BakitWhy.com's Top 9 of 2009

The year 2009 was an eventful year at BakitWhy.com as well as our global Pilipino community. Remarkable milestones occured from the most entertaining of things to the most devastating disasters; It truly was a year to remember. We've compliled the Top 9 of 2009 on BakitWhy.com with posts that really made an impact. As this year comes to an end, let's reflect back and see what it had in store for Pilipinos everywhere.

#9 - Star Trek Character, Hikaru Sulu Is Japanese Pilipino American
by Jeremiah Abraham

Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father? Maybe so, but that's a whole differerent galaxy far, far away from the United Federation of Planets. We're talking Star Trek - the exciting and mostly diplomatic rendition of the future made famous by names like Kirk, Spock, and Picard. But don't forget that guy who actually drove the Starship Enterprise, Hikaru Sulu. You know, the guy played by George Takei and currently, John Cho. Yeah that guy. What's so special about him? Bet you didn't know that he's a Japanese Pilipino American...

http://bakitwhy.com/star-trek-sulu

#8 - Editorial: The Pilipino-American Experience And Being "Pilipino-American"
by Marc Malabanan

Being a Pilipino-American is an experience that is unique to each of us, so it doesn't make sense for us to try to generalize who we are and our culture in a few bullet points. I believe what is common amongst all of us is that, whether we are conscious of it or not, we are rooted in our "homeland" Pilipino culture; how we as individuals integrate that into our American experience is what makes us unique...

http://bakitwhy.com/editorial-pilipino-american-experience

#7 - Who Needs Jollibee?
by Ryne Dionisio

Chicago isn't lacking in small Pilipino restaurants.  However, there's one omission that really wasn't too bothersome for a while since it was only on the West coast; it was understandable.  But with the recent grand opening in New York, the question is raised – when is there going to be a Jollibee in Chicago?  Or…is one even necessary?

http://bakitwhy.com/who-needs-jollibee-chicago

#6 - Michael Jackson's Legacy - A Personal Tribute
by Rhoda Dizon

It wasn’t too long ago (maybe this past March) when I was rummaging around my room, listening to Michael Jackson Number Ones for motivation to actually clean. The song “Man in the Mirror” is always motivation to make some kind of change, even if it’s as miniscule as in the organization of your bedroom. This is the same Michael Jackson CD my mother took hostage in her Mazda mini van when I let her “borrow” it once. When I demanded for it back, she didn’t really respond to my question with a definite answer. She calmly and sincerely replied that every song was “maganda,” (which means beautiful in Tagalog). Of course, that was reason enough not to hassle her.  News of his recent death was surreal for me...

http://bakitwhy.com/michael-jackson-personal-tribute

#5 - But - I'm Not Chinese (Are Pilipinos Really Asian?)
by Jonathan Hernandez

“But…I’m not Chinese…” – Dante Basco in The Debut

Ok, so maybe that quote won’t make it to the top 100 most memorable movie quotes of all time anytime soon (heck, this is probably the first time it’s ever made it onto any website for...anything), and maybe it’s not an experience that every Pilipino shares, but being mis-Asian-ized by others is quite a typical occurrence for a people whose ethnicity has always been defined (or undefined) by its mixed-ness. If you’re like me and sport a relatively pale complexion, were born to a nanay (mother) that looks like the Pilipino version of China, and hold a large percentage of Chinese blood in your heritage– then you probably know well the confused looks of people who see your face, see your Hispanic last name, yet sadly fail to see that you are, in fact... just Pilipino...

http://bakitwhy.com/are-pilipinos-asian

#4 - MTV's America's Best Dance Crew Season 3
by Rina D.

MTV's America's Best Dance Crew has returned for its third season featuring dance crews from across the nation, and this time around, MTV has managed to find some groups with dance styles and personalities we haven't seen before.  The first 2 seasons' winners, Jabbawockeez and Supercr3w, have set the bar high for these up and coming teams.  Riding out their success on the show, the Jabbawockeez and Supercr3w continue to be propelled onto the national and international spotlights.  In hopes to follow in their footsteps, 8 groups battled it out onstage this week to vie for the title of America's best.  Once again, this season, the presence of Pilipino Americans and Asian Americans remains strong.  BakitWhy.com was able to chat with some of the groups including Quest, Team Millenia, Boxcuttuhz--this week's eliminated team, and the Beat Freaks...

http://bakitwhy.com/abdc-season-3-interviews

#3 - Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino (1933-2009) Has Died
by Catherine Manabat

Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino died August 1, 2009. 3:18 a.m. (GMT) after battling colon cancer for over a year. She was 76.

Aquino is hailed as the leader of the People Power movement that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos out of power in 1986. She stealthily took the reins of the revolution after her husband, Benigno Aquino, was assassinated in 1983, having just returned from exile. She took the streets accusing Marcos of murder and led protestors against the Marcos regime...

http://bakitwhy.com/corazon-aquino-death

#2 - Pacquiao Dominates Hatton In 2-Round Knockout
by Jeremiah Abraham

Manny Pacquiao dominated the ring on Saturday, May 2. The much anticipated match between Pacman and the Hitman enticed roars from fans heard all over the world. Punch after punch, the Pilipino Champion left Ricky "Hitman" Hatton almost unconscious after a mere 2-Round knockout. Pacquiao stunned his opponent with fierce jabs aimed with hefty precision, which cemented his claim as the best pound-for-pound boxer...

http://bakitwhy.com/pacquiao-hatton-victory

#1 - Massive Typhoon Hits The Philippines

Heavy monsoon rains have left at least 60 people dead and forced more than 74,000 to flee flooding in the northern Philippines, the government's disaster agency said Saturday.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said the deaths occurred Wednesday through Friday after widespread flooding and landslides on the main island of Luzon.

Landslides killed two children in Laguna province south of Manila and three security guards of a mining company in Zambales province west of the capital, the disaster council said. Six others drowned in raging floodwaters -- one in Ilocos Sur province, three in Pampanga, one in Bulacan and one in Zambales...

http://bakitwhy.com/massive-typhoon-hits-philippines

Stay tuned on BakitWhy.com in 2010 for more exclusive content, community events, and awesome things just for you. We appreciate your continued support.

Have a happy and prosperous New Year!