Top 10 News and Events of 2010
Celebrity breakups, natural disasters, catastrophic human mishaps, jail releases, and lots of war. These are the things that made the year 2010 exciting yet horrific, but have you been paying attention? Here’s a look back at the biggest news this year… so far.
10 – Chilean Miners Rescued after being Trapped Underground for 69 Days
For 69 days, 33 miners in Chile didn’t see the light of day, literally. After the San Jose mine collapsed on August 5, the men were trapped about 700 meters (2,300 feet), and the 69 days they spent down there is the longest anyone has ever been buried underground… and lived.
The miners finally escaped through a meticulously planned rescue mission on October 13. Imagine climbing into a narrow capsule barely wider than your shoulders! One by one, they emerged to the surface and were greeted by joyous reunions, ringing church bells and much jubilation.
So how could they have survived the grueling 69 days? There was actually a small bore hole that sent everything (food, water, supplies, etc.) up and down.
9 – The 2010 Haiti Earthquake
The earthquake that shook Haiti early this year had a shattering magnitude of 7.0. The epicenter was located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Port-au-Prince, which happens to be the country’s capital. You can just imagine how many lives and properties were damaged. Most of Haiti’s infrastructure toppled, over 300,000 were injured, 230,000 people were killed and more than a million were left homeless.
Within hours of the calamity, humanitarian aid started to flood in. Even so, the economically troubled nation still couldn’t prevent riots.
8 – Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Also called the BP spill or the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Deepwater Horizon leak flowed in the Gulf of Mexico for three months.
Before the leak was stopped on July 15, it released approximately 4.9 million barrels (185 million gallons). On September 19, the well was effectively dead, according to the US federal government.
To this day, the spill’s impact continues since the damaged wellhead was capped. Moreover, so much crude and oil has reached shorelines, beaches, estuaries and wetlands, thereby devastating wildlife and marine habitats. The Gulf’s tourism and fishing industries have suffered as well.
7 – Philippine Reproductive Health Bill
The Roman Catholic Church has always been a strong force in the Philippines. However, despite the Church’s opposition, a group of lawmakers continues to try and pass a new reproductive health bill that provides a wider scope.
So what’s so great about this new bill? According to Rep. Edcel Lagman himself (the one who proposed the bill in question) it’s comprehensive and provides financial help to the entire population. The previous bill, on the other hand, says that reproductive health services are delegated to government agencies only.
The health bill has good intentions, really. What’s causing the commotion is the church’s objection to artificial contraception. This issue has been going on for months since news about the said bill broke early this year.
6 – PNoy and Shalani Breakup
The entire Philippines gasped at the thought of President Noynoy Aquino breaking up with Shalani Soledad. While this news started as a rumor, the chismis was finally confirmed in October.
Details about the reason for the breakup still aren’t clear. Rumors say it’s a third party, and it could be the president’s stylist or a certain reporter. One thing’s for sure: our president’s love life is like a continuing saga.
5 – Kris Aquino and James Yap Breakup
TV shows and websites were abuzz with news about basketball star James Yap and TV personality Kris Aquino’s “sudden” separation last June.
The announcement was made by Kris herself on the TV show The Buzz. As for the reason for the split, to put Kris’ explanation simple, it just didn’t work. The two were married for five years and they have one child.
4 – Vizconde Massacre Case Continues
Almost two decades have passed since members of the Vizconde family were murdered. Still, the search for the killers continues. The Vizconde Massacre case was revisited December 14 after the Supreme Court decided to acquit seven convicted personalities, including Hubert Webb, who were imprisoned for 15 years over the case. Seven magistrates voted to release the men due to the failure of proving them guilty. Lauro Vizconde, the surviving family member, said in an interview that he will carry on with his fight for justice.
3 – Biggest Jackpot in Philippine Lotto History Won by 60-Year-Old
This news story made headlines all over the country. On November 29, the P741 million lotto jackpot was finally won, and the winner is a 60-year-old balikbayan who just got back from New York. Before the winner claimed his prize, the whole nation was excited as to who the lucky bettor was. However, it actually took two weeks before the winner realized that he had won the biggest jackpot in Philippine lotto history.
2 – Hostage Crisis at the Quirino Grandstand
One of the most disturbing events that shook the country and the rest of the world, the Quirino Granstand hostage crisis started when a dismissed PNP officer hijacked a tour bus with 21 Hong Kong nationals and four Filipinos on August 23. Rolando Mendoza, the disgruntled former cop, took the tourists hostage to try and get his job back. He wanted a fair trial and a chance to defend himself in exchange for the lives of the hostages.
Live footage of the shoot-out was shown on TV and was watched by millions. After the ordeal, Mendoza and eight of the hostages were killed and nine other passengers were injured. Soon after, Hong Kong issued a black travel advisory on the Philippines.
1 – Noynoy Aquino Wins Presidential Election
The year 2010 has been full of heartbreaks, as well as achievements. Critics were very surprised when it turned out that Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino won, and by a landslide at that.
The Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Benigno Noynoy Aquino III as the new Philippine president on June 9. On June 30, he was sworn into office and officially became our country’s 15th president.
-Gillian Abonitalla-
