The Philippine Roller Coaster Ride in 2015: A REVIEW OF TOP EVENTS

The Philippine Roller Coaster Ride in 2015: A REVIEW OF TOP EVENTS

It was an action-packed 2015 in the Philippines in terms of news. The year kicked off with the spiritually inspiring Papal visit, which saw record crowds turning up to catch a glimpse of the charismatic pontiff. The country’s fortunes went on a roller-coaster ride from there, but ended on a very high note when Miss Philippines PiaWurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe amid a helter-skelter pageant hosting. In between were viral fiascos like the Iglesia ni Cristo infighting and the bullet planting (“tanim-bala”) scam at NAIA and other events which kept the overseas community tuned in. Here’s a look-back at the top 10 stories in 2015:

POPE FRANCIS TAKES PH BY STORM

Pope Francis touched the hearts of millions of Filipinos, Catholics and non-Catholics alike,during his a five-day apostolic visit to the Philippines from Jan.15 to 19, 2015. His visit broke attendance records for papal events, with an astounding six million gathering for one single event, the outdoor Mass held at Rizal Park.

The Catholic pontiff likewise visited Leyte to comfort the victims of Typhoon Haiyan which devastated the province in late 2013. Many Filipinos were touched by the pope’s moving statements on corruption and social injustice, climate change, and responsible parenthood. These themes resonated with Filipinos seeking spiritual refuge from the country’s ills, but also provoked discussion on which the pope’s messages were directed at.

ELECTION CIRCUS BEGINS

Election season kicked off in the Philippines in October, as politicians, both old and new, serious or delusional, signed up as candidates for 18,000 elective positions.The presidential race to choose the successor to President Benigno Aquino III next May figures to be as drama-filled as the previous ones. The early survey front-runners included Vice President Jejomar Binay; Sen. Grace Poe, the adopted daughter of movie icons Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces; former senator and Cabinet member Manuel “Mar” Roxas; the outspoken Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago; and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Aquino has urged voters to choose long-time ally Roxas to continue his “straight path” program of government which he says has resulted in the country’s impressive economic growth. But Roxas is struggling in surveys and has consistently fallen behind Binay and Poe, who have alternated at the top spot. Binay, however, continues to face serious allegations of corruption and plunder, while Poe risks being disqualified as a candidate due to questions about her residency and citizenship status.

After flip-flopping several times on whether to run or not, Duterte, widely perceived as tough on crime and corruption, finally decided to throw his hat into the race, instantly drawing widespread support and impressive survey ratings.

The vice presidency is being contested by Sens. Francis Escudero (running with Poe), Alan Peter Cayetano (Duterte), Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Santiago), Gregorio Honasan (Binay), and Rep.Leni Robredo (Roxas), widow of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

PACQUIAO SQUARES OFF WITH MAYWEATHER FOR BIGGEST PRIZE FIGHT

In the most anticipated boxing bout of all time, the “Fight of the Century”between the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao finally took place in May 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The mega-fight was the most lucrative and most widely-hyped encounter between boxing superstars, generating over $400 million in revenue and producing record earnings for both fighters.

The hoopla surrounding the prize fight was unlike anything seen in recent times, as 16,000 spectators, including Hollywood celebrities like Robert de Niro, Jimmy Kimwell, Denzel Washington, Beyonce, Jay Z; models, sports superstars, singers and businessmen like Donald Trump descending in Sin City to watch the action live. Prohibitive TV per-per-view prices, the highest ever for any professional sport, also generated record receipts.

The bout, however, famously failed to live up to the hype, as Mayweather easily won by decision while employing his hit-and-run-and-clinch tactics which frustrated Pacquiao for nearly the entire 12 rounds. It was later revealed that Pacquiao was nursing a right shoulder injury while Mayweather allegedly took a banned intravenous substance of saline and vitamins before the fight.

PARADISE DISTURBED

On Sept. 21, armed men believed to be members of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) abducted three foreigners and one Filipina from Holiday Oceanview Marina in Samal Island.
A video surfaced in November showing the captors demanding at least P4 billion in ransom money in exchange for the safe release of Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Marites Flor. An earlier video released on the Internet on Oct. 13 was filmed in a jungle, while the latest video was uploaded on the Internet on Nov. 4.

