10 Buzziest News Headliners of 2023

(SPOT.ph) Trends come and go, but spicy stories that go viral on the Internet? Those stick, especially if we're talking about real people here. 

The age of social media has leveled the playing field, where commoners can easily be catapulted to fame or infamy with a single post. You could be cosplaying as Jesus Christ at a bar or driving a red Kia with a gun in the vehicle, and the next thing you know you're the most hated person in the Philippines.

It's not only the notoriety, either. Making headlines for having talent or good character? It happens just as fast for the people who deserve it.

Here, we present the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2023's newsmakers—all in one list.

10 trending moments that made it to Philippine headlines in 2023

When Alex Gonzaga made her birthday the waiter’s problem

Alex Gonzaga was celebrating her 35th birthday in January when a friend happened to take an Instagram story of her blowing her candles. In it, she makes the haphazard decision to smear the cake on a waiter’s forehead. He was left unsure how to react to what just happened, so the Internet did the (angry) reacting for him.

A few days later, Gonzaga came forward with a public apology to the waiter, Kuya Allan. Her publicist also claimed that Kuya Allan was a “friend,” promising that Gonzaga would never do that to a stranger. They even had him write a letter, complete with his signature, to show that he had forgiven her.

“On my birthday, God taught me a hard and important lesson. Humility, kindness, and better judgment,” Gonzaga tweeted. “To my family, I am sorry for causing you pain and embarrassment. I will rise from this a wiser and better person.”

Also read: Alex Gonzaga Is "Truly Sorry" to Service Worker After Cake-Icing Fiasco

When Zoe Gabriel become the face of Charles & Keith

Filipina teenager Zoe Gabriel took her excitement to TikTok on January 8 when she received her first “luxury” bag—a Double Handle Tote Bag by Charles & Keith that retails for $79.90 in Singapore, a gift from her dad. For this, she got mocked for labeling it luxury, likely because people online can be shallow like that.

Instead of clapping back at haters, she posted a follow up to share her story: “My family didn’t have a lot. We couldn’t buy things as simple as bread from BreadTalk… when we first moved to Singapore… Your comment spoke volumes on how ignorant you seem because of your wealth.” Her mature response impressed the Internet, including Charles & Keith.

The next week, she was invited to have lunch with the founders and tour the headquarters; the next month, she emerged as the brand’s community ambassador—on International Women’s Month, too.

That’s not all: Gabriel was also tapped to create content for AirAsia on the very same platform where she was bashed only a few weeks before in a true rags to riches story. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?

Also read: Remember the Pinay Teen Mocked Over a Charles & Keith Bag? She's Now a Face of the Brand

When Dolly de Leon became the mother of Philippine cinema 

Dolly de Leon has always been considered a local gem, but the world is finally understanding why in 2023. Her supporting role in Triangle of Sadness kickstarted her momentum, for which she made history as the first Filipino to receive  nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and the British Academy Film and Television Awards (BAFTA). 

“It feels good to be validated after so many years. I've been used to just coasting along, taking job after job after job and just going home after work and going to sleep, then going back to work but now this. Parang it's a message from the universe telling me na [I’m] doing the right thing,” de Leon said in an interview with ANC.

Locally, she had a brief role in Dirty Linen before taking on A Very Good Girl with Kathryn Bernardo, which ended up becoming the highest-grossing Filipino movie this year.

She was also the recipient of the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for voicing an Ilocano-speaking character in Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing), which won Best Film and is hoping to become the Philippines’ first official entry to the Oscars.

Also read: Golden Globe and BAFTA Nominee Dolly de Leon Receives Her First Acting Award in the PH

When Pura Luka Vega was blacklisted everywhere

Yassified worship was in no one’s vocabulary…until Pura Luka Vega stepped in the picture to give the greatest performance of their life to a punk remix of the religious hymn “Ama Namin” while dressed up as Jesus Christ on July 10. It wasn’t the first time they used religious imagery and motifs in a performance, but it's one that caught the public’s attention.

The Catholics' rage made a headline, then a hundred. Meanwhile, Pura Luka Vega doubled down on X: “I understand that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable. However, they shouldn’t tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights.”

Since then, over fifteen cities and municipalities have declared them persona non grata, which was enough to bring the Latin diplomacy term to Google’s top searches in the news category for 2023. Aside from the multiple declarations, Pura Luka Vega is also being sued by Catholic church leaders under the Philippines for Jesus Movement.

He was arrested by the Manila Police District for allegedly failing to show up in court in October. Online fundraisers to set him free received more than P500,000 even if his bail was only posted for P72,000.

Also read: Drag Queen Pura Luka Vega Is Facing Charges for ”Ama Namin” Performance

When Wilfredo Gonzales became the poster boy for road rage

The award for mother of all road rage incidents is given to Wilfredo Gonzales, the driver who pulled a gun out during a heated confrontation with a cyclist in August. What fanned the flames even further was that Gonzales was found to be a retired police officer, who was then granted the privilege of having a press conference hosted by none other than the Quezon City Police District.

The two parties allegedly settled the issue on the same day of the incident while they were at the police station, with Gonzales telling the cyclist to pay him P500 for the damage to his vehicle. To the public, he had this to say:

“Ang paki-usap ko po sana… Sana ‘yung mga bloggers maging responsible sila. Hindi nila alam ang puno’t dulo, marami agad magcocomment. Hindi naman nila nakita ‘yung tunay na nangyari, ‘yung umpisa,” Gonzales said. “Kawawa naman mga anak ko, mga kapamilya ko. Parang ang sama-sama kong tao. Hindi naman mangyayari ‘yun kung hindi lang ako dumipensa lang din.”

