Every end of December, INQUIRER.net compiles 49 of the most compelling stories and issues and groups them into seven key lists that encapsulate the year that’s been. The year 2015 in particular saw the Philippines thrust further into the global stage, whether for reasons good–”Heneral Luna,” COP21 and Miss Universe–or bad–Mamasapano, #APECtado and lumad kilings.
The sixth of the yearend series lists the seven most fist-pumping stories of Pinoy pride this year, from former child star Jiro Manio found homeless at Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Krisel Mallari’s scathing speech against her school’s officials for supposed bias in naming her graduating batch’s valedictorian.
The Inquirer #BestofSeven for 2015 runs from December 24 to 30. Check out the rest of the lists here or by clicking the image at the end of this article.
1. PH’s Pia Wurtzbach wins Miss Universe
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of Cagayan de Oro City was crowned Miss Universe title in December 2015, 42 years after the Philippines last won the beauty pageant. She is the third Filipino to win the tilt after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973. Her win, however, was not without controversy: she was first named 1st runner up before the announcement was corrected minutes after.
Refresh your memory:
Philippines’ Pia Wurtzbach is Miss Universe 2015
Pia Wurtzbach: ‘I am confidently beautiful with a heart’
Netizens post sharp, witty tweets vs Steve Harvey on Miss Universe gaffe
2. Mineski competes in international eSports arena
Filipino powerhouse Dota 2 team Mineski beat the odds as it made its way to the Frankfurt Fall Major championship despite being the seen as the underdog. With a series of surprising wins before the main event, Mineski defeated some of the best Dota 2 teams in the world, including the former international champion and one of the tops teams in China.
Refresh your memory:
Mineski to face major champions in opening match at the Summit
Mineski books tickets to Frankfurt Major
3. UP student attains highest grade since end of WWII
BS Biology graduate Tiffany Grace Uy sent the Internet abuzz in June after getting the highest post-war weighted average grade (1.004) from the University of the Philippines. Uy did not only break records but also earned the admiration of many Filipino. She said that “grade is just a number” for her, she has a boyfriend, and a social life like any normal student.
Refresh your memory:
Biology student breaks highest grade record in post-war UP
Grade just a number for No. 1 grad in UP’s post WWII history
Funny, quirky side of Tiffany Uy
4. Filipinos wow in international singing contests
Local acts making waves in international competitions are not new, but the X-Factor talent shows in particular catapulted Filipino talent to the spotlight all year round. In the United Kingdom, all-girl group and former “It’s Showtime” champions 4th Impact in “The X-Factor UK” wowed viewers and judges with their renditions to pop tunes. In Australia, 19-year-old Fil-Aussie Cyrus Villanueva took home the gold with his versions of popular songs.
Refresh your memory:
WATCH: Ex-‘Showtime’ champs wow X-Factor UK
PH group in ‘X Factor UK’: Poverty is no hindrance
Fil-Aussie Cyrus Villanueva wins X-Factor Australia
5. PH a key player in COP21
At the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris, the Philippines was among 195 countries that drafted an agreement obligating the world to work together against climate change. The country’s delegation, led by Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman, was neither the biggest nor the richest, but it sure was one of the most influential as the current chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum.
Refresh your memory:
PH welcomes Paris accord on behalf of climate victims
PH delegation opens all doors to media, NGOs as COP21 nears end
PH positions reflected in draft of Paris climate pact
6. Gilas Pilipinas returns to Fiba Asia finals
Gilas Pilipinas may have failed to secure an outright berth to the 2016 Rio Olympics, but it proved that it’s still one of Asia’s most formidable after going toe-to-toe with powerhouse China in the final round of the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship. The Philippines’ run to the final was marked with strong wins over Kuwait, Hong Kong, Japan, erstwhile defending champion Iran, India, and Lebanon.
Refresh your memory:
Gilas Pilipinas nips Japan, faces China in Fiba Asia 2015 final
Gilas Pilipinas back home from Fiba Asia stint
China Olympics-bound after outmuscling Gilas for Fiba Asia title
7. Miss Earth back-to-back win for Philippines
The Philippines posted a historic back-to-back win in the Miss Earth beauty pageant in Vienna, Austria after Angelia Ong of Manila received the crown from last year’s winner, Jamie Herrell of Cebu. It was the first time in the pageant’s 15-year run that a country sealed a back-to-back victory.
Refresh your memory:
Philippines’ Angelia Ong makes history as Miss Earth 2015
2 in a row: Angelia wins Miss Earth title for PH
Vienna to host Miss Earth 2015
Did we miss any other fist-pumping stories? Share with us your thoughts!
