AUGUST: CORY AND WILLIE. On August 1, 3:18 a.m., former Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the famous well-loved widow who restored our democracy through peaceful People Power in 1986, died of cardio-respiratory arrest after suffering from colon cancer. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Filipinos from all walks of life, of different religions and even clashing political colors, mournfully attended Cory's wake and joined her funeral procession towards the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.
While her remains were being transferred from De La Salle Greenhills to the Manila Cathedral on August 3, Willie Revillame, in the middle of his "Willie of Fortune" segment in Wowowee, burst out when he saw video clips of the funeral cortege streaming simultaneously with his variety-game show and demanded that these be removed until after the show:
".... Papa'no kami makapagsasaya, nahihirapan kami. I'm sorry ho, ha. Pero ako totoo ako, e. 'Wag niyo akong pagalitan... Pagkatapos ng show, ipakita niyo ang gusto niyong palabas. Kasi itong Wowowee, gusto ko, hindi ba—at alam din ni Tita Cory 'yan dahil napasaya rin siya ng show na ito—na laging masaya dito, okey?"
Willie's outburst on camera unleashed a tidal wave of outrage, like letters from big organizations of journalists (CLICK HERE to read article) and even protest by the Movie and Television Review and Classifications Board (MTRCB).
Willie publicly apologized to the Aquino family, but maintained he did nothing disrespectful. He said he was annoyed at the TV traffic team responsible for the flow of broadcast materials on the TV station, not at Cory's funeral cortege (CLICK HERE to read article).
With all the pressure and outcry against him, Willie took a leave on August 8.
ABS-CBN defended Willie by arguing that he did not violate any code of ethics or law (CLICK HERE to read article). However, the Kapamilya network extended Willie's leave until September 20.
On another front, Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo's additions to the list of National Artist Awardees—Carlo J. Caparas and Cecile Guidote-Alvarez—provoked past recipients of the award, and a few concerned showbiz personalities and politicians to protest the "Death of the National Artist Award" (CLICK HERE to read article) with a funeral march. The protesters took the issue to the Supreme Court (SC), which decided on August 25 to stop the conferment of the National Artist Awards.
More celebs got into a legal fix.The NBI recommended that DOJ file an Acts of Lasciviousness case against Aljur Abrenica (CLICK HERE to read article). The case was based on a complaint by a 15-year-old girl from Puerto Galera.
QC Prosecutor's office dismissed Annabelle Rama's "grave oral defamation" case against Wilma Galvante due to "lack of probable cause." The prosecutor found nothing derogatory or insulting in Galvante's statements to Annabelle's ward JC de Vera during his meeting with the lady executive. Annabelle wasn't happy with the decision and vowed not to stop her attacks on Galvante. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Meanwhile, Galvante's P7 million damage suit against Annabelle was forwarded to a court, after mediation between the two parties failed. (CLICK HERE to read article)
DOJ filed murder charges against the suspects of the brutal killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, former actress Rochelle Barrameda's sister. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Katrina Halili's libel case against Mrs. Irene Kho was junked by the Quezon City Prosecutor's office. Katrina's camp filed a petition for review at the DOJ. (CLICK HERE to read article)
SEPTEMBER: SURVIVING DISASTER. September 26 brought death and sorrow to thousands of typhoon victims. But it also brought out some of our best qualities as Filipinos—resilience, courage, kindness, selflessness; in other words, our unique bayanihan spirit.
Typhoon Ondoystruck the Philippines on September 24, causing rains in Virac, Catanduanes, Baler and Polilio, Quezon. By the 26th, non-stop downpour caused flashfloods in Metro Manila, Marikina, Pasig, and Taytay. Marikina was hit hard by Ondoy, with floods that submerged whole houses and causing a heavy death toll.
Cristine Reyes and her family got stranded on the roof of their two-storey house in Provident Village, Marikina, as floodwaters rose from the Marikina River (CLICK HERE to read article). The FHM 2009 sexiest Pinay called for help through her cell phone, and among those who heeded her call was her Patient X leading man Richard Gutierrez.
Many other showbiz personalities also felt Ondoy's wrath—among them, Gladys Reyesand her family, mother and daughterJeanand Jennica Garcia,Carmina Villarroel,Zoren Legaspiand their kids Cassandraand Maverick,Sylvia Sanchezand family, and comedianChokoleit.
In the face of disaster emerged the courage and selflessness of Jericho Rosales, Gerald Anderson,Raymart Santiago, andJudy Ann Santosand husband Ryan Agoncillo. Hundreds of volunteers, both in and out of showbiz, contributed in rescue communications work on TV and in raising material and financial donations.
Before Ondoy hit Metro Manila, some important events that made PEPsters sit up were:Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo'sdeath (CLICK HERE to read article), Dennis Trillo's tragic Boracay trip (CLICK HERE to read article), Eugene Domingo's Kimmy Dora: Kambal Sa Kiyeme's box-office draw (CLICK HERE to read article), and the filing of Reckless Imprudence Resulting In Homicide charges against Richard Gutierrezby the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Cavite.
OCTOBER: CELEBS FOR A CAUSE.Barely recovering from Ondoy's attack, Filipinos were alerted to the coming of another big storm (CLICK HERE to read article). Typhoon Pepeng hit northern Luzon, particularly Benguet and Pangasinan. Quick to respond once again were the celebrities who had helped during Ondoy's havoc.
