A fresh gait in the walk. Refreshed. But only temporarily because the drive that used to sustain the energy has now waned. Or found a new host, which is everything but a blurry, hazy horizon to them. It’s their drive that drives them now, dictating the pace and direction, only they are held hostage by it and don’t know why. They just follow without question, without hesitation. The drive is now human and them, the abstract, intangible feeling.
Philippine newsmakers, noisemakers for 2010
As we welcome the new year, let’s take a quick look at the newsmakers and noisemakers in the Philippines for 2010. This is in no particular order.
a. Presidential Elections and Pnoy. This elections made noise not only because it’s the first automated elections in the Philippines, but also because people wanted a new president so badly. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, riding on his parents’ popularity and legacy, convinced many Filipinos that he’s the right man for the job. But it was his love life and the communication booboos of his appointees that caught more public attention than the changes he’s started to institute.
b. Manila Hostage Crisis at the Quirino Grandstand. This is, sadly, the biggest news and noise in the Philippines for 2010 and it’s not good for the Philippines. You only need to google “Manila Hostage Crisis” to see all the sites devoted to the anguish and anger over this hostage drama. I watched this live on TV and I never felt the kind of fear in my life before by just watching something on TV. Here’s part of it:
c. SC decision on the Vizconde Massacre. The unexpected noisemaker for the last month of 2010 is the Supreme Court decision acquitting Hubert Webb and 6 others from the Vizconde Massacre case. Lauro Vizconde’s effort of seeking justice for losing his wife and daughters in a gruesome homicide was all put in vain, no thanks to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
d. Jejemons. The new branding for jologs became mainstream in 2010. This is a subculture in Manila characterized by how they change words in text messages to the point of being incomprehensible. This pop culture group even has its own translator. Click here to try it out.
e. Venus Raj. The 4th runner up in the 2010 Ms. Universe made local noise because of her “major, major” answer in the pageant, criticized by many who thought she could do so much better in the Q&A portion. “Major, major” has become a popular part of Pinoy lingo.
f. Manny Pacquiao. Pacman, the People’s Champ, makes world history by being the first boxer to win 10 world titles in eight weight divisions. He beat Antonio Margarito, who suffered a fractured right orbital bone, to win the vacant junior middleweight belt.
Do you have any addition to the list of Philippine noisemakers and newsmakers for 2010?
collapsing barrycade 
