The year 2024 encapsulated a whirlwind of events that shaped the nation, from triumphant sporting victories and groundbreaking cultural achievements to political upheavals and social controversies.

It saw the rise of new heroes, the fall of powerful figures, and the emergence of unexpected narratives that captivated the nation’s attention.

The DAILY TRIBUNE presents a curated list of 10 personalities and events that defined 2024 and left an indelible mark on the Filipino consciousness.

Any list would not be complete, and, of course, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the leader of the Filipino nation, would be in such a list, except that all the things he has done are, sort of, par for the course.

Carlos Yulo

Carlos “Caloy” Yulo achieved a significant victory at the Paris Olympics, winning two gold medals in gymnastics in August. He won gold in both the men’s floor exercise and vault finals.

Yulo received the Presidential Medal of Merit and was named “Athlete of the Year” by Esquire Magazine. He has received over P100 million in cash and prizes.

VP Sara Duterte

The “Uniteam” alliance between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte fractured in 2024 following public disputes.

The conflict began after House lawmakers investigated alleged misuse of confidential intelligence funds during Duterte’s tenure as Education secretary.

Amid the probe, Duterte released a video on 23 November alleging she ordered an assassination against Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in the event she is killed.

Malacañang responded by referring the threat to the Presidential Security Command. Marcos Jr. publicly condemned Duterte’s “profanity-laced” statements.

The Justice Department considered Duterte the “mastermind” of the alleged plot. Impeachment complaints were subsequently filed against the Vice President.

Sofronio Vasquez III

A former ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ contestant, Vasquez triumphed on the international music scene, winning The Voice USA on 11December.

Vasquez III, of Team Michael Bublé, won by popular vote. He performed “Unstoppable” by Sia and “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman in the finals, becoming the first Filipino artist to win the competition.

Alden and Kathryn Bernardo’s box office hit

Kathryn Bernardo achieved further success after her breakup with Daniel Padilla. Her film “Hello, Love, Again,” co-starring Alden Richards, became the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, earning P1.4 billion.

The film topped box office charts in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates and performed well in several other countries. It was shown in over 1,200 cinemas worldwide.

Apollo Quiboloy’s arrest

Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy also made headlines after the Davao Regional Trial Court issued a warrant for his arrest on 3 April 2024, for sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.

Before his September arrest, KoJC followers barricaded his church in Davao City, using vehicles and heavy equipment. The Justice Department affirmed the strength of the case against Quiboloy, stating that “no one is above the law.”

Secretary Remulla emphasized the severity of the charges, including sexual assault of a minor and human trafficking. Quiboloy is currently incarcerated at the Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

POGO closure

Following the search for Alice Guo, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. further solidified his popularity by declaring a nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations during his State of the Nation Address in June.

He tasked the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation with shutting down POGOs by year’s end. Marcos acknowledged that while this ban would address many issues, it wasn’t a complete solution.

He called for vigilance from government officials, law enforcement and citizens. POGOs have been linked to various criminal activities in the Philippines, including human trafficking, prostitution, and torture. The crackdown continues.

Alice Guo

The arrest of Alice Guo, the suspended mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, garnered significant attention. Guo, allegedly Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, became a fugitive after evading arrest and was apprehended in Indonesia in September.

Senate hearings, initiated by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros, explored Guo’s alleged role as a Chinese spy and her connection to an illegal POGO hub behind Bamban City Hall.

Guo was charged by immigration authorities for “undesirability and misrepresentation” for allegedly fraudulently acquiring Philippine citizenship. She also faces money laundering charges, as well as possible future charges for illegal gambling and human trafficking in Bamban.

U.S. elections

As a close US ally, the Philippines closely followed the 2024 US National Elections, with millions of Filipino-Americans casting votes.

The DAILY TRIBUNE editorialized that the deep economic ties between the two nations, involving billions in trade and investment, could be affected by shifts in US trade policy.

The Philippines’ strategic position and regional involvement make it particularly attentive to US policy regarding China and its impact on regional security and trade.

Depending on the new administration’s approach to China, the Philippines might see increased or decreased US security support, potentially leading to reassessments of defense strategies and possible alliances with other regional partners like Japan, Australia and India.

BINI

The Pinay girl group BINI captivated Filipinos of all ages with their music, achieving significant career milestones in 2024. The group, composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena, saw sold-out concerts and received numerous international accolades.

In November, BINI, known for the hit songs “Salamin, Salamin” and “Pantropiko,” became the first Filipino group to win the “Best Asia Act” award at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Denisse Cornejo/Cedric Lee conviction

Vhong Navarro’s fans celebrated after an Antipolo City court convicted Deniece Millinette Cornejo, Cedric Cua Lee, Ferdinand Guerrero and Simeon Palma Raz Jr., in May for serious illegal detention with ransom.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla hailed the decision as a “beacon of hope for victims of injustice.” Presiding Judge Mariam Bien of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court-Branch 153 found Cornejo and the others guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced them to Reclusion Perpetua.

The court rejected the accused’s defense of a citizen’s arrest after Navarro’s alleged attempted rape of Cornejo.