2009 was quite a year for us. Controversies, scandals, tragedies and a virus scare definitely made some noise.
It has been 4 months since my last post, and for my “comeback” entry, I’ll share to you guys my top stories of 2009. There really is no official basis for my ranking, just my own personal opinion, I’m not even sure how to rank these stories so feel free to share what you guys think should also be in my list.

10. Efren Peñaflorida, who started a “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

9. The wedding of Sen. Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez. Wedding of the year? or just another political move?? you decide…

8. Our Pambansang Kamao made us proud again! Manny Pacquiao won his match against Miguel Cotto. But the celebration of his victory quickly faded away when news of his so called affair with sexy actress Krista Ranillo started to take the spotlight.

7. Master Rapper Francis Magalona passes away at 44. Diagnosed with Leukemia, the death of the “King of Pinoy Rap” was a great loss to the Filipino music industry.

6. The death of Michael Jackson. The whole world mourned for the loss of the King of Pop whom people say is the greatest entertainer/performer and a true superstar. Tributes where everywhere and fans were reuniting just to honor their favorite artist. MJ’s “This Is It” tour, which was suppose to be his “final curtain call” but didn’t even get the chance to do it, was later turned into a movie.

5. Former President Corazon Aquino, dubbed Mother of Democracy, died due to complications from colon cancer. This later on lead to Noynoy’s candidacy for president for the 2010 Philippine elections and Mar Roxas running for vice-president instead.

4. The A(H1N1) Virus or Swine Flu scare. The World Health Organization declared the first global flu pandemic in more than four decades. The growing number of deaths and quarantines, inevitably, caused panic and everyone was being more careful.

3. Who could forget the Hayden Kho Scandal? Everyone was talking about those naughty videos of the celebrity doctor that’s been circulating the internet. DVD copies where even sold everywhere! What made it even more scandalous was that, two other tv personalities (Katrina Halili and Maricar Reyes) were involved!

2. The tragedy that Typhoon Ondoy brought upon us. Homes were destroyed and lives were taken, but the Filipinos, united as we are, still did everything we could to help all the victims.

1. The shocking Maguindanao Massacre. 57 people were killed and about 30 of those were journalists. The Philippines was labeled the second most dangerous country for journalists, second only to Iraq. President Gloria Arroyo placed the Maguindanao province under a state of martial law but the declaration was later on lifted.

It was definitely a tough year. Let’s just pray for 2010 to be better. It’s time to have a fresh start! =]