TOP 10 NEWSMAKERS OF 2009

1. HAYDEN KHO – Earlier this year, Dr. Hayden Kho was the topic of all headlines after his sex videos leaked on the internet. The news lingered as his controversial sex videos with Katrina Halili, Maricar Reyes and a Brazilian model circulated one by one from various porn sites to pirated DVD vendors. His saga continued the whole year round from revocation of his medical license, from getting splashed with water by an ex-cop during the Senate hearing to rumors that he committed suicide. There is no doubt that Hayden is our no. 1 newsmaker of 2009!

2. MANNY PACQUIAO – Our Pambansang Kamao made history after he became the first boxer in world to win 7 world titles in 7 different weight divisions. His winning bouts against Hatton last May and against Cotto last November were sensational. Pacquiao has been included by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people for the year 2009, for his exploits in boxing and his influence among the Filipino people. Pacquiao was also included by Forbes Magazine in its annual Celebrity 100 list for the year 2009. Pacquiao had also won the 2009 ESPY Awards for the Best Fighter category. And to cap a great year for Pacman was the controversy about his alleged love affair with Wapakman co-star Krista Ranillo.

3. FORMER PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO – After the former president succumbed to colon cancer last August 1, 2009, the whole country mourned and other nations commemorated her contribution in democracy. There were even petitions to elevate her as national hero and even a saint. Her son Noynoy was then urged to run for President to continue the “people power” legacy.

4. KATRINA HALILI and MARICAR REYES (tie) – Katrina and Maricar were the two identified women involved in the Hayden Kho Sex Video scandal. The two had different ways in dealing with the controversy. As Katrina was all out to fight Hayden, Vicki Belo and the distributors of the DVD, Maricar chose to be silent and concentrated more on her flourishing showbiz career. Nevertheless, both Katrina and Maricar made various headlines and their names were prominent in the search engine “Google” for the whole year.

5. KORINA SANCHEZ AND MAR ROXAS – Their wedding last October 27, 2009 was dubbed as the marriage of politics and media. Even the tiniest detail of this event has been captured by the press as people are following the political plans of Mar and the transformation of Korina from a fierce broadcaster to a submissive wife.

6. EFREN PEÑAFLORIDA – His winning CNN Hero of the Year was a pleasant gift for the country who just suffered the Ondoy blow. Filipinos around the world celebrated this notable achievement and many were inspired to do advocacy works.

7. CARLO J. CAPARAS – To be or not to be a national artist became a dilemma to this film director whose graphic novels are being adapted on television and movies. Among the national artists awardee this year, Caparas received the most objections from critics. Even former national artist awardees staged a “necrological service” for the death of such honor because of him.

8. BRILLIANTE MENDOZA – He made everyone proud after winning Best Director in the most prestigious international film festival in the world – the Cannes International Film Festival. His work for the film Kinatay earned him accolades in the international film industry most specially when he bested Oscar winners like Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) and Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, Brokeback Mountain).

9. JUDY ANN SANTOS AND RYAN AGONCILLO – Their “secret wedding” in San Juan Batangas last April 28 surprised everyone. Media catched up afterwards on the how’s and the why’s in what supposed to be the wedding of the year.

10. WILLIE REVILLAME – This list will not be complete without the controversy-magnet noontime show host. Dubbed as the most powerful local celebrity and perhaps the richest (even richer than Manny Pacquiao?), Willie made it to the headlines once again as expected when he ordered his staff on noontime show Wowowee to remove the video clips of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s funeral cortege playing on the screen while he’s hosting his show. He took an indefinite leave after that and returned. There were also speculations about him running for public office but later announced that he won’t pursue the plan for now. The latest incident concerning the Megastar re-sparked the boycott petition against him and there were even rumors that it could lead to ABS-CBN’s drastic move to replace him with Vhong Navarro.

Pasko na! This is just the most-awaited time of the year. Everyone is in the mood for parties and celebrations. But before you put on that party dress, make sure that you are also fully loaded with the latest chismis. To cap off this year, The Buzz Magasin has the exclusive stories that you are dying to know about in full details.

At last, sila na at forever pa! The long wait is finally over. Sen. Mar and Korina exchanged their heartfelt “I do’s” last October 27. Get a glimpse of the never-been-seen photos during the wedding and their honeymoon that will make you kilig.

At last, Angel Locsin breaks her silence about her hush-hush breakup with Luis Manzano four months ago and are actually not speaking terms. Is she ready to fall in love again? On the same boat, Gab Valenciano and Rachael Ann Go ended their one-year-old relationship. Find out how the ex-lovers ended up toward splitsville.

At last, we unravel the Richard Gutierrez and Jewel Mische’s love story that bloomed over innocent coffee breaks when they teamed up for a previous fantaserye. Get an inside scoop of their quiet relationship. Who is this couple that calls each other Yummy and Baby girl? Are they also talking about marriage?

Another breaking news that you should not miss: Ecxlusive! Wedding photos of Igi Boy Muhlach, the upcoming reunion movie of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo; why is the Kimerald love team having pressure for 2010? And read Tito Boy Abunda’s secret road to success.

Plus! Bonggang feature of Annabelle Rama’s birthday celebration, the making of Hindi Ka Nag-iisa music video, Kian Kazemi’s new trip and the 2010 bonggang teleserye lineup revealed in celebration of ABS-CBN’s 60 years of being home to the best Pinoy teleseryes!

As you do your Christmas shopping, don’t forget to buy The Buzz Magasin’s December 2009. It will not only be a stress-free Christmas but a sumptuous one when you find out the latest buzz in showbizlandia.

The wedding, dubbed as the union of media and politics, was witnessed by 3,000 people.

Mar’s 16-year old son Paolo Zaldarriaga served as his best man, while Dang Cecilio-Palance was the matron of honor for Korina. Baby James, Kris Aquino’s son, served as ring bearer, while Matthew Garcia, Dyan Castillejo’s son, served as Bible bearer.

The principal sponsors included Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (replacing her late mother, former President Corazon Aquino), Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, former Senate President Jovito Salonga, ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Roxas’ uncle Jorge Araneta, broadcast journalist Cheche Lazaro, Philippine National Red Cross governor Rosa Rosal, Korina’s late mother’s bestfriend Helen CostalesRuby Roxas and Maria Fores.

Among those invited were former President Joseph Estrada, fashion designer Pitoy Moreno, bowling champion Paeng Nepomuceno, top composer Vehnee Saturno, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, former Senator Letty Ramos Shahani, former socioeconomic planning secretary Ralph Recto, Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde, US Ambassador Kristie Anne Kenney, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, broadcasters Bernadette Sembrano, Ted Failon, Julius and Christine Babao, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Lopez family patriarch Oscar Lopez, and Ayala Corp.’s Fernando Zobel.

The wedding was supposed to be held at the Araneta Coliseum but the power couple decided to make it simple and donate part of the P3-million budget to typhoon Ondoy’s victims.

Image courtesy of Showbiz News Ngayon.