As the curtains draw on 2023, Google has once again unveiled its highly anticipated "Year in Search" compilation, offering a fascinating snapshot of the Philippines' collective online curiosity. This annual report highlights the top trending keywords and terms that have dominated the search engines throughout the year. Let's delve into the various categories and explore the pulse of what Filipinos were searching for in 2023.
News Trends: A Blend of Local and Global Issues
The News category reflects the significant events and issues that captivated the nation. Topping the list is SIM registration, driven by a new law mandating phone number registration, sparking curiosity among Filipinos about the process. Meanwhile, the Israel-Hamas war secures the fifth spot, emphasizing Filipinos' global awareness.
Here's the full list of top News trends:
- SIM registration
- Precinct finder
- Persona non grata
- Nipah virus
- War in Israel and Gaza
- Lato-lato
- Typhoon Egay update
- Taal Volcano update
- Turkey earthquake
- MoCa Farm
Sports: A Slam Dunk of Excitement
In the sports arena, the Filipinos' love for basketball shines through, with matchups like Lakers vs Warriors and Lakers vs Nuggets dominating the searches. The FIBA World Cup also captured attention, showcasing the nation's diverse sporting interests.
The top Sports searches include:
- Lakers vs Warriors
- Lakers vs Nuggets
- FIBA World Cup
- Miami vs Denver
- Lakers vs Grizzlies
- Suns vs Nuggets
- Celtics vs 76ers
- Heat vs Knicks
- Golden State Warriors vs Kings
- Ginebra vs Bay Area
Shows and Series: Streaming Takes Center Stage
Reflecting the growing trend of online media consumption, streaming platforms play a prominent role in the Shows or Series category. Notable mentions include Duty After School and the locally gripping Maria Clara at Ibarra.
The top Shows or Series searches are:
- Duty After School
- Maria Clara at Ibarra
- Moving
- The Glory
- Twinkling Watermelon
- King the Land
- XO, Kitty
- The Last of Us
- My Lovely Liar
- Strong Girl Nam-soon
Songs and Lyrics: Melodies that Resonated
Musical tastes come to the forefront with searches for songs and lyrics. From the soulful "Say You Won't Let Go" to the catchy "Pasilyo," Filipinos explored a diverse musical landscape.
The top Songs or Lyrics searches include:
- Say You Won't Let Go
- ERE
- Pasilyo
- Uhaw
- Lupang Hinirang English
- Angels Like You
- California King Bed
- Rapstar
- Raining In Manila
- Jopay
Games: Digital Entertainment on the Rise
As online gaming continues to surge, the Games category features searches for codes, quizzes, and popular titles like Minecraft 1.20.
The top Games searches are:
- Blade Ball codes
- Delta Executor
- Soldier, Poet, or King quiz
- Cosmic Values
- Anime Adventures codes
- Farlight
- Choox Sega
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Minecraft 1.20
- Project Slayers codes
Personalities: A Mix of Local and International Stars
The Male and Female Personalities categories showcase a blend of local and international figures who captured the public's imagination in 2023.
Male Personalities:
- Ahn Bo-hyun
- Mackenyu
- Marco Gumabao
- Taylor Lautner
- Travis Kelce
- Liam Hemsworth
- David Licauco
- Kyle Kuzma
- Juan Karlos
- Chen Zhe Yuan
Female Personalities:
- Katy Louise Saunders
- Cristine Reyes
- Millie Bobby Brown
- Lee Da-in
- Issa Pressman
- Janna Dominguez
- Bada Lee
- Jenna Ortega
- Emily Rudd
- Isabel Santos
Movies: Blockbusters and Beyond
The Movies category reveals the cinematic gems that intrigued Filipinos, from Oppenheimer to the action-packed John Wick: Chapter 4.
The top Movies searches are:
- Oppenheimer
- John Wick: Chapter 4
- Barbie
- Insidious: The Red Door
- The Menu
- Extraction 2
- I Love Lizzy
- Evil Dead Rise
- Nowhere
- Kill Boksoon
Farewells: Remembering Notable Figures
The Farewells category pays tribute to personalities who left an indelible mark, with searches spanning from media figures like Mike Enriquez to international icon Tina Turner.
The Farewells searches include:
- Mike Enriquez
- Joey Paras
- Matthew Perry
- Andrei Sison
- Patrick Guzman
- Mario Dumaual
- John Regala
- Michael Gambon
- Park Soo Ryun
- Tina Turner
Korean Series: K-Drama Delights
The Korean Series category underscores the continued popularity of K-dramas among Filipino audiences, with titles like Duty After School and My Lovely Liar making a mark.
The top Korean Series searches are:
- Duty After School
- Moving
- The Glory
- Twinkling Watermelon
- King the Land
- My Lovely Liar
- Strong Girl Nam-soon
- Alchemy of Souls
- Island
- A Time Called You
For the complete Year in Search 2023 list, click here. As we bid farewell to another year, these search trends serve as a captivating reflection of the diverse interests, passions, and curiosities that defined the Filipino online landscape in 2023.