In a few days, we will be embracing another year. Another year of challenges, another year of moving forward. 2011 has been a year of triumphs, tragedies, and revelations. But before we go on to the next level, take a look back at the things that rocked the country and created buzz from anywhere and anyhow.
Angelo Reyes' suicide
Politics
February 8
The former Defense secretary made a huge buzz on February 8, 2011, when he committed suicide, a week after being accused of corruption when he was still AFP chief-of-staff.
The 65-year old was also a Secretary of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, and Interior and Local Government during Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's regime. He was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from 2000-2001, during Joseph Estrada's term.
Former Lt. Col. George Rabusa, who was the budget officer during Reyes' term as AFP chief-of-staff, accused the latter of siphoning off enormous amounts of money from state coffers. Rabusa accused Reyes of receiving P50 million in "send-off" money when he retired from the Armed Forces, as part of a decades-old military tradition.
Reyes denied of the allegations and sought to cross-examine Rabusa, but was refused the opportunity.
On the morning of February 8, Reyes, together with two of his sons and a bodyguard, visited his mother's grave at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. He asked his children and bodyguard to go ahead and wait for him in the car, then shot himself in the left side of the chest near the heart. He was rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, but was dead on arrival and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
In spite of the scandal Reyes has been involved with, he was given full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which draw mixed reactions from Pinoys who questioned whether Reyes was a real sinner or saint.
Andi Eigenmann's pregnancy
Showbiz
June 23
A member of one of the most powerful and influential showbiz clan in Philippine entertainment industry, Star Magic artist Andi Eigenmann became a talk of the town when a blind item appeared about a pregnant young woman pertained to her.
A few days later, her mom, veteran actress Jaclyn Jose confirmed that her daughter is indeed pregnant, ending the rumors that circulated various sites. The names of Jake Ejercito, former president Joseph Estrada's son, and Albie Casiño, also a Star Magic talent and Andi's ex-boyfriend came out as the suspected father of Andi's child.
Roughly three months later, Andi finally revealed the father of her baby as Albie, thru her
blog. Albie however consistently denied that he was the father of Andi's baby.
Many supported Andi of her courage to stand out proud of having a baby. Comments applauded her that in spite of her flourishing career prior to her pregnancy, she managed not to hide her pregnancy and revealed she will raise the baby, even without a father.
She gave birth on November 23.
Steve Jobs' death
Technology
October 5
The pioneer of personal computer revolution and co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs' death made worldwide buzz. In October 5, at the age of 56, he died in his home in Palo Alto, California, due to respiratory arrest. He had a cancerous tumor in the pancreas.
Jobs pioneered the development of the iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and iPad and the company's Apple Retail Stores - the gadgets Pinoys are truly amazed of.
Netizens tweeted and posted about Jobs' death, admiring the genius that gave us a real trend in computer revolution. He became one of the
fastest-rising search category in Google, proof that Filipinos were eager to know more about his life and career.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's sickness and arrest
Politics
November 18
The former president and current Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was also a big topic in 2011. Serving the country for 9 years, Arroyo faced multiple charges filed against her, including criminal charges for electoral sabotage of the 2007 national elections. On November 18, she was arrested thru a warrant arrest order issued by the Pasay Regional Trial Court.
Arroyo, before the arrest, was hospitalized for her sickness. Pictures of her in neck brace, which was used as attachment to a petition filed by her camp to Supreme Court to leave the country, scattered all over, and some, made fun out of it, and defaced it. Since the charges for electoral sabotage has been faced, she was put into hospital arrest and was barred to leave the country to conduct medical operations abroad.
The current administration strongly pushed for the Arroyos' trial. President Noynoy Aquino was eager to put "the little girl" into her proper "place", standing by his "tuwid na daan" principle. He to mold a new government, he must clean out the ghosts of the past first.
Japan earthquake and tsunami
Natural disaster
March 11
At 2:26 PM on March 11, 2011, a magnitude-9.0 earthquake rocked off the coast of Japan. The earthquake triggered powerful tsunami waves that reached heights of up to 133 ft in Miyako in Tōhoku's Iwate Prefecture, and which, in the Sendai area, travelled up to 10 km inland. The tsunami caused a number of
nuclear accidents, resulting to an estimate financial/economic loss of US$235 billion, making it the most expensive natural disaster in world history.
