IN A few days, we will be bidding goodbye to 2012 and welcoming 2013.
As many of us do in our personal life, The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America also looks back to the big stories of the year that is about to end through our Yearender Special.
One of the favorite segments of this annual special is the Balitang America Newsmaker of the Year. Through this segment, viewers get to vote for the person who has made a big impact in the news, got our communities engaged in public discussions, and affected the lives of the Filipinos in America in so many ways.
For this year, the following are the finalists, selected by Balitang America’s editorial board. Who will you vote for?
Barack Obama
After a down-to-the-wire battle that had Americans on the edge of their seats, Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th president of the United States of America won a second term in office. His first four years in the White House were mired with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and extreme polarization in the political front. Notwithstanding the fact that he was catapulted to power in 2008 with a solid majority that rode on his promise of hope and change. Still, in his recent victory speech he promised America “that the best is yet to come.”
Mitt Romney
The venture capitalist-turned-politician had been described as the man who had it all: a vast personal fortune, a career that landed him the title of CEO and a stint in public office. Nowadays however, Willard Mitt Romney is humbled by the loud thumping that ended his long pursuit of the presidency, when Obama defeated him. During the final days of the campaign, the roaring crowds and the neck-and-neck polls had his supporters believe that he had a good shot of beating incumbent Barack Obama. On hindsight, his critics contend that his greatest strength — the ability to build a consensus — is also his greatest weakness, as he can change his stand on anything, in a bid to please everyone.
Jessica Sanchez
Hers was a voice that united a nation halfway across the globe. When America got to know the voice behind the 17-year old girl from Chula Vista, California, they also learned about her heritage. All over the world, fellow Filipinos followed her weekly pursuit to become the next American Idol. After winning second place on the 11th season of the competitive singing show, doors opened in Hollywood for the demure Filipina. She has a new album, an upcoming stint on the hit show, Glee, and performed at the Democratic National Convention.
Nonito Donaire, Jr.
With three impressive victories in 2012, and a fourth fight scheduled for mid-December, boxing experts have The Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire Jr. as the leading candidate for the 2012 Fighter of the Year. Despite fighting throughout the year with an injured hand, Donaire collected two more world titles, and even did a Visayan movie with Gloria Romero.
Manny Pacquiao
The Philippines’ Boxing Icon gained a new found faith in religion. However, he lost a controversial fight to American boxer, Timothy Bradley. The fighting congressman is looking to bounce back on December 8th with his 4th match against Mexican rival, Juan Manuel Marquez.
Jose Vargas
The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, who recently revealed that his undocumented, continues to advocate for the DREAM Act. As President Obama granted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, age restrictions kept Vargas from availing of the relief. He was arrested for driving without a license in October, but was immediately released.
Dolphy Quizon
The Philippines King of Comedy passed away in July at 83, due to pneumonia. His death sparked memorials around the world and inspired a national day of mourning, but it also re-ignited the controversy regarding his omission from the National Artist Award.
Whitney Houston
She was “The Voice” who’s sound has finally taken her final rest. The once best-selling recording artist, actress, producer, and model passed away on February 11, 2012. Her body was found lifeless in her Beverly Hills Hilton hotel room, two days after the singer’s last performance. Her autopsy revealed her death was due to drowning and the effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use.
Raymond Martin
He is the Filipino-American athlete, who won four gold medals in wheelchair track at the London Paralympics and was named as the Paralympic SportsMan of the Year by the US Olympic Committee. Born with a disorder known as arthrogyrposis (a congenital joint deformity that restricts his movement) sports analysts are now comparing Martin to whom many consider as the greatest Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps.
Japeth Aguilar
He took a step closer to his dream when he became the first Filipino to make it to the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the prestigious basketball organization. The 6-foot 9-inch player is now part of the Santa Cruz Warriors, an affiliate team of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
To vote, go to our website at www.balitangamerica.tv.
Results will be announced during the broadcast of Balitang America’s Yearender Special on December 31.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
