The accidental turned phenomenal on-screen love team of actor Alden Richards and Internet sensation Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza in Eat Bulaga’s hit “Kalyeserye” segment took 2015 by storm. The tandem’s undeniable chemistry, combined with the antics of Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, and Paolo Ballesteros, drew huge commercial success for the noontime show as evident in ratings and endorsements, and broke online records as well.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte knows how to shock his audience, from cursing Pope Francis to admitting to killing criminals. But nothing is as headline-grabbing as “#Duterteserye,” in which the mayor kept the country guessing whether or not he would run for president. In December, Duterte finally filed his certificate of candidacy. However, the Commission on Elections still has to approve his application.
Bayan o sarili? Many a Filipino have shouted–and tweeted–the epic battle cry of Antonio Luna, protagonist of the highly acclaimed historical indie “Heneral Luna.” The film, directed by Jerrod Tarog and starring John Arcilla, is now the highest-grossing Filipino historical film of all time despite its slow start in the box office.
Actress and senatorial aspirant Alma Moreno’s awkward interview with broadcaster Karen Davila became internet fodder and quickly went viral. Netizens went bonkers on how Moreno failed to answer the anchor’s questions on her advocacy. At one point, Moreno said she supports the reproductive health law “with reservations” but asked by Davila if she needed to elaborate further, to which the latter replied: “Of course you’re running for the Senate.”
Team Nieto or Team Trudeau? Filipinos swooned at the good looks Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, both of whom attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila. The informal rivalry between the two good-looking world leaders inspired the hashtag #APEChotties, which trended worldwide and even reached international media.
Former adult video actress Maria Ozawa is back the Philippines for the second time. She stars in Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Nilalang,” supposedly with actor Robin Padilla, who backed out at the last minute, and is set to open her own bar at Resorts World Manila. Ozawa once said her stay in the country has been “perfect” and that she doesn't want to spend her first Christmas here alone.
A great deal of controversy rocked the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) church this year over allegations of corruption and abduction by its former ministers. The now seemingly divided church took its issues both on the streets and in the courts, as thousands of protesters gathered in Manila and then to the Edsa Shrine amid pending cases before the Department of Justice.