The year 2015, as we previously reported, definitely belonged to AlDub for hogging much more space in media, social media as well as public attention. But 2016, was an entirely different ballgame. We had a more diverse showbiz landscape not dominated by a single love team.
As we welcome the New Year, we are listing down the newsmakers of 2016 from the world of show business.
Alden Richards
He had a concert in London in October. It was sold out. Thousands of his Filipino fans flocked to Troxy in Stepney East London to watch the Kapuso star live in the flesh. This concert was just one of the shows Alden staged sans his onscreen partner, Maine Mendoza, whose career (according to some kibitzers) is close to stagnation. But what really made 2016 his biggest year yet? This is the same year when he received a Diamond Record award for his album Wish I May. The album was certified by PARI (Philippine Association of Record Industry) after it sold more than 150,000 physical copies. This recognition put the showbiz golden boy as the biggest recording artist of the year.
Jessy Mendiola
Last summer in Boracay, the 24-year-old Kapamilya star made headlines when a photo of her in a red bikini circulated on the web. In what supposed to be just a fun photo that celebrates her being comfortable in her own skin elicited a barrage of hate comments with trolls calling her fat and her photo deceitful. Two months later, Jessy felt vindicated when FHM, via on online poll, declared her as the sexiest woman in the land after receiving more than half a million votes. But controversy on body shaming didn’t stop there. Her name was then dragged into the Luis Manzano-Angel Locsin split with fans creating social media memes just to call her names.
Star Cinema
Once again, ABS-CBN’s film production arm has proven that it’s the only home of commercially successful films. The production outfit produced a total of 11 films this year and only one of which didn’t breach the P100-million mark in terms of box office receipt. It’s most recent offering, My Super Parental Guardians, is now considered as the biggest film of 2016 after it grossed more than P400 million at the tills. Previous record holder was Barcelona: A Love Untold, which Star Cinema released in September.
Jaclyn Jose
Her “As is, Where is” method of acting, which we learned from Eugene Domingo in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, proved to be a hit at Cannes Film Festival. Her gritty portrayal of a drug-dealing matriarch in Ma’Rosa, an indie film helmed by Brillante Mendoza, helped Jaclyn become the first Filipino to win the Best Actress award in the prestigious film event.
Encantadia
The return of the immensely popular fantasy show on the small screen was one big TV event. On July 18, when the “requel” of Encantadia premiered, two generations of TV viewers were glued in front of their TV sets. The pilot was very successful. It topped the Twitter trending topics, and made competing progrmas, including the one-year-old FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, eat dust. Encantadia posted a 26.1 percent TV ratings, which is the highest primetime premiere in 2016.
Pia Wurtzbach
In a month’s time, the Philippines’ third Miss Universe will relinquish her crown. Now, looking back at her entire year as Miss Universe, Pia was able to prove that she deserved the title. The confidently beautiful with a heart beauty queen has been travelling the world spreading awareness on well-meaning causes including cyber bullying and aids awareness. And because of her being the “best Miss Universe ever,” Pia will still do a lot of work for MUO even after her reign.
James Reid
He is a walking example of a perfect transformation. From a lanky lad when he joined PBB Teens, James sports a muscular physique now that looks desirable in every angle. And this physical change put the 23-year-old Kapamilya star in a league all his own. Apart from being a platinum recording artist, a certified box office actor, James also a sought-after product endorser. He is the top choice of high profile brands making him one if not the top celebrity endorser of the year.
Liza Soberano
It’s hard to argue when people call her the face of 2016 for looking effortlessly beautiful in every angle. In fact, even Pia Wurtzbach admires her beauty. No other local celebrity broke the Internet this year for just looking pretty. Liza did it several times, most memorable of which was her sensational look at the 10th Star Magic Ball in October. In an interview with Manila Standard, Liza said she doesn’t want people to remember her for just being someone with a pretty face. She wants them to see what’s between her ears, too. Little did many people know, Liza is actually a geek.
Pangako Sa ‘Yo
People anticipated the premiere of the Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo-starrer series playing the star-crossed lovers Angelo Buenavista and Yna Macaspac. The series, which ended in February, made history in 2016 for registering the highest rating for a primetime TV show finale. The remake of the classic series posted 27.5 percent ratings according to AGB Neilsen and 44.7 percent according to TNS Kantar. It was the only time that the two ratings provider agreed on something.
German Moreno
A showbiz pillar passed on in 2016 but the Master Showman’s passing was the most talked about when the entire showbiz mourned. Kuya Germs died on Jan. 8 at the age of 82. He was known as a star builder in his youth-oriented show in the 1980s called That’s Entertainment for aspiring actors, dancers, and singers. He also initiated the “Walk of Fame” in Eastwood, Quezon City, which is the local counterpart of the “Walk of Fame” in Hollywood, USA to recognize artists, broadcasters, singers and others who made significant contributions to the showbiz industry.