The earthquake and tsunami brought 15,842 deaths and caused 5,890 people injured.
The world sympathized the tragic event that hit Japan. Amidst the disaster, Japanese people managed to continue with their lives, showing great resiliency and desire to move forward despite the loss of people and properties. Netizens searched for scoops of the tragedy, and stories of survival and heroism emerged. A dog who stayed beside another dog pal became popular and one of the most-shared stories in Facebook for 2011, melting the hearts of many.
International relief efforts and support poured in from around the world. Nations prayed for this disaster that hit Japan.
Shamcey Supsup's victory
Showbiz
September 12
The General Santos City native and University of the Philippines' alumna Shamcey Supsup brought home glory by winning 3rd-runner up in Miss Universe 2011 held in Brazil. She bested 85 other women from different countries to place 4th overall.
Supsup became an instant talk-of-the-town. She became popular prior to the awarding of winners, since beauty pageant fans all over the country witnessed and watched the event live. Searches of her in sites and blogs were massive, earning her
a spot in Google's top 10 fastest-rising people searches.
Shamcey also proved that she is not only a package of beauty but brains as well. She graduated magna cum laude and topped the 2010 Architecture Licensure Exam.
She is currently under the management of Kapamilya network ABS-CBN.
Renato Corona's impeachment
Politics
December 12
Renato Corona, the incumbent Supreme Court Chief Justice, became controversial since last year when former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him two days after the May 2010 elections and a month before the expiration of the Arroyo's term.
Corona is considered as a "midnight appointee" by the former president and hospital-detained Arroyo. A midnight appointee is an appointment to political office made during the last hours of the term of office of the person in whom the right of making such appointment is vested (MW).
Although some considered the action as legal through Constitution rulings (Sec 4 (1)) where "any vacancy shall be filled within 90 days from the occurrence thereof", Opposition rulers strongly condemned the appointment. Many believed that it will be Arroyo's tactic to continue holding and preserving her political power even though her term was about to end. Corona was a close ally to Arroyo, having served her since Arroyo was the vice-president.
On December 12, 2011, the House of Representatives
impeached Corona with 188 out of 284 congressmen signing the complaint for alleged graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. Proceedings will be conducted in the Senate early next year.
President Noynoy Aquino has never fully recognized Corona's legitimacy as the Supreme Court leader. Aquino strongly pushed for his impeachment.
Manny Pacquiao's double champ
Sports
May 7, November 12
The Sarangani representative and current WBO welterweight super champion's year is victorious following his stint in winning matches against Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez, with fight with the latter on November 12 (third Pacquiao-Marquez bout), caused controversy and buzz in the boxing world. A sports writer wrote that Marquez "was robbed of a decision by judges who were either blind or corrupt".
The fight resulted to Pacquiao
losing pound-for-pound title from ESPN and Sports Illustrated, giving it to undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight though is still under negotiation, having been involved in certain tirades among the boxers' camps, including Pacquiao filing of lawsuit against Mayweather.
Pacquiao said earlier this month that he wants to fight Mayweather next. Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum said early this week that investment groups have approached him about putting up the mouth-watering match but did not go into details, saying it might jeopardize the project.
However, on December 21, Mayweather was sentenced to six months, with 90 days suspension, and was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine, attending a year-long domestic violence class, performing 100 hours of community service and remaining out of trouble for a year.
The decision once again puts the boxing's potential "Fight of the Century", which has been talked about since Pacquiao defeated Miguel Cotto in late 2009, on hold.
Pacquiao was also promoted as the Lieutenant Colonel in the reserve force of the Philippine Army.
AJ Perez' death
Showbiz
April 17
Probably the most shocking showbiz death of 2011, AJ Perez, or Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez, a Star Magic talent, died in a vehicular accident in Paniqui, Tarlac on midnight of April 17, 2011. He, together with his dad and other companions were on the way home from a show in Dagupan City when the accident happened along MacArthur Highway in Brgy. San Julian. He was only 18.
AJ Perez became an instant query in the world wide web. He was the topic of forums, blogs, and topped most search engines. His early demise was a great loss to his fans and to his mother station ABS-CBN, since he was groomed as one the station's next big star. His last TV appearance was in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya episode "Tsinelas", where he earned a nod in the 2011 Golden Screen TV Awards for an Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Single Drama/Telemovie Program.
