2011: A Year in Review
by Kevin R. Calderon, Justine N. Dinglasan, Angie V. Garcia, Pia H. Posadas on December 28, 2011
2011 saw the domino effect of uprisings, the rapid rise of social media (and troll faces) and the death of a beloved visionary, to name a few. Before we cue in apocalyptic music for 2012, let’s take a look at the highlights, lowlights and the in-betweens that 2011 had given us.
Part 1: Headliners of 2011
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Uprisings and revolutions: a domino effect
The world’s rebel yell was heard loud and clear, as protestors found a new kind of stage—social media. Millions united together and civil unrest broke, that eventually ousted the regime of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in February 11. Thanks to the Egypt Revolution, the call for six dictators to step down echoed throughout the Arab Spring, while social dissatisfaction prompted the London Riots and the Occupy phenomenon.
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Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
An 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last March brought utter devastation upon our Asian neighbor. The nation’s economy plummeted to a deep low, as cities were destroyed and more than 18,000 lives were lost. The resilience of the citizens and international support through aid and online campaigns, however, helped get Japan back on its steady feet.
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The Royal Wedding
On April 28, millions around the world were glued to their TV screens as they watched the modern day fairytale wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey. It didn’t matter that the wedding itself was an exclusive affair—the whole world bore witness to the beginning of a new era for the British monarchy.
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Killing of Osama bin Laden
Al-Qaeda founder and leader Osama bin Laden met his death through the bullet of an American gun last May. As the mastermind behind 9/11 and other terrorist attacks, bin Laden’s death brought vindication to the US and relief to the international community.
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The magical saga that spawned seven books, eight movies and legions of highly loyal fans finally came to a close last July. Potterheads all over the world bid farewell to The Boy Who Lived, as they witnessed his climactic battle with Lord Voldemort onscreen. Although it may be difficult to believe that the story that has captivated the imaginations of so many has officially ended, it isn’t much of a goodbye—the magic will always live on.
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NBA Lockout
2011 was not a good year for basketball fanatics. Thanks to the NBA’s failure to reach a collective bargaining agreement, what fans got was a series of cancelled pre-season games. An agreement was eventually made in early December, officially ending the six-month lockout. Meanwhile, a rare opportunity graced our diehard basketball-loving country, as the NBA All-Star team (Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant, among others) played against the Smart Gilas and a PBA all-stars team last July.
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Pedring and Quiel
On September, a torrential downpour of heavy rain and strong winds plagued several regions of the Philippines. It was the nation’s worst twin typhoons this year, displacing thousands and leaving billions of pesos in property damages.
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Death of Steve Jobs
2011 saw the untimely death of a modern day genius. Steve Jobs, the man behind Apple, succumbed to an eight-year-long battle with colon cancer last October. A visionary and an artist, Steve Jobs’ legacy was more than just Apple products—he revealed the true greatness of simply thinking differently.
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Seven billionth baby born in the Philippines
Danica May Camacho has been recognized by the United Nations as the world’s symbolic “seven billionth” baby. She was expected to arrive at exactly midnight on October 31—the date estimated when the globe’s population would reach seven billion—but was delivered two minutes early.
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Pacquiao vs. Marquez Part III
Third time’s an infamous charm for Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, as Pinoys saw in his third match with Mexican rival Juan Manual Marquez. The close fight was a highly controversial one, with the outcome triggering debate and accusations of corruption over the rightful winner, as Pacquiao was named the victor by a mere two points.
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Robin Lim
Another year, another CNN Hero with Filipino roots. Filipino-American midwife Robin Lim has been honored for her work in Bali, where she provides prenatal care, birthing services and medical aid to impoverished women.
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Sendong
Many did not foresee the intense destruction that tropical storm Sendong had left, which resulted into death tolls that surpassed Ondoy’s fatality count and left more than 300,000 homeless. Flash floods and heavy rains hit Northern Mindanao in a single weekend, with cities Cagayan de Oro and Iligan being the worst affected areas. President Aquino declared a national state of calamity as disaster relief and evacuation efforts came to rescue.
Although Filipinos are accustomed to the tempestuous nature of the rainy season, Sendong highlighted how little had changed since Ondoy, and how we are truly at the mercy of nature’s wrath.
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Death of Kim Jong-il
The North Korean dictator passed away from a heart attack while on a domestic train trip. He is the successor of his grandfather Kim II-sung—founder of the Communist regime—who died in 1994. The official North Korean media organ, the Korean Central News Agency, has declared that his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, is next in line to rule the reclusive Korean state.
