka hindi tanggapin ang mga taong gumawa ng crime na to.
Social Networking Sites. Facebook, Twitter and online voting. Do we need to mention how tech-savvy Filipinos are? Well, with a little more push, we can probably win every Miss Photogenic award in International beauty contests, force Desperate Housewives producers to edit a TV show for any racially offensive lines in the script. What about Facebook? Some people I tried to avoid in Friendster have now befriended me in Facebook. (hey i’m just kidding friends! :-))
Filipinos mourned the death of the late former President Cory Aquino at the age of 76 on August 1, 2009. She is remembered for the peaceful 1986 revolution. We all wept with Kris Aquino as she delivered her heartfelt eulogy recounting the ordeal that each member of the Aquino family went thru during the beloved president’s last hours of life. The eulogy also served as the first shout out about Noynoy’s candidacy when she said to Noynoy ‘Ikaw at ako ang nasa posisyon para ipagpatuloy ang lahat ng kanilang nasimulan.’
A few days before we closeout on 2009, Catalyn B ferry sank at Manila Bay and then within a few days, a roll-on roll-off ferry sank off Batangas province.
Impending Mayon volcanic eruption threatened the lives of more than 50,000 people as the majestic volcano started emitting sulfur gas and spewing lava. As of this writing, it seems that God answered our prayers as the rumblings have settled down a little bit and seems to have aborted another calamity in volcanic proportion. If anything, the volcano became a spectacular backdrop for the holidays with the incandescent materials cascading down the slopes of the volcano. Hopefully the Mayon stays as an impending activity and eventually settles down lest eruption becomes one of the major newsmakers of 2010.
There, you have some of the most compelling news of 2009. It is both emotionally and financially difficult for most us with all the disasters and the economic recession. Which one is most unforgettable for you?
As we usher in the new year, let’s all hope we keep our jobs, good health, patience and optimism about the future.
Stay away from rumbling volcanoes and accident prone ferries for now.
Happy New Year to all! I wish you all a safer 2010!
Bong
bong@butikilyo.com
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