Perez' death was associated to Rico Yan's, who also died during Holy Week in 2002. People laid out several similarities between the two: both were ABS-CBN talents, endorsed same clothing brand, both from La Salle, both were asleep when they died, and both were buried in the Manila Memorial Park.
AJ Perez became the
fastest-rising search catagory for people in 2011, according to Google.
Mo Twister and Rhian Ramos scandal
Showbiz
May to December
Break-up, Twitter war, harsh words, abortion issue - these are what Mo Twister and Rhian Ramos made people look for them online. The issues have become so viral that questioned the morality whether Rhian really aborted her alleged child with ex-boyfriend and radio jock Mo Twister, and people ending up searching for their alleged scandal.
The controversy started with tweets from each others' camps. Mo Twister's tweets made hints of the abortion issue he and Rhian was involved with. Earlier in December, a
confession video was uploaded in YouTube showing Mo Twister crying and repenting. The video apparently gave more clues to the abortion issue. Forums and blog posts were of split opinions whether Mo was just lying or telling the truth.
Before the confession video was uploaded, Mo Twister
left the country and his job as a radio and TV host, because of Rhian.
Another
video was uploaded in YouTube, showing the alleged "scandal". The video showed
Rhian and Mo making out. It was eventually deleted since it violated the site's policy. However, copies are still existing in non-YouTube sites.
With Mo leaving, Rhian also
chose to leave, but temporarily from her showbiz career. In her interview, she said things started well but then turned out so bad. She decided to take a temporary leave in showbiz to heal the wounds the controversy has brought her and her family.
Ramgen Revilla murder case
Showbiz/Politics
October 29
Ramgen Revilla, an actor-politician and half-brother of senator Bong Revilla, Jr., was killed in a shooting and stabbing incident inside his house in BF Homes, Parañaque City at midnight. The Revillas are one of the most powerful and influential political clans in the country.
Ramgen, or commonly known as Ram, 22, was with his girlfriend, actress Janelle Manahan during the incident. She was also shot and stabbed by the suspects.
The killing became more controversial when the suspects were arrested: Ram's younger brother RJ Bautista and sister Ramona Bautista. Ramona was in the crime scene when authorities came, but she was unharmed. The two allegedly conspired to kill Ram. It has been reported that there was a sibling rivalry in their family.
After the alleged involvement in the case, Ramona fled to Turkey, where she is a citizen. This sparked more controversy as the flee was tagged scandalous and "sign of guilt" by many. A taped message video by Ramona also questioned credibilities in her statement, for they were conflicting and inconsistent with what previously were reported. Meanwhile, RJ remained under custody.
The case is still ongoing and authorities are still finding out the truth, for there were too many angles and motives, but insufficient evidences.
Sendong
Natural disaster
December 17
On December 17, tropical storm Sendong (internation name: Washi)
hit parts of Mindanao, particularly in Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City, causing flash floods and leaving more than 1,000 people (who were mostly asleep) dead.
The disaster reported casualties were mostly drowned. Hundreds are still missing and unaccounted. City officials declared state of calamity.
Sendong came like a thief in the night, taking lives of many people in Mindanao. It massively contained news sites and blogs. Reyn's Room posted an
updated list of casualties including deaths, injured, missing, and rescured.
Sendong also devastated houses, agriculture, and infrastractures. More than a billion peso was the accounted damage.
The tropical storm came a few days before Christmas, and for some of our brothers and sisters in the flood-stricken areas, the nation deeply sympathized. Help poured out as donations were collected to assist the casualties. Several government and non-government organizations, including foreign governments, helped CDO and Iligan to recover from this very tragic event.
President Noynoy Aquino became controversial when he attended a Presidential Security Group (PSG) Christmas party, receiving flak that he managed to attend one despite the recent disaster brought by Sendong. His sisters, including actress and host Kris Aquino, were one in defending him, but a certain blogger was not convinced with Kris' statement that "life should go on". He
posted that during the deaths of her father and mother, the whole nation stopped and paid respect. He added that now that Noynoy is the president, he can't even spend a few minutes attending to the relief and evacuation operations (Noynoy visited Sendong-hit areas on December 20, the party was held December 18).
The post however got mixed reactions from readers.
