It's the time of year when various entities conduct a review of the year's significant events, and make a list of relevant personalities with notable achievements or controversial issues. For this blogger, below are the Philippines' most fitting attributions or citations ("sigh-tations") of 2016.
Event of the Year - Presidential Elections 2016
Almost all Filipinos were affected by this event. Whether they actually voted or not, Pinoys have talked, discussed and reacted about the elections. Various social media and networking services have shown the extent of interaction and reaction about 2016 Elections posts. There were even cases of "unfriending" or "blocking" friends and relatives as a result of opposing views on posts regarding the election candidates.
For this category, runners-up are Extra-Judicial Killings EJK, Marcos Burial and the Drug Investigations on both Houses of Congress.
Although Senator Manny Pacquiao won over Jessie Vargas by unanimous decision in early November to take home the WBO welterweight title, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach's return last January proved to be the most talked about homecoming event of 2016. After four decades since Maria Margarita Roxas Moran-Floirendo won Miss Universe, no Filipina was able to take home the coveted crown of one of the most important and most popular international beauty pageant.
Thus, it is no surprise for the whole nation to rejoice when Pia Wurtzbach became the country's third Miss Universe titleholder. In a country where young children are encouraged to become sportsman/sportswoman, actors, performers and beauty titlists, Pia's perseverance in winning the Miss Universe title is exemplary if not legendary. She could have copyrighted the motto "try and try until you succeed" in her journey to become the most beautiful woman in the universe. Indeed, there is so much to grain after working hard to attain one's goal.
Above is the video of Pia Wurtzbach's grand homecoming parade at the country's premiere financial district Makati City.
Word(s) of the Year - Put*ngina (PI)
Homecoming of the Year - Pia Wurtzbach Miss Universe 2015 Grand Homecoming
Although Senator Manny Pacquiao won over Jessie Vargas by unanimous decision in early November to take home the WBO welterweight title, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach's return last January proved to be the most talked about homecoming event of 2016. After four decades since Maria Margarita Roxas Moran-Floirendo won Miss Universe, no Filipina was able to take home the coveted crown of one of the most important and most popular international beauty pageant.
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| MissUniverse 2015 - Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach |
Thus, it is no surprise for the whole nation to rejoice when Pia Wurtzbach became the country's third Miss Universe titleholder. In a country where young children are encouraged to become sportsman/sportswoman, actors, performers and beauty titlists, Pia's perseverance in winning the Miss Universe title is exemplary if not legendary. She could have copyrighted the motto "try and try until you succeed" in her journey to become the most beautiful woman in the universe. Indeed, there is so much to grain after working hard to attain one's goal.
Above is the video of Pia Wurtzbach's grand homecoming parade at the country's premiere financial district Makati City.
Word(s) of the Year - Put*ngina (PI)
Saying this word has earned President Duterte the distinction of the first elected Philippine leader to defy the subservient tradition and behavior of Filipinos towards Caucasians-in-power particularly Americans and Western Europeans including the Pope. Of course, utterance of this word earned the ire of the Catholic Church hierarchy and devout faithfuls. Diplomatic admonitions were earned by the speaker from US President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as well.
The use of this word by President Duterte also made broadcast monitoring difficult if not impossible for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board MTRCB which ensures that aired Television programs' contents are suitable for the shows' intended viewers. For parents, allowing their very young children to watch TV news becomes a quandary.
Hate Team of the Year - Senator Leila de Lima and President Rodrigo Duterte
Although the year started with the strong 2015 love team of Alden Richards and Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza, the new pair of Senator Leila de Lima and President Rodrigo Duterte eclipsed last year's couple of the year immediately after the President's Inauguration.
The pair's animosity is like a telenovela (television drama series) which started during the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when then Commissioner on Human Rights Leila de Lima unsuccessfully proved the direct connection of then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to the Davao Death Squad
Now, the tables are turned when President Rodrigo Duterte has identified the liability of then Department of Justice DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima during the previous administration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison which is under the DOJ.
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| Source : GetRealPhilippines.com (Yahoo Images) |
The animosity saga is designed to be of epic proportion but is unraveling to be a tawdry sex trip ST film of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Imagine, investigation at the lower house of Congress has gone to probing the intimate details of a seemingly adulterous relationship of the lady Senator with her previous Driver. Such relationship issue should be dealt with by the Supreme Court which is handling the disbarment case against the lady Senator.
Until this writing, the pair's hate story has not reached its final episode. Like any television series, one has to patiently wait for its conclusion probably in 2017, Although a resolution might be reached next year, a sequel might suddenly develop if the next administration will be sympathetic towards Senator de Lima.
Indio of the Year (Pinoy of the Year) - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
Hands-down and unanimous, the Filipino of the Year is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Whether you like him or not, Uncle Digong, Tatay Digong, Duts, DU30 or President Duterte made a mark in Philippine History in 2016. Although he was born in Leyte, President Duterte's political career is Mindanao-bred and raised. Thus, he is considered the first Mindanaon Philippine President.
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| Source: Wikipedia (Yahoo Images) |
Under a campaign platform of eradication of crime particularly war on illegal drugs, President Duterte garnered sixteen million plus votes to win the presidential race. After his inauguration, he initiated an independent foreign policy via a visit to China and meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the APEC Summit in Peru.
In the domestic forefront, President Duterte started the ball rolling for peace talks with the Mindanao Muslim rebels and the Communist Insurgents. Also, he is firmly set to come up with a definitive schedule for the change of system of government to Federalism.
Thus, attaining the desired end result by the current administration of any or several of the President's key advocacies such as Anti-Drug Campaign, Independent Foreign Policy, Peace Talks with the rebels and insurgents, and Shift to a Federal System of Government - will bring a major change in the country. The impact of such change will be felt by the coming generations.
(Note: Blogger chose the term INDIO to remind the readers the sacrifices and continuing struggles of Filipinos to be the masters in their own country the Philippines.)