Later, it was found that Gonzales was dismissed from service over a similar offense in 2017, according to the Philippine National Police. His driver’s license has been revoked for two years, while his firearms were confiscated by the Firearms and Explosives Office.

Also read: “Parang Ang Sama-Sama Kong Tao” Driver in Viral Road Rage Incident Says

When Taylor Sheesh took care of the Taylor Swift-shaped hole in our hearts

The Philippines was snubbed by Taylor Swift’s team for The Eras Tour. The wealthier Swifties wasted no time in queuing for multiple concert nights in Singapore and Japan. For the rest of the us masses… What do we do? We make a local drag impersonator famous to fill the void.

Taylor Sheesh brought The Errors Tour across the country, from mall shows in UP Town Center and Mall of Asia to large event grounds in Batangas, Cebu, and Iloilo with crowds of more than 10,000 people. The mania has gotten so big that she has caught the attention of the most recognized publications in the world like Rolling Stone, the Washington Post, and the Guardian.

She told SPOT.ph that touring the Philippines is only the start—and she was right. By November, she has officially gone international with a performance at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore: “Naunahan pa kita @taylorswift13 makapunta sa Singapore.”

When the wig is off, Taylor Sheesh is John Mac Coronel, a call center agent from Rizal who is more than happy to live this double life.

Also read: This Drag Queen Is the Answer to the Taylor Swift Drought in the Philippines

When Slater Young was more out-of-touch than expected

Former PBB housemate Slater Young landed on national headlines twice this year, but not for usual reasons he is celebrated. Both of which were prompted by his own posting, too.

In May, Young faced significant backlash from the online community after he expressed his view that it is "very, very normal" for men in committed relationships to fantasize about women in group chats with friends. This was quite a shock to the public, who has always considered Young as a walking-green-flag husband to content creator Kryz Uy.

“I wish I could take it back. I should have set a better example,” Young said. “I should have called it out na, 'Yes, it happens, but it isn't okay.' We should hold ourselves to a higher standard. I truly, truly do apologize in my heart of hearts.”

Three months later in August, Young unveiled his newest engineering feat, The Rise at Monterrazas in Cebu. The plan was to create a luxury residential condominium inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces. The problem? The site is prone to cause natural catastrophes like landslides and flooding. According to Young, he and his team have gone through around 300 different versions of the project to minimize the environmental impact, but having a little greenery to make up for ruining an entire mountainside is barely a fair exchange.

Also read: Slater Young, Group Chats, and Objectifying Women: A Short History

When Michelle Dee slayed the Miss Universe

No year-ender list is ever complete without mentioning Philippine bets in Miss Universe. Although Michelle Dee failed to make it to the true Top 5, she was still the talk of the nation—and rightfully so. With a beautiful evening gown like hers? Apo Whang-Od would be proud.

But it wasn't just her struts that got her trending on X. The night of the coronation, Miss Universe El Salvador had mistakenly posted a graphic image of the Top 5 with Dee in it while the competition was still ongoing. It was deleted in a matter of minutes, but not before Filipinos took a screenshot of it. This gave rise to the #DeePaTapos hashtag, where users cried foul over the slip up. 

Either way, Dee is happy to put the country back in the semifinal round with her Top 10 placement. She said in an interview with CNN Philippines: "I was one of the most bashed Miss Universe Philippines after winning. To be able to convert everyone through hard work, blood, sweat, and tears, that's an amazing victory for me." Not to mention, she also won Best in National Costume in her…Transformer-esque outfit? We’re just as confused as you are.

Also read: OPINION: Miss Universe Wanted a 'Transformational Woman.' So Why Didn't It Want Michelle Dee?

When Mali the Elephant left us

Mali the Elephant’s presence at the Manila Zoo has always been marred with controversy, so when the Philippines’ lone elephant finally passed from heart failure in November, it felt like a long time coming. Yes, we know not technically a "real person," but this wild animal's plight has been a spot on Manila's hands for the past few decades. 

Since 2012, PETA has been calling for Mali’s transfer to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand where she can be with her kind. She was named “perhaps one of the world’s saddest elephants” in the campaign. Still, Mali was 43 years old when the Philippines lost her, which is relatively old considering most Asian elephants only live up to 40 years when in captivity. For context, the expected lifespan is up to 70 in the wild.

Plans to replace Mali are underway, with Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna already seeking a replacement elephant from the Sri Lankan government. In the meantime, Mali is currently undergoing taxidermy for her grand return to the Manila Zoo in eight months.

Also read: Manila Wanting a Replacement Elephant for Mali Is Totally Missing the Point

When KathNiel broke up…and the Internet responded accordingly

Few things can put Filipinos in a chokehold: Manny Pacquiao’s boxing matches, Miss Universe, and KathNiel. After an 11-year relationship, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla have officially broken up following months of speculations, which sent everyone and their mothers in a collective spiral in December.

On November 30, both posted on their respective IGs a heartfelt letter to each other and to fans alongside old pictures of them (that is now etched onto every living person’s memory), promising that the love between them is…was real.

“Our love story began with respect and ended with respect,” Bernardo wrote.

The Internet broke apart as soon as they confirmed their breakup. Calls for a national day of mourning swarmed social media platforms. With all the buzz, Bonifacio's birthday might soon go down in history as something else entirely for KathNiel fans.

Also read: It Was KathNiel Who Broke Up. Ba’t Tayo Ang Umiiyak?