Actresses Angel Locsinand Anne Curtisstarted an online auction fund drive to help the typhoon survivors. Kris Aquinoimmediately offered her help. Soon other celebrities followed and gave their precious personal items for the actresses' online auction, Shop and Share. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Ogie Alcasid, meanwhile, called on artists from the rival giant networks to unite for the benefit of the typhoon survivors. The singer-songwriter had composed "Kaya Natin 'To" during Ondoy's assault. He asked them to record the song with him; all the earnings of the CD would be donated to the survivors of the two typhoons.
Senegalese-American Hiphop and RnB artist Akon, expressing his sympathy for the typhoon victims, donated the proceeds of his Freedom Tour 2009 concert in Araneta Coliseum through the Philippine National Red Cross.(CLICK HERE to read article)
But the month turned out to be incomplete without showbiz issues.
One video of a celebrity made rounds in emails, YouTube, blogs and Facebook accounts—an edited clip of Aga Muhlach criticizing the government. In his exclusive interview with PEP, Aga said the video was from Cito Beltran's show Straight Talk, four or five years ago. Then, an obviously frustrated Aga vented his dismay over corrupt politicians who keep betraying the people's trust. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Rumors that Sunshine Dizon was pulled out from her show Tinik Sa Dibdib were confirmed in a statement released by GMA Network. (CLICK HERE to read article) The official reason for her departure from the drama series was "due to health reasons."
But there was also the brighter side of showbiz.
Two Pinoy drama series and a Filipino actress were among the nominees in the 37th International Emmy Awards. ABS-CBN's Kahit Isang Saglit and GMA-7's Magdusa Ka were among the foreign drama series nominated in the Best Telenovela category, while Angel Locsin was nominated for the Best Actress category for her performance in Lobo. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Senator Mar Roxas, 52, and broadcaster Korina Sanchez, 45, finally tied the knot. The wedding was attended by nearly 3,000 guests inside the church and 2,000-plus supporters. Family members and friends from showbiz and politics topped the guest list. (CLICK HERE to read article)
NOVEMBER: CONTROVERSY SPOILS CELBRATION. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao beat Mexican welterweight boxing champ Miguel Cotto on the 12th round (CLICK HERE to read article). The win made Manny the first in boxing history to hold seven championship belts in seven different weight divisions.
But the celebration was spoiled by rumors linking Manny to Wapakman co-star Krista Ranillo. Before the fight, rumors had been going around that Manny and Krista were secretly having an affair. Manny and his wife Jinkee reportedly had a fight over Krista before Manny's match with Cotto (CLICK HERE to read article). There was even a YouTube video clip of Manny in a car with a mysterious woman. (CLICK HERE to read article) YouTube viewers commented that the mysterious woman was no other than Krista. Both Manny and Krista denied the rumor. Manny said Krista was just a friend and that he and wife Jinkee were fine. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Earlier this month, while photos of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera malling in Singapore surfaced (CLICK HERE to read article), it was revealed that Robin Padilla had been already separated from wife Liezl Sycangco for two years. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Local showbiz embraced a new darling in the person of the "Pac-Mom" Dionisia "Mommy D" Pacquiao. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Former Optical Media Board chairman and former Pilipinas, Game KNB? host Edu Manzano was chosen as presidential aspirant Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro's running mate in the 2010 elections. (CLICK HERE to read article)
After Pacman's victory, we celebrated again and proudly hailed "Pushcart Educator" Efren Peñaflorida—CNN's Hero of the Year awardee for 2009. (CLICK HERE to read article)
Proud to be Kapuso from now on were Claudine Barretto (CLICK HERE to read article) and Bayani Agbayani (CLICK HERE to read article) as they switched networks.
The death of veteran actor Johnny Delgado (CLICK HERE to read article) and original Palos star Bernard Bonnin (CLICK HERE to read article) shrouded showbiz in bereavement.
On November 23, the massacre of 57 civilians in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, exploded in national outrage. GMA-7 and ABS-CBN issued statements condemning the massacre. (CLICK HERE to read article)
DECEMBER: DENIAL, DEATH, AND DISAPPOINTMENT. Unconfirmed reports reached PEP: Hayden Kho was rushed to a hospital after another attempt at suicide (CLICK HERE to read article). His lawyers denied the report, saying it was a case of intestinal flu. But the persons who helped Hayden said they found him bruised and bloodied in a pineapple plantation in Silang, Cavite. (CLICK HERE to read article) The Kho family denied any suicide attempt. (CLICK HERE to read article). Sen. Bong Revilla Jr., on the other hand, insisted Hayden was lying. (CLICK HERE to read article) The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) had revoked Hayden's medical license, December 1.
With few days left before the showing of her comeback film, Mano Po 6, Sharon Cuneta experienced a tragedy. Yaya Luring, 83, who had taken care of Sharon since she was five, died of a heart attack. (CLICK HERE to read article)
It would have been what boxing fanatics would call "The Fight of the Century," if Floyd Mayweather Jr., his dad Floyd Sr. and their associates hadn't accused Manny Pacquiao of using "performance-enhancing drugs." Manny, who had agreed to fight Mayweather come March 2010, changed his mind and instructed his promoter Bob Arum to help him file libel charges against Mayweather, et al. (CLICK HERE to read article)
The Year of the Ox may have brought a lot of bad experiences and sad memories for most of us. Some even say it was the worst year ever, with all the deaths, typhoons, and bad politicians.
But the tragedies were wake-up calls that prompted us to be more involved, more aware and to care.
Now we welcome the Tiger and brace ourselves for whatever challenges lie ahead.