FEATURE | 2025 Wrapped: Dozen Defining Feats

This year has been quite a roller coaster experience with different ups and downs. As the calendar turns again, may the Philippines experience the good side of fate.

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The year 2025 is a notable season that opened many eyes. It is a timeline that made different headlines, released heated tensions, and gave birth to many issues that is still tackled even up to this day. As we get closer to the end of the Earth’s revolution around the sun, let us get back to 12 turning points of the entire 365 days and see what really transpired in the 25th year of the 21st century:

1. No more tricks in Philippine Politics

In February, Sara Duterte became the first Vice President of the Philippines to be impeached, following the House of Representatives’ complaint involving charges of corruption, assassination plots to the President, involvement in extrajudicial killings, and stimulation of public disorder. A month after, in March, her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport for crimes against humanity due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. A testament that justice and accountability are already on its way. 

2. A true medical breakthrough

In April, a team of specialists, led by Dr. Milabelle Lingan from the UST Hospital’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology performed the Philippines’ first successful vocal implant surgery performed on a 60-year-old patient with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. The surgery became a success–restoring the patient’s speech and preventing food or saliva from entering the airway.  

3. Young generation at the midterm election 

Last May, almost 20 million voters aged 18 to 29 played a significant role in the last poll. A huge number, covering almost a third of the electorate cast their votes for the nation’s future. Notably, dark horse candidates like Sen. Bam Aquino and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan topped the list nationwide–as the youth continuously unite in promoting good governance and transparency. 

4. Some of that “Press Freedom”

At June 20, 2025, a court in Pasig City acquitted Maria Ressa, and five Rappler executives for violating the Anti-Dummy Law, a case filed in 2018; ruling the prosecution’s evidence of illegal foreign control over the media as “grossly insufficient”. A breakthrough for Philippine Journalism, a hope that the voice of the oppressed will always be heard; hence, the truth in any case prevails. 

5. Impeachment: Archived, Forgotten?

In August, a vote of 19-4 sealed the deal–the Senate moved to archive the articles of impeachment issued to Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment due to its “unconstitutionality”.

6. Flood Control Probe: Pockets “Pool” of Corruption

In September, the first major hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee took place, grilling numerous personalities about the massive Philippine flood control scandal; questioning them regarding substandard and ghost projects in public infrastructures. 

7. A peaceful battle for corruption

On the third week of September, thousands of Filipinos gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument and Rizal Park to participate in the “Trillion Peso March”, a protest calling for transparency and accountability in the government. 

8. Shaken by nature, united in culture

The last day of September holds a shocking past. Bogo, a city in Cebu was struck by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, causing extensive damage and lives lost. Volunteers and other organizations flocked in the region and reinforced to assist the affected citizens. 

9. Now you “sea” me, now you don’t 

A state of calamity was declared in Bais City and Manjuyod Negros Oriental in late October. This is caused by a massive molasses wastewater spill from Universal Robina Corporation’s distillery into the Tañon Strait, disrupting fishing operations due to water discoloration and fish kills. 

10. Sierra Madre in the spotlight

On November 9, Super Typhoon Uwan made its landfall over Dinalungan, Aurora where a satellite captured a phenomenon where the storm’s powerful eye appeared to dissipate or become disrupted as it made contact with the Sierra Madre mountain range. 

11. Is the voice louder the second time around?

On the last day of November, the second wave of the “Trillion Peso March” took place. Still calling for accountability, demanding transparency, and for corrupt contractors, politicians, and officials to be behind bars. 

12. Territory invasion, as usual.

This December, Filipino fishermen were hurt when the China Coast Guard vessels sprayed their boats with water cannons in a disputed area of the West Philippine Sea. A protest followed at the Chinese Embassy, demanding for rights, and social justice.

This year has been quite a roller coaster experience with different ups and downs. As the calendar turns again, may the Philippines experience the good side of fate. We can’t deny that the system is just messed up, but despite all situations in the country, the hope is still there; little by little, we’ll always manifest positive turning points that will surely uplift our inner-spirit that is craving for peace, sufficiency, and favorable opportunities.