THROUGHOUT EVERY NEW year that comes, we often highlight the biggest discourses and events when reminiscing about the past year. These defining moments flew through the months and filled discussions between friend groups and family dinners.
Serving you shortly after visiting your Spotify Wrapped 2024, The Bedan presents the community’s shared 2024 Wrapped, flicking through the pages inked with last year’s most talked about discourses and events. From the anik-anik discourse to political scandals such as the Alice Guo shenanigans, ride through this rollercoaster ride as we collectively ask ourselves, “Wait, this happened last year?!”
Trinkets galore: The anik-anik discourse of 2024
In the resurgence of miniature figures disguised as bag accessories, the brand of designer toys called “Pop Mart” took several Filipinos by storm as they garnered interest over a long-existing series from the brand called “The Monsters,” famously known as “Labubu.” Along these are its counterparts, such as the “Liila Lucky Cat” and “Nommi.”
Besides their quirky designs, these figures are also known to have quite a price. Ranging from Php800 and above, it did not stop the increase of collectors, sooner labelling themselves as “anik-anik collectors.”
“Anik-anik’s” as one calls it, are often of sentimental value, such as movie tickets, reciepts, and local keychain souvenirs; simple things that one does not need saving to attain, “junk” that one just keeps usually because it is associated with a special memory. Because of this, s ome have argued that, given the pricey nature of these figures, branding them as anik-aniks does not justify and align with the sentimentality and simple nature of the term. 
The overconsumption of these figures by Filipino celebrities and influencers fueled the discourse more, as it was seen in the light of participating in a fad, and not a form of self-expression as what any anik-anik’s should be. At the end of the day, whatever one wishes to collect, it should be tied with self-authenticity, seeing these trends as areas for self-exploration.
Gold, honor and glory: Filipinos that thrived during the 2024 Olympics
With a 37th place finish in the overall medal standings of 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippines not only clinched its highest ranking since 1964 but also solidified its status as the best-performing Southeast Asian nation at the Games with a total of four medals–two golds and two bronzes.
Starting off strong, Golden boy Carlos Yulo made history by becoming the first Filipino athlete to win two Olympic golds in a single edition of the Games. Yulo’s eye-catching performances in the Men’s Floor Exercise and vault events secured his place as the Philippines’ first Olympic double gold medalist.
Nesthy Petecio, a veteran boxer, added another prestigious accolade to her already remarkable career, winning bronze in the women’s 57kg division. Petecio, who made history by winning silver in Tokyo 2020, became the first Filipino boxer to win multiple Olympic medals. Meanwhile, Aira Villegas, also a boxer, delivered a breakthrough performance by securing bronze in the Women’s 50kg division.
While the medal count was limited to four, several other Filipino athletes were incredibly close to achieving Olympic glory. World-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena came up short and finished fourth in the Men’s Pole Vault final with a clearance of 5.90 meters, just shy of the bronze. His performance was an improvement from his 11th-place finish way back in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making him one of the brightest hopes for future Olympic success in athletics.
In romance and sportsmanship: Season of sports in the City of Love
Humming the harmony where the lyrics “Where’s the trophy? He just comes running over to me” are placed in, there is no doubt that at least one teared up at the feeling of love and camaraderie during the 2024 Summer Olympics that took place in the prominent city of love, Paris, France.
Other than the outstanding performances and accolades that so many athletes have deservedly received, flaunted were the blooming petals of love with such a display of romance between athletes and lovers. Grabbing TikTok editors’ attention in a heartbeat, world record breaker and gold medalist for pole vaulting at the 2024 Olympics, Mondo Duplantis received more buzz besides the subject of his incredible performance, as he followed his moment of success by running up to his partner Desire Inglander, sealing the moment with a kiss. Similarly, Tara Davis-Woodwall, track and field gold medalist, celebrated her success as she ran to her Paralympian husband, Hunter Woodwall, signifying their love in the field.
Marking their success and a new chapter in their lives, badminton players, gold medalists, and mixed-doubles partners Yu Chen Liu and Ya Qiong Huang shook the world with a surprise proposal after their wins, leaving Paris with both gold and a diamond (ring).
On the topic of rings, people were in awe as high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi took over to Instagram after losing his wedding ring to pen a message to his wife, Chiara Bontempi Tamberi, containing an apology and an offer, saying “I think there may be a huge poetic side behind yesterday’s misdeed and if you want we will throw yours into that river too so that they will be together forever and we will have one more excuse to, as you always asked me, renew our vows and marry again.”
The Trump Effect: Reshaping global dynamics
The political landscape of every state is a vital part of the wholeness of the world, which produces effects in aspects such as economic and global affairs in an international manner. For a major geopolitical player like the United States, electoral results shape not just the internal state of a country but beyond its confines, toward the whole principality within the world.
In the recent American election, where Donald Trump succeeded over Kamala Harris, substantial changes are predicted academically. With former president Trump’s reelection to the White House, the changes on the systematic aspects of the government and the American society for his controversial stances on tariffs and immigrants, and his stand on contentious issues such as abortion and gender and sexual orientation rights, would traverse the Land of Liberty.
Moreover, Trump’s views on immigration and his proposal for mass deportation through increased enforcement of immigration policies are one of the prominent concerns that will bring about huge global implications. The potential changes to be enforced in the aspect of immigration have an inherent possibility of straining global relations and the prevalence of globalization, decreasing international cooperation.
Given the degree of global interconnectedness in this 21st century and how big of a persona America is in the world, the changes brought about by the Trump administration will go beyond their geographical borders, bringing about a shift in the present systematic state of international trade, immigration, and global alliances. As Trump prepares to shape the next four years, the world, in one way or another, will respond to how he molds America.
The truth behind Alice Guo: Unraveling fraudulent facades
The year 2024 transpired with many occurrences, including the contentious issue surrounding the case of Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban City, Tarlac. Political controversies are not new in the political environment. However, the events circumnavigating the case of Alice Guo were a new variant of controversy that demands national concern, as it posed as a bold and insidious national threat. The onset of this issue can be traced back to the previous administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as he posed stances indicating leniency and support for the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), viewing it as one of the state’s strong economic forces despite the controversy in its operations
Irregularities then became the subject of inquiry in the first few months of 2024 when Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, ensuing the raid in Zun Yuan Technology Inc., urged the commencement of an investigation on the then city mayor Alice Guo after it was found that some properties within the POGO compound were named to her, and it was also discovered that she paid for the electric billings of the raided establishments.
After the initiation of an investigation, truths were revealed, and events transpired which eventually led to her deportation as she tried to flee from liability, furthering the fact of how she played and disgraced the Philippine laws and the Philippines as a whole.
The Alice Guo saga is cemented as a reminder of the evolving threats facing the Philippines. The issues surrounding this case call on Filipinos to be more vigilant, to seek truth in the face of dominant lies, and to scrutinize figures who hide behind appealing facades.
And with that, the 2024 season has come to an end. From trends, light-hearted stories, and new political scenes, we hereby confirm that; yes, those happened last year. In looking back at these events that defined the conversations we had during the past year, may we carry the lessons and insights that came with it, opting for calmer and more informed discourses this year and onwards.
(with Samantha Calderon)