AlDub, Pope Francis tops Google searches in the Philippines

Google revealed its annual list of the top trending searches in the Philippines, naming personalities, events, and pressing issues. “Year in Search” gives a glimpse of the moments that Filipinos laughed, cried, and gushed about in 2015, as reflected by their search activities on Google.Topping the list is AlDub, the Internet-breaking love team that got millions of Filipinos following the tandem and tuning in to noontime show Eat Bulaga’s Kalyeserye. The ongoing segment follows the love story of actor Alden Richards and Dubsmash Queen Maine Mendoza a.k.a Yaya Dub and the many obstacles that they encounter, making their team-up more exciting.The AlDub phenomenon took over the Philippines and the curiosity of the world, propelling Maine to the third spot of the top trending searches. Inevitably, she is also named top trending female personality while Alden is the second top trending male personality, next to Pope Francis.Early this 2015, millions of Catholic Filipinos gathered to celebrate the Papal Visit, this year’s top trending news. For four days, Pope Francis unified the Filipino Catholic community through series of events that drew him closer to the Filipino faithful.Another milestone, the Philippines hosting the APEC Summit is the second top trending search term in both news and event categories of 2015. The summit, one of the most important gatherings of economic leaders, put the Philippines in the global spotlight. Attendees included United States President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whose boyish good looks captured the Filipinos’ collective fascination landing him in the tenth spot for top trending male personalities.On November 13, the whole world was shaken by a series of terrorist attacks in Paris, with the death toll hitting more than a hundred innocent lives. Millions of people worldwide, including Filipinos, expressed their grief, making it the top three trending news. The militant group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), who later claimed responsibility for the attack, lands on the fourth spot.Filipinos also continued to show their love for different sports with six out of ten top trending events revolving mainly around basketball, boxing, and tennis. Leading the list is FIBA Asia 2015 where Gilas Pilipinas bagged silver at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship after a heartbreaking loss to China. Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao once again showed the classic Filipino resilience in a historic encounter with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The event makes it as the sixth top trending news while SEA Games 2015 and NBA Playoffs take the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.When it comes to entertainment –movies, music, and TV shows will always have a place in the heart of  Pinoys. This year’s top trending song is Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud; the top trending movie is Fifty Shades of Grey; and the top trending TV show is ABS-CBN’s Pangako Sa’Yo.“Year in Search is Google’s way of looking back at the meaningful moments that captured the people’s interest throughout the year. Locally, the trending search terms of 2015 are a good reflection of the Filipinos increasing involvement and interest in the things that are happening around them, whether in historic national events or the breakout of a new pop culture icon,” said Gail Tan, Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs.Overall Top Trending Searches in the Philippines:AlDubPope FrancisMaine MendozaFIBA Asia 2015DubsmashAlden RichardsFifty Shades of GreyAPEC SummitParis attacksCOMELEC