In lieu of firecrackers, we're ending the year by highlighting the explosive encounters of 2011. They range from the hilarious to the downright horrifying. Here's hoping there will be less clashes and just a lot of good vibes in 2012. (Now, now...don't get us started on that "end of the world" business.)
10. LITO LAPID vs. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Conflict area: In September, the actor-turned-senator revealed that he felt intimidated by the English language when he explained why he could join debates about the Reproductive Health Bill.
Fighting words: Lapid effectively used the "poor me" tactic when he said, "Wala akong magagawa kung ipinanganak ako na mahirap, anak ng labandera, eh. Hindi ako nakapag-aral dahil sa kahirapan. Ewan ko ang ibang tao, baka nag-aral sila, baka naiinsulto pag ganon na hindi sila natapos. Eh ako, tinanggap ko talagang ganito. Anak lang ako ng labandera (I can't do anything if I was born poor, the son of a laundrywoman. I wasn't able to go to school due to poverty. I don't know about some people, maybe they feel insulted if they're in that state. I accepted my lot in life)." Yes, he conveniently left out the part where he earned a lot of money from his action films and could have used that to either go to school or hire some tutors.
Smackdown outcome: Lapid won this fight, as he successfully turned the fact that he's not the sharpest tool in the shed to yet another "rich vs. poor" clash. Talk about avoiding the real issue by bringing up another no-win situation. In any case, this "war" will go on for a very long time.
9. SIGRID ANDREA P. BERNARDO vs. CHIC-BOY
Conflict area: Customer Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo claimed that she found what appeared to be a dead caterpillar mixed with the Ginisang Kangkong that she ordered at the restaurant's Timog Avenue branch. The so-called "caterpillar incident" happened on November 21, 2011. By December, Bernardo's "A Break-Up Letter from an Upset Customer" (along with photos of the Ginisang Kangkong) had gone viral.
Fighting words: An incensed Bernardo reportedly told the Chic-Boy staff, "Akin na ang kangkong na may bulate (Give me the kangkong with the big worm)!" She made the demand after the staff allegedly got rid of the "evidence." Calling a spade a spade (substitute with the appropriate noun in this case) always translates to a direct hit.
Smackdown outcome: Chic-Boy management wants to charge Bernardo with libel, alleging that she was let loose by a competitor. There's no clear winner in this smackdown yet—although that "break-up letter" sure packed quite a media wallop. We may be looking at months or years in court.
