And now, for the achievements of Pinoys truly worth celebrating, SPOT.ph compiled the top 25 worthy of our accolades. (In no particular order):
1. Manny Pacquiao breaks a boxing world-record.
With seven title belts in seven divisions, the People's Champ made history, and Filipinos all over the world proud. This year alone, he fought two contemporary boxing icons, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, and came out victorious. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for his less-than perfect personal life.
2. Marvin Sonsona becomes the first ever Pinoy boxing champ in Canada.
At just 19 years old, Sonsona proved he could slug it out against any veteran, forcing his opponent Jose Lopez against the ropes. His victory by unanimous decision made him the World's Junior Bantamweight Champion. Already pegged as Pacquiao's most likely successor, Sonsona's glory was regrettably short-lived as he lost his title in a draw, which critics say was due to his poor training ethic.
3. Nonito Donaire ranks sixth in The Ring's Pound for Pound Champions.
Donaire was given the spot in the top 10 after his WBA Super Flyweight title-win against Rafael Concepcion in August. With an already impressive professional record under his belt, this Filipino-American champ said in an interview with ESPN that he continues to fight "to give honor to [his] country."
4. Pepe Diokno wins two awards at the Venice Film Festival.
This 22-year-old auteur proved that if you have a good story to tell, people will pay attention. Diokno broke the norm by picking themes and styles not often used in local cinema. He was the youngest person to ever get a Cinemalaya grant and yet he still managed to outdo his veteran counterparts when the foreign award-giving body recognized Engkwentro–the little indie film that could.
5. Eugene Domingo breaks indie box-office records.
Often cast as the second-fiddle to popular comedians in mainstream flicks, Domingo showed that sheer talent and a closet-ful of outlandish designer clothes can make you rise to the top. Her independent project, Kimmy Dora (Kambal sa Kiyeme), exceeded expectations and became one of this year's most-loved, top-grossing comedies.
I could've been a fan of Eat Bulaga less Joey de Leon but I proudly salute their endeavor that provided scholarships and life's necessities to truly deserving but less fortunate young people and their families. By the way, Happy 30th Anniversary to you guys and more power, more good deeds!
I salute Sass Rogando Sasot. What a powerful speech.
The story of Muelmar Magallanes brings tears to my eyes whenever I read about it. He gave the biggest sacrifice anyone could offer. No award or recognition will ever be able to honor him.
Edit: No award or recognition will ever be able to honor him enough.
including sonsona in the list was lame. Should instead give the space to raya martin.
To the Spot.ph team: Thank you for recognizing my presentation at the UN Headquarters in New York on December 10, 2009. I understand that being included in this list is beyond recognizing "my achievement" and more of honoring the courage of transgender people everywhere in the world to live their lives according to the beating of their hearts and to be able to speak their truth wherever they may be - including the UN. However, I cannot avoid feeling a little disheartened because this display of courage and being true to our hearts is currently legally considered as "immoral" and "threat to the youth" in our country. After my speech, a staff of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN congratulated me for delivering this speech. It was a pleasant surprise as our country didn't sign the "UN statement on sexual orientation and gender identity". A European diplomat once told me the reason why this is so: Our country supports the statement in principle BUT our government is just afraid of the Catholic Church. Well, I hope that the statement read by the Holy See in this same event is enough encouragement for our country to sign this statement. But more than seeing our country sign this statement, I hope to live in a world where people's interaction with transgender people is no longer peppered with condemnation, hate, and disgust but enriched with compassion, understanding, and acceptance. Once again, thank you Spot.ph! Respectfully, Sass Rogando Sasot
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