Malacanang meanwhile has reiterated its no-ransom policy. “The policy of the government doesn’t change. We don’t negotiate in instances like this. The tracking and search and rescue operations are still ongoing as we speak,” Undersecretary Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson said in news reports.Neither the suspects nor the victims have been found as of press time.

FAMILY FEUD RIPS IGLESIA NI CRISTO APART

The third biggest religious denomination in the Philippines, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, faced a major crisis in July, following allegations of mass kidnapping of ministers, corruption, and a power struggle within the church hierarchy.

The rift within the Manalo family, founding members of the century-old church, exploded when Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, brother of Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, and their mother, Cristina “Tenny” Manalo, widow of former executive minister Eraño Manalo, uploaded a video on YouTube saying that INC threatened their lives.

The video became viral and triggered a media frenzy over the silent issues’ inside the church. A chronicle of abductions and other alleged misdeeds of the Iglesia leadership surfaced. Ex-ministers like Lowell Menorca have surfaced to recount ordeals at the hands of the INC leaders. Isaias Samson Jr., former editor of Iglesia ni Cristo’s official publication “Pasugo” and one of the ministers claiming abduction, also faced the press to reveal how corruption allegedly thrives inside the home-grown church.

Members of the sect held a five-day protest on EDSA which started in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ), alleging the DOJ violated the doctrine of separation of the state and the church, and the freedom of religion when the latter proceeded to hear the charges against the INC leaders. But a number of US-based members did not go along with official church pronouncements, demanding instead an investigation on the alleged improprieties.

The scandal also ignited a political firestorm after Sens. Grace Poe and Francis Escudero issued statements in defense of the INC leadership. The statements did not sit well with critics of the church and a large segment of the public resentful of the INC’s growing political influence.

BULLET SCAM BLOWS OVER

An alleged extortion scam perpetrated by airport security personnel in the Philippines planting bullets in travelers gained worldwide condemnation late in 2015. The modus operandi involved dropping or inserting bullets in travelers’ luggage, using them to extort money from unwitting victims.

The Aviation Security Group at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said 30 cases were recorded in 2015, including those of Gloria Ortinez, an OFW from Hong Kong; a Japanese tourist; and an American missionary. They were arrested, detained and threatened with lawsuits unless they forked out hefty amounts of money.

Local government officials and lawmakers have weighed in on the controversy. Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Chiz Escudero have filed complaints against Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado and Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya for neglect of duty and command responsibilities.

Malacañang has vowed to put an end to the scheme.“We assure the public that we will go after whoever the culprit is,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. For its part, the Justice Department has designated a prosecutor at NAIA to protect passengers from the scam. Meanwhile, 40 security personnel are being investigated over the scam.
News of the scam was picked up by international media, stirring widespread concern and fear from international travelers.

ALDUB LOVE TEAM STEALS HEARTS OF MILLIONS

The biggest showbiz news was undoubtedly the “AlDub” phenomenon, which drew unprecedented attention from both television and social media users. For several weeks, TV viewers worldwide tuned in daily to “Eat Bulaga,” a long-running noontime variety show, to catch the latest episode of its “KalyeSerye” a drama-comedy skit featuring the “AlDub” love team of heartthrob Alden Richards and dubsmashing sensation Maine Mendoza, a.k.a. “Yaya Dub”.

The viral romance started with a split-screen pairing, with neither actor expecting the gig to become a worldwide craze. They expressed adoration for each other by lip synching lines from popular love songs and movies. The split-screen romance instantly caught on, whetting viewers’ appetite daily for every new episode, and culminating in their dramatic first meeting and embrace on Oct. 24, at a huge charity concert held before a record crowd at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena. The concert, #AldubEBTamangPanahon ((AlDub, at the right time) which also celebrated Eat Bulaga’s 36th anniversary, drew more than 41 million tweets, smashing previous records set by events like the FIFA World Cup 2014 and Superbowl 2013.

