2010 Event of the Year
I think it is always wrong to say "nothing happens" at a certain moment.
***
The first year of the 2010's is just as eventful as the previous years. Or is it just that events are everywhere? We saw much from politics, sports, arts, the internet, and television. By the way, is there an uneventful year?
Let me name a few of the most notable events of 2010 based on my point of view.
It was an elections year. In Asia alone, around 18 national elections were held. Europe had the most number of general polls held with about 34. Oceania and South America had 6 and 7 polls respectively. Africa had some 23 elections. I find three among all of them noteworthy.
The Philippines elected its 15th President in a field of ten candidates wherein a Former President was included, through an automated polls. Results were known--although not official--in less than a day. Such a very surprising, or shall I say amazing, experience for a country who was very used to snail canvassing which usually declares a winner after more than a month from the election day. And, it was queer that an outgoing President who lost much of the nationwide approval, based on surveys, ran for a seat in the Lower House. A demotion, they said. Well, she eventually won a landslide if I'm not mistaken.
The Philippines elected its 15th President in a field of ten candidates wherein a Former President was included, through an automated polls. Results were known--although not official--in less than a day. Such a very surprising, or shall I say amazing, experience for a country who was very used to snail canvassing which usually declares a winner after more than a month from the election day. And, it was queer that an outgoing President who lost much of the nationwide approval, based on surveys, ran for a seat in the Lower House. A demotion, they said. Well, she eventually won a landslide if I'm not mistaken.
The British Parliamentary Elections in early May also made a buzz across the seven seas. After more or less thirteen years in government, UK's Gordon Brown-led Labour Party was relegated to the opposition side while a coalition government replaced it with Conservative David Cameron as Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister. Such change in the House of Commons did not only mean a change in leadership and British domestic policies but as well as how Great Britain will deal with its relations abroad.
Who wouldn't agree that the Burmese General Elections was an overdue? It was Myanmar's first polls in two decades. The polls was clouded with doubt not just from the country's opposition but as well as from the international community. The United Nations condemned it as fraudulent, along with some western countries. Worthy of mention about this fabled elections was the release of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and her party's refusal to participate in the process.
New leaders were elected everywhere across the globe. They made noise. But world attention was suddenly stolen by an exchange of artillery fires between socialist and democratic Korea. It happened in late November in the South Korean island of Yeongpyeong just adjacent to the two Korea's disputed sea border. The skirmish killed at least two South Korean marines and put a dozen of buildings on fire--enough reason to displace civilians. Seems like we are on the brink of a bigger war. Hope pressures won't build up and peace would remain in the peninsula.
This year, we saw how information has become easily accessible through the internet. The most important point was how our modern age transformed classified information--including military top secrets, government deals, unexpected statements from world leaders, and many others to mention--into public. How? The interantional non-profit organization WikiLeaks has done it all. Their website www.wikileaks.com publishes variety of information media from news sources and leaks. The magnitude of information shared by the website has been enough for it to earn criticism from world governments like the US due to it's potential threat to disturb international relations.
In June, the world danced to the tune of the 2010 FIFA World Cup theme interpreted by the Latin American superstar Shakira--the Waka-waka. It was everywhere. It was viral. Waka-waka eh eh!
It was the first time that the World Cup was held in African soil. South Africa won the honor of hosting the World Cup finals in an all-African selection over Egypt and Morocco in 2004. Preparations included building five new stadiums and upgrade of five which already existed in the country, and rehabilitation and modernization of infrastructures like public transport in host cities.
We saw action between the thirty-two best football teams in the world; with the month long spectacle ending in an all-European finals. The finals showdown was between reigning European champions Spain and two-time World Cup runners-up Netherlands. The finals score was 1-0, and Netherlands was denied of another World Cup for the third time. The Spanish had a heroes welcome at home carrying the much coveted World Cup trophy.
It was the most colorful, noisiest--mention vuvuzelas--and most anticipated event of the year. After all, it is the world's largest sporting event.
The 2010 Event of the Year is the 2010 FIFA World Cup!
***
We only fail to notice.
See also:
2008 Event of the Year
2009 Event of the Year
~~~
Photo Courtesy: www.fifa.com/worldcup
Who wouldn't agree that the Burmese General Elections was an overdue? It was Myanmar's first polls in two decades. The polls was clouded with doubt not just from the country's opposition but as well as from the international community. The United Nations condemned it as fraudulent, along with some western countries. Worthy of mention about this fabled elections was the release of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and her party's refusal to participate in the process.
New leaders were elected everywhere across the globe. They made noise. But world attention was suddenly stolen by an exchange of artillery fires between socialist and democratic Korea. It happened in late November in the South Korean island of Yeongpyeong just adjacent to the two Korea's disputed sea border. The skirmish killed at least two South Korean marines and put a dozen of buildings on fire--enough reason to displace civilians. Seems like we are on the brink of a bigger war. Hope pressures won't build up and peace would remain in the peninsula.
This year, we saw how information has become easily accessible through the internet. The most important point was how our modern age transformed classified information--including military top secrets, government deals, unexpected statements from world leaders, and many others to mention--into public. How? The interantional non-profit organization WikiLeaks has done it all. Their website www.wikileaks.com publishes variety of information media from news sources and leaks. The magnitude of information shared by the website has been enough for it to earn criticism from world governments like the US due to it's potential threat to disturb international relations.
In June, the world danced to the tune of the 2010 FIFA World Cup theme interpreted by the Latin American superstar Shakira--the Waka-waka. It was everywhere. It was viral. Waka-waka eh eh!
It was the first time that the World Cup was held in African soil. South Africa won the honor of hosting the World Cup finals in an all-African selection over Egypt and Morocco in 2004. Preparations included building five new stadiums and upgrade of five which already existed in the country, and rehabilitation and modernization of infrastructures like public transport in host cities.
We saw action between the thirty-two best football teams in the world; with the month long spectacle ending in an all-European finals. The finals showdown was between reigning European champions Spain and two-time World Cup runners-up Netherlands. The finals score was 1-0, and Netherlands was denied of another World Cup for the third time. The Spanish had a heroes welcome at home carrying the much coveted World Cup trophy.
It was the most colorful, noisiest--mention vuvuzelas--and most anticipated event of the year. After all, it is the world's largest sporting event.
The 2010 Event of the Year is the 2010 FIFA World Cup!
***
We only fail to notice.
2010 Event of the Year
2010 FIFA World Cup
South Africa, Africa
See also:
2008 Event of the Year
2009 Event of the Year
~~~
Photo Courtesy: www.fifa.com/worldcup
among the several big yr2010 events that you've included here, i should admit.. i was only able to notice the Philippine 2010 election.. haha!+FIFA World Cup, just becoz you mentioned that to me in one of our conv. :D anywayzz, great job!!!although, sa totoo i can't really relate to some of what you appreciate... :D hindi lang talaga ako updated sa mga happenings na ganyan. pero Bravo! coz not everyone has the eyes and heart to see those BIG things.
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