"Heat wave" tops Google Philippines’ trending searches of 2024

Metro Manila, Philippines – The year 2024 saw Filipinos turning to Google to navigate both pressing issues and pop culture phenomena. Google Philippines has unveiled its annual Year in Search, revealing the top trending topics that captured the nation’s attention.

The top overall trending search term of the year was “heat wave,” reflecting widespread concerns about the record-breaking high temperatures experienced in April. The heat waves, which caused water shortages, crop losses, and school closures, also contributed to seven heat-related deaths reported from January to April, according to the Department of Health. The term also dominated the News category, emphasizing its impact on daily life.

“Filipinos continue to rely on Google Search to stay updated on current events, with six out of the top 10 overall search terms related to news,” Google Philippines stated.

Among other notable entries, Filipino gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo emerged as a trending topic in multiple categories, including overall searches, news, sports, and male personalities. His victory at the Paris Olympics solidified his position as a national icon.

In entertainment, K-drama Queen of Tears topped searches for shows, illustrating the continued popularity of Korean series among Filipino viewers. Meanwhile, Inside Out 2 led the Movies category, and Sining by Dionela captured the top spot for Songs or Lyrics.

Celebrity culture remained a key focus for Filipinos, with veteran actress Jaclyn Jose landing at #2 in overall searches following her passing, and the Nation’s Girl Group BINI topping searches for female personalities after their 2024 breakthrough.

Google’s full list also showcased the nation’s curiosity about artificial intelligence, with terms like AI detector and ChatGPT among the top AI-related searches.

The Year in Search results highlight a dynamic year shaped by extreme weather, global achievements, and the evolving interests of Filipinos.