2008 newsmakers

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language

And the next year’s words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

— T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding (No. 4 of Four Quartets)

As we start 2009, let us look back at 2008, an interesting and memorable year, to say the least. Despite an avalanche of setbacks, Filipinos remained steadfast during odd times. Here are some of the newsmakers who hogged the headlines last year.

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “JocJoc” Bolante returned to the Philippines after his detention in the US. He is accused of being the alleged architect of the anomalous distribution of the fund that was intended for farmers’ benefits. Bolante suddenly disappeared in the middle of the Senate investigation in 2005. He was later arrested in the US because his travel visa expired. Upon his return to the country, Bolante was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He was immediately rushed to the Saint Luke’s Medical Center after suffering from chest pains. Bolante was recently released by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee from his seven-day detention in the Senate after filing criminal charges against him with the Department of Justice.

The euro funds controversy hit the headlines after retired Police Director Eliseo dela Paz was apprehended at the Moscow international airport for carrying 105,000 euros (P6.9-M), undeclared and in excess of the permissible limit. It was allegedly disclosed that Dela Paz, the group’s disbursement officer, was actually carrying P9.2-M, P2.9-M for travel expenses and P6.9-M for contingencies. He and eight other PNP officials joined a delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in St. Petersberg, Russia. PNP Director General Jesus Versoza ordered the filing of criminal and administrative cases against them. Dela Paz later surrendered to Sen. Panfilo Lacson who brought him to the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia Jr.

The controversy hounding the National Broadband Network deal with China’s ZTE Corporation continues. Several prominent figures were linked to the botched deal. Early this year, Philippine Forest Corp. president Rodolfo Lozada Jr. who supposedly knew how the ZTE contract was overpriced, flew to Hong Kong. It was reported that Lozada was kidnapped upon his return to the Philippines. He claimed in his interviews and press conferences that he was taken into custody against his will. He sought refuge from priests and nuns who accompanied him during his personal appearances. Jose de Venecia’s son Joey implicated some high and mighty political personalities severing his ties with the Philippines’ First Family. De Venecia was unceremoniously unseated as the House Speaker.

Fifteen Filipino athletes from taekwondo, boxing, swimming, diving, track and field, archery, trap shooting, and weightlifting competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in their quest for the elusive Olympic gold medal. Willy Wang won the gold medal for the Philippines for a wushu competition, a demonstration sport in the Beijing Olympics.

Manny Pacquiao never fails to deliver his lethal punches inside the ring. The super boxer from General Santos lorded over his opponents. A ferocious pugilist, he defeated Oscar dela Hoya, David Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez in their boxing bouts this year. Pacman’s fight with Golden Boy Oscar dela Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada was called a Dream Match.  

Nobody can stop young singing sensation Charice from becoming an international music superstar. She became a singing sensation when her Little Big Star performance of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You was uploaded on YouTube last year. Charice stunned the world with her brilliant voice. She proves that Filipino singers are some of the best in the world. She has rubbed elbows with top international stars Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, Paul O’Grady, Josh Groban, David Foster, Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli. She has made Filipinos proud when she guested in Celine Dion’s concert at Madison Square Garden in New York and sang Because You Loved Me with the international diva before 18,000 people. Aside from her live guestings, Charice was also featured in news programs abroad like E-News Daily 10 USA, CNN Korea, and France News.

Arnel Pineda (a Filipino vocalist) also became the frontman of the band The Journey.

Cheers to all of us as we start a brand new year!