As the year is about to come to a close, let’s take a look at what everyone has been talking about this year, based on the most searched items on Google. Here are the top trends, news, personalities, shows, and events that topped Filipinos’ search queries this 2019 (about 90% of which, I had absolutely no idea about).
Top Trends + News
On the overall searches of the year, free online chat site Omegle lands the top spot. It became popular as a virtual hangout where people make friends, pull off fun pranks, and even discuss topics of interest or fandoms. K-pop fans were also treated to a surprise in Omegle this year as the girls of BLACKPINK revealed themselves in the chat app, making headlines in blogs and social networking sites. Some YouTube creators also use Omegle to develop entertaining reaction content on their channels.
Gaming site MemoryHackers made a return to the list as the second top trending item. It is followed by Codashop, every gamer’s go-to website for game credits and vouchers. Completing the list are searches on the most talked about events such as the Halalan 2019, Idol Philippines grand finals, and the boxing match between Pacquiao and Broner.
The trending topics for news reflect how Filipinos aimed to be more informed citizens as based on top search queries. The May senatorial elections landed the number one spot for the news category. Meanwhile, results for national exams such as the Licensure Examination, Civil Service Commission, and Bar Exam claimed three spots in the list.
People and Personalities
Superwomen made it to this year’s list of top trending female personalities, with the next generation Darna actress Jane De Leon leading the pack, followed by queens Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Rising Pinoy pop group SB19, who trained under a Korean entertainment company, topped the list of trending male personalities.
We also remember the losses of great people this year like veteran actor Eddie Garcia, environmentalist and DENR secretary Gina Lopez, as well as businessman Henry Sy, among others.
Sports and Events
Photo credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Annual sports competitions and basketball teams took up most of the spots in the events category. NBA, Wimbledon, and FIBA all placed high, while the match between Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors entered the list. Esports event, The International 2019 (TI9), also joined the events category.
Movies and TV
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame—the closing movie of MCU’s phase threes—placed as this year’s top trending film. It is the most anticipated superhero movie of the year which broke global box office records on its opening weekend. Star Cinema’s Hello, Love, Goodbye is the only local film in the list, claiming the second spot. Local series dominated the TV shows category, with singing competition Idol Philippines placing number one.
OPM led the most searched music genre searched this year, owning 8 of the 10 spots in the songs and lyrics category.
Music
There’s a whole lot of OPM on the music lyrics search, like Moira de la Torre and Jason Hernandez’s Ikaw at Ako, Michael Dutchi Libranda’s Binalewala, This Band’s Kahit Ayaw Mo Na, Juan Karlos Labajo’s Buwan, Skusta Clee’s Zebbiana, and Join the Club’s Nobela. On the top spot is Maroon 5’s Memories.
Dogs and DIY
This year is also big for how-to articles and videos as many Pinoys relied on Search to discover and learn new things. Topping the list is how to access dark mode on mobile, which can save battery life and is said to reduce eye strain. Other results included lessons on Korean language, as well as tutorials on making beef steak and milk tea. Searches on dog breeds included bulldog, golden retriever, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
