MANILA, Philippines - Google searches for the months of August and September reflect a mix of interests — from advocacy to fashion to tech, to name a few. The August pop culture list is led by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, after being undertaken by local and global celebrities, politicians, and business leaders. This month, searches built up the most for Bench’s “The Naked Truth” show and Apple’s launch of its latest devices, with Apple Watch leading the new batch.
Pinoys also joined the rest in the world in remembering comedians Robin Williams and Joan Rivers who both passed away. It’s noticeable that searches for singer Robbie Williams suddenly increased in the week of Robin’s death, implying possible confusion between the two names.
Meanwhile, Pinoys are still heavily invested in photography with almost half the app searches in recent months fueling our penchant for pictures. The start of the “ber” months also sparked our holiday spirit with Christmas songs in the lead for music searches.
AUGUST
1. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
2. Robin Williams movies
3. Ramon Bautista
4. Ninoy Aquino
5. Rurouni Kenshin
6. Brooklyn Beckham
7. Stephen Hawking
8. PBA Draft 2014
9. Sandbox Pampanga
10. JaDine
Most-searched celebrities: Ramon Bautista, Zelda WIlliams, Herbert Bautista, John Lloyd Cruz, Serena Dalrymple, Thalia, Nadine Lustre, Brooklyn Beckham, Dingdong Dantes, Darren Espanto.
Most-searched films: Patch Adams, Rurouni Kenshin, Lucy, Into the Storm, Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society, Kenshin Himura, Jumanji, Into the Woods, Studio Ghibli.
Most-searched TV shows: Pretty Man, Kenshin Himura, Bleach, Masterchef Season 5, PBB All In, Naruto Shippuden, Shingeki No Kyojin, Ikaw Lamang, Gandang Gabi Vice, Marriage, Not Dating.
Most-searched musicians: Robbie Williams, Chris Martin, Red Velvet, IU, Jang Geun Suk, Lyca Gairanod, Nicki Minaj, Juan Karlos Labajo, Rita Ora, Bamboo Mañalac.
Most-searched songs: Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, Dakilang Lahi by Ciara Sotto, Bang Bang by Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj, Isang Lahi by Regine Velasquez, Rude by Magic!, Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer, Someday by Nina, Aking Ama by Lil Coli, Break Free by Ariana Grande, Invisible by Hunter Hayes.
Most-searched books: Rurouni Kenshin, Bleach, Naruto Shippuden, Shingeki No Kyojin, Ao Haru Ride, Divergent, One Piece, If I Stay, Hunger Games, Fairy Tail.
Most-searched mobile apps: Mobogenie, Psiphone, Skype, Facebook Messenger, Mobo Market, Photoscape, Photogrid, Pixlr Express, WebCamera360, Picmonkey.
Most-searched games: Gnar League of Legends, RedAq, Alfheim Tales Online, Nemesis Worlds, Soldier Front, Helmet Heroes, Aeria Games, Assault Fire, Tetris Battle, Clash of Clans.
Most-searched athletes: Paul George, Kevin Ware, Gilas Pilipinas, Kobe Paras, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Sabina Altynbekova, Andray Blatche, Alyssa Valdez, Michael Jordan.
Most-searched events: Ninoy Aquino Day, Buwan ng Wika, PBA Draft 2014, Kadayawan Festival, NCAA Season 90, UAAP Season 77, FIBA, Miss Universe 2014, SONA 2014, August 2014 Holidays.
SEPTEMBER
1. Joan Rivers
2. The Naked Truth
3. Apple Watch
4. Billy Crawford
5. Maria Leonora Teresa
6. 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup
7. 2014 Asian Games
8. Maalaala Mo Kaya
9. McKayla Maroney
10. Hope Solo
Most-searched celebrities: Joan Rivers, Billy Crawford, Melissa Benoist, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Rice, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Victoria Justice, Brie Larson, Sid Lucero, Boy Abunda.
Most-searched films: Maria Leonora Teresa, The Maze Runner, 28 Weeks Later, Edge of Tomorrow, The Gifted, If I Stay, Begin Again, The Giver, Chef, Warm Bodies.
Most-searched TV shows: Maalaala Mo Kaya, May Queen, Angel Eyes, One Piece, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, America’s Next Top Model Cycle 21, I Do, MasterChef US Season 5, Hunter x Hunter, Naruto Shippuden.
Most-searched musicians: Meghan Trainor, Michael Pangilinan, Eraserheads, B1A4, Air Supply, The Script, Sharon Cuneta, Ariana Grande, The Beatles, Niall Horan.
Most-searched songs: Christmas Songs, Ikaw by Yeng Constantino, Wiggle by Jason Derulo, Anaconda by Nicki Minaj, Rude by Magic!, Bang Bang by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Superheroes by The Script, Black Widow by Iggy Azalea Feat. Rita Ora, Break Free by Ariana Grande, Bahala Na by James Reid and Nadine Lustre.
Most-searched books: Naruto, Where She Went, Tokyo Ghoul, The Hunger Games, Akame ga Kill!, Teen Clash, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, One Piece, Inuyasha, Harry Potter.
Most-searched mobile apps: Camera360 Ultimate, Retrica, Mobogenie, Pou, Waze, Candy Crush Saga, Instagram, Viber, Angry Birds, Temple Run.
Most-searched games: CrossFire, The Sims 4, ArcheAge, Assault Fire, Dota 2, Helmet Heroes, Clash of Clans, Pokemon Deluge, Pokémon Emerald, NBA 2K15.
Most-searched athletes: McKayla Maroney, Hope Solo, Jimmy Alapag, Luis Scola, Gabe Norwood, Oscar Pistorius, June Mar Fajardo, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., José Juan Barea, Terrence Romeo.
Most-searched events: “The Naked Truth,” 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, 2014 Asian Games, Mayweather vs. Maidana, UAAP Cheerdance Competition, 2014 US Open, Dutdutan 2014, Christmas, Miss Universe 2014, UAAP Season 77.