AlDub ‘Googled’ its way to the top

MANILA, Philippines - It came as no surprise when AlDub, the phenomenal love team of Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza, emerged as Google’s top search in the Philippines for 2015.

The annual list of top trending searches was unveiled during Google’s Year In Search press party at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig.

The charming Pope Francis came in second, followed by Maine, FIBA Asia 2015, the selfie video mobile app Dubsmash and Alden. The first movie installment of the erotic-romantic Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Paris attacks and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) rounded up this year’s overall top trending searches list.

Hailed as the Dubsmash Queen and Eat Bulaga’s newest leading lady, Maine was also crowned top trending female personality; while her on-screen flame Alden ranked second next to the People’s Pope in the male personalities category.

Notably, Pope Francis — whose four-day visit in the country last January gathered millions of faithful — also dominated in the news category, besting other searches like ISIS, Charlie Hebdo, Syria, Typhoon Lando, Singapore haze and Nepal earthquake.

In the global trends category, Lamar Odom, Jurassic World, American Sniper, Caitlyn Jenner and Ronda Rousey were the five most-searched terms on Google for the year.

“Year In Search is Google’s way of looking back at the meaningful moments that captured the people’s interest throughout the year,” said Gail Tan, Google Philippines’ head of communications and public affairs.

“Locally, the trending search items of 2015 are a good reflection of the Filipinos’ increasing involvement and interest in the things that are happening around them, whether in historic national events or the breakout of a new pop culture icon,” she added.

Here’s the complete rundown of the top trending Google searches in the Philippines for 2015 per category:

Overall Top Trending Searches

1. AlDub

2. Pope Francis

3. Maine Mendoza

4. FIBA Asia 2015

5. Dubsmash

6. Alden Richards

7. Fifty Shades of Grey

8. APEC Summit

9. Paris attacks

10. COMELEC

News

Pope Francis

APEC Summit 2015

Paris attacks

ISIS

Charlie Hebdo

Pluto

Syria

Typhoon Lando

Singapore haze

Nepal earthquake

Male Personalities

Pope Francis

Alden Richards

Stephen Curry

Lamar Odom

Rodrigo Duterte

Manny Pacquiao

Ed Sheeran

Antonio Luna

Darren Espanto

Justin Trudeau

Female Personalities

Maine Mendoza

Caitlyn Jenner

Mary Jane Veloso

4th Impact

Ronda Rousey

Ella Cruz

Dakota Jonhson

Perrie Edwards

Pastillas Girl

DJ Soda

Events

FIBA ASIA 2015

APEC SUMMIT 2015

Miss Universe 2015

SEA Games 2015

NBA Playoffs 2015

Pacquiao-Mayweather match

Jones Cup 2015

SONA 2015

Chinese New Year 2015

US Open 2015

Music

Thinking Out Loud

Flashlight

Blank Space

Dessert

See You Again

Love Me Like You Do

Photograph

Cheerleader

God Gave Me You

Locked Away

Movies

Fifty Shades of Grey

Minions

Fast and Furious 7

Jurassic World

Heneral Luna

Crazy Beautiful You

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Inside Out

Pitch Perfect 2

Suicide Squad

TV Shows

Pangako Sa’Yo

Empress Ki

Eat Bulaga

On The Wings of Love

Your Face Sounds Familiar

The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2

Game of Thrones

The Walking Dead Season 6

My Love from the Star

The Voice Philippines