Year of the Snake in pictures

2013: The Ups & The Downs

Unless somebody tries desperately to beat the deadline with a shocking act (undergoing a sex-change surgery, dancing nude at the crowded Rizal Park, holding a partner hostage at the top of the Quezon City Welcome Rotunda, etc.), here are the showbiz denizens who made the Year of the Snake like no other.

In keeping with tradition, we bid 2013 goodbye and the usual good riddance with a misty-eyed last glance.

Up: Sweethearts of The Year: Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto…James Yap and Michela Cazzola...Heart Evangelista and Sen. Chiz Escudero...

Up: Kiddie Tandem of the Year: Ryzza Mae Dizon & James “Bimby” Aquino Yap. Incidentally, Ryzza holds the distinction of being The Star Discovery of The Year.

Up: My Husband’s Lover (MHL): Trend-Setter of the Year (that changed primetime viewing habit)

Up: Grace Poe-Llamanzares rode on the crest of the FPJ Magic and topped the May Senatorial Race. Other showbiz winners: Lucy Torres-Gomez (Ormoc), Lani Mercado (Cavite), Sol Aragones (Laguna), Manny Pacquiao (Sarangani), Dan Fernandez (Laguna) and Alfred Vargas (Quezon City), Congressmen; Vilma Santos (Batangas) and ER Ejercito (Laguna), Governors; Dingdong Avanzado (Siquijor), Daniel Fernando (Bulacan), Jinky Pacquiao (Sarangani) and Jolo Revilla (Cavite), Vice Governors; Angelika Jones (Laguna) and Gary Estrada (Quezon), Board Members; Herbert Bautista (Quezon City) and Joseph Estrada (Manila), Mayors; Isko Moreno (Manila), Vice Mayor; and dozens of councilors including Roderick Paulate and Lala Sotto (QC), Monsour del Rosario (Makati), Charee Pineda (Valenzuela City), and Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez (Tacloban City).

Breakout Stars: Daniel Padilla & Kathryn Bernardo, Enrique Gil, Alden Richards, Jessy Mendiola, Kristoffer Martin, Janine Gutierrez and Isabelle Daza (who showed her acting prowess in the indie film Lihis). Should this category include Alice Dixson and Danita Paner who agreed to bare themselves (not as daring as the others, though) on FHM?

Quitter of the Year: Willie Revillame sorely missed, especially by senior fans after he bade his controversial TV5 show Wil Time Bigtime goodbye (but he “warned,” “I shall return!”).

Riddle of the Year: Richard Gutierrez & Sarah Lahbati (are they or aren’t they unwed parents?)…Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli (secretly going steady?).

Family of the Year: The Gutierrezes who are topbilling in a reality-TV (similar to that of the Kardashians) set for airing in early 2014.

Down: Cheaper by the dozen (plus 1), breaking Up: Luis Manzano & Jennylyn Mercado, Nikki Gil & Billy Crawford, Derek Ramsay & Cristine Reyes, Cesar Montano & Sunshine Cruz, Christian Bautista & Carla Dunareanu, Ai-Ai delas Alas & Jed Salang, Venus Raj & Andrei Felix, Alice Dixson & Ronnie Miranda, Paulo Avelino & LJ Reyes, Mark Herras & Ynna Asistio, Angel Locsin & Phil Younghusband, Rhian Ramos & KC Montero, and Claudine Barretto & Raymart Santiago.

Down: Family feuds involving The Barrettos (Gretchen, Marjorie and siblings vs. their parents Inday and Mike and sister Claudine)…Charice vs. her mom Raquel Pempengco…Heart Evangelista vs. her mom Cecile Ongpauco.

Down: Vice Ganda cracking an offensive joke in public (during a concert at the Big Dome) against respected TV celebrity Jessica Soho.

Down: Wally Bayola “starring” in a sex video that cost him his hosting job on Eat, Bulaga! (but there’s a rumor that he might resurface on the same show early next year).  

Down: Chito Miranda and Neri Naig also in a sex video (there’s a rumor that they are getting married…soon?).

Down: Anne Curtis threatening to buy everybody, especially John Lloyd Cruz and company and the posh club where they clashed in an ugly encounter near the restroom (but Anne promptly apologized even before the story broke into the headlines).

Coming-Out Celebs: Charice & Alyssa Quijano, and Monique Wilson confirming what the public has known all the while.

May-December Lovers: Freddie Aquilar & non-showbiz 16-year-old wife, Tia Pusit & non-showbiz boyfriend, Keanna Reeve & non-showbiz boyfriend, and Mystica & non-showbiz boyfriend.

Wedding Bells set to ring in 2014 for: Drew Arellano & Iya Villania in January, Karylle and Yael Yuson (of Spongecola) in March, Boots Anson-Roa & Francisco “King” Rodrigo in June.

Farewells: Danny Zialcita, Susan Fuentes, Tropical Depression’s Papadom, movie writers Chito Alcid and Mar d’Guzman Cruz, Bella Flores, Pepe Pimentel, Norma Vales (in the USA), June Keithley, Sammy Lagmay, Daisy Avellana and Amable Quiambao.

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