The screen drama spread like wildfire and won the hearts of millions Filipinos from different walks of life,all over the globe. It has also boosted the career of both stars, especially Mendoza, who was a virtual unknown before her appearance in the skit. The AlDub phenomenon spawned a series of high-profile commercial endorsements, led by fast-food chain McDonald’s, a platinum record for Richards’ album, and a movie, “My Pabebe Love,” which won for Mendoza a surprise Best Supporting Actress award at the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.

APEC AND APEC-HOTTIES

Over 7,000 delegates from all over the world converged in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 18 to 19. The event was hosted by the Philippines and chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The big international event happened under the shadow of terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut and Russian aircraft over the Sinai and efforts to fight terrorism were stressed during the meet, but proceeded to tackle its agenda built around inclusive growth and support for small business.

The meeting drew the participation of all but two (Russia and Indonesia) leaders of the 21 member economies. One of the highlights was the APEC CEO Summit which featured a dialogue between U.S. President Barack Obama, Jack Ma of the Alibaba Group, and Filipina engineer, Aisa Mijeno. Obama talked about climate change and stressed the need to act on it now. Ma called for empowerment of the more than 10 million small businesses in the world. Mijeno, founder of a company which makes ecological lamps that run on salt water, discussed the lack of support from private sector and the government.

Chinese President Xi Jinping assured partners and investors of Chinese cooperation, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev hinted of a joint answer in the fight against ISIS.
In a statement issued by the leaders, they strongly condemned terrorism and called for international cooperation in the fight against terrorist activities. They added that economic growth and opportunity were among the “most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization.”

As expected, not everyone was happy with the country’s handling of the event. Traffic congestions and disruptions resulted from tight security and rerouting schemes at major thoroughfares like EDSA and Roxas Boulevard. Several flights were cancelled, resulting in losses for the airline industry, with Philippine Airlines claiming it lost an estimated P870 million, and Cebu Pacific giving up P400 million. The budget for the event, a whopping P10 billion, was also considered exorbitant and excessive by critics and activists.

There was also a lighter side to the meeting, as women swooned over the youthful good looks of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Nieto, setting off a social media war on which leader was more attractive. A headline by the Philippine Daily Inquirer read:“Girls have only eyes for Trudeau, Nieto.”Rock star frenzy and shrieks from fans greeted the two APEC “hotties.”

TYPHOON NONA BATTERS PH IN DECEMBER

A powerful typhoon codenamed Nona (Melor), crossed central Philippines in mid-December killed 40 people, injured 24,and destroyed over 132,000 homes, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The typhoon, which made multiple landfalls in the Visayas and Luzon, knocked down power supply in large areas, including the entire province of Albay, and forced the evacuation of about 800,000 people.
Nona, the 14th tropical cyclone to hit the country in 2015, has also left some P2 billion worth of damage, which prompted President Aquino to declare a state of national calamity.

WHO’S THE REAL QUEEN?

Miss Universe 2015 was supposed to be the crowning glory for Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Instead, it was host Steve Harvey’s grievous error of announcing the wrong winner during the annual pageant which grabbed international headlines.

The monumental gaffe happened during the pageant’s final moments when Harvey mistakenly named Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as Miss Universe 2015. Gutierrez was hugged by Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega, a fellow Colombian, as Vega placed the $30,000-blue diamond and topaz crown on her head. Gutierrez’s glory only lasted for two minutes, as Harvey later on corrected himself, saying it was Miss Philippines who won.
Not only did Harvey interrupt Miss Colombia’s celebratory walk on stage, he deprived Wurtzbach her moment of glory, as the program and live telecast had ended abruptly after the correction was made.

“Okay folks, I have to apologize,” Harvey said as he approached Miss Colombia, who was still waving her country’s flag and blowing kisses to the audience. “I will take responsibility for this,” he continued. “It was my mistake. It was on the card. Horrible mistake. Please don’t hold it against the ladies. We feel so badly,” he said.

The show closed with a painful shot of Colombia’s Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo having the crown taken from her head and given to a surprised Miss Philippines. The mix-up offended many Colombian and Latin Americans, provoking angry comments in social media denouncing Harvey and pageant organizers, and conjuring up various conspiracy theories.

– Mary Ann R. Mandap