Cris Rivera, Rizal: A headline that says, “RP victorious in its fight against corruption and poverty; no longer one of Asia and the world’s most corrupt and poorest republic.”
Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Positive news invites optimism, while negative ones produce pessimism. May we all learn to look and see beyond what we read.
Mission impossible
Rose Leobrera, Manila: Many. 1. Ampatuans sentenced to death by guillotine in public; 2. GMA leaves billions for government projects (miracle ito); 3. GMA and allies imprisoned for plunder; 4. GMA admits all her sins to the Filipino people; 5. New communities and livelihood assistance in the countryside for squatters; 6. Free hospitalization and medicine to all Filipinos; 7. Philippines now a state of the US; 8. Metro Manila named cleanest city in Asia (another impossible dream); 9. NAIA named most hi-tech airport in Asia; 10. Congress outlaws having more than two kids (just to solve our population problem); 11. Policemen and teachers now highest-paid employees in Philippines.
Charles Medina, Quezon City: “GMA admits cheating and corruption, resigns!”
Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: “Villar, Erap, Teodoro back out of presidential race.”
Environment-related headlines
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: 1. Pasig River no-nonsense cleanup begins; 2. Government digs outlet for Laguna De Bay; 3. Congressmen plant 1 million trees per district.
On the 2010 polls
Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I’m very optimistic I’d come across a headline on the success of the first automated elections and Filipinos would witness a smooth transition of power.
Dennis Acop, Baguio City: The headlines I hope to come across in the papers in 2010 are the following: 1. GMA resigns; 2. GMA’s reign finally ends; 3. GMA loses House seat; 4. GMA loses speakership; 5. Noynoy, Mar win; 6. 2010 elections: Defeat of the trapos; 7. 2010 elections: Triumph of moral governance; 8. 2010 elections: Public rejects corrupt leaders; 9. 2010 elections among the cleanest due to automation; 10. Ampatuans rejected in Maguindanao; 11. 2010 elections: No more ‘Hello Garci’; 12. 2010 polls among the country’s cleanest and most peaceful; 13. 2010 elections: Erap loss a sign that the public has finally come to its senses.
Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: “Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva, evangelist turned non-traditional politician, wins in first-ever computerized, clean and honest presidential elections in the Philippines. A promising godly leader, he vows to cleanse the entire bureaucracy and pledges to run the nation honestly.”
Mark Kevin Santos, Nueva Ecija: I’d like to read a headline bannering the news that the tandem of Villar and Legarda, which deserves the top two government posts, will win over their political rivals.
Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Aquino, Villar claim presidential victories in automated election. Comelec mum on results.
Felix Ramento, Manila: I’m very much looking forward to a sort of headline that would read something like, “Election losers honorably accept defeat.” Hindi ‘yung palagi na lang kapag natalo, dinaya. Subukan naman natin ang maging kagalang-galang sa ikatatahimik ng bayan.
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: A headline that goes: First Philippine automated elections a success; opposition bet wins presidency.” God-willing, this might make possible the change we hope for.
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: “RP’s first automated election a success”; “Gibo or Gordon win presidential bid!”; “Noynoy, Erap sourgraping”; “RP and world economy improving.”
Leonard Villa, Batac City: Supreme Court disqualifies Erap as presidential candidate in May 2010 polls.
Digoy Coro, Batangas: Headlines like, “At long last, clean and honest elections.”
Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: “Gibo Teodoro wins the presidency”. Need I say more?
Tony Luna, Parañaque City: “GMA upset by unknown in Congressional fight.”
Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Headlines worth selling: “First Philippine automated polls, 100-per cent successful”; “Pacquiao destroys Mayweather”; “Ampatuans get life sentences without parole.”
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: “Automated elections, a success; “New president assumes office with high hopes”; and “Graft and corruption now things of the past.”
Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: I’m hoping for a miraculous result in the elections in the Philippines. I’d like to see the faces of popular politicians on TV and newspapers, looking shocked at their defeat to nobodies. At last, money would not have spoken, and the will of voters tired of corruption would have prevailed. Filipinos are always the victim of political fools and immaturity syndrome. Let us all think positive that God will intervene in the coming elections. God bless the Philippines.
Sports wins
J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: I’d like to see “Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao demolishes Mayweather; 5th round TKO” and, later on, “Manny Pacquiao wins by a landslide against his opponent.” It would be nice to see those headlines instead of the same old depressing headlines, like oil prices going up, corrupt officials living a luxurious life, etc.
Rene Poder, Manila: “Manny knocks out Floyd!”
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Sports news: “Pacquiao loses in his Congressional bid,” “San Miguel captures PBA Philippine Cup,” “3-peat for Ateneo,” “Tiger Woods back with a vengeance.”
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I am sure that the big news in 2010 papers will be on the Pacman -Mayweather fight, whether or not it will push through or no matter who will win. This will be followed by election-related news.
Crime and punishment
Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: This is the kind of headline I would like to see in major leading newspapers in 2010: “Ampatuan Jr.: Guilty.” How I wish that justice would be served for all 57 people brutally killed in Maguindanao last year. Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. must answer for the death of these poor human beings. I believe that the court’s verdict should be: Guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If so, he should be made to suffer in prison beyond his lifetime.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: The news I wish to be splashed over the newspapers in the Year of the Tiger is the hellish end of the evils in government and business that give us hell to build their heaven. This can happen if the candidates that will win in the elections are not the trapos that are in the pockets of smugglers, tax evaders, and whatever evil. We need to exact change by bringing to justice these said evils. Such will be sweet news for us and would foster a bright future for our children, and our children’s children.
Louella Brown, Baguio City: The headline I hope to come across in the papers in 2010 is: “Ampatuans convicted of murder.”
Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: “President-elect orders law enforcers to arrest PGMA and family members for graft and corruption. Other corrupt officials also arrested.”
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: “Lethal injection returns.”
On the Ampatuans
Richard Decena, Quezon City: “Ampatuans acquitted due to technicalities.”
Francis Vargas, Laguna: “Ampatuan Jr. found dead inside cell.”
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: “Ampatuans, all killed in rescue attempt!”
Romeo Caubat, Masbate: “Ampatuans convicted and Noynoy wins.”
Bring on the good news!
Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: “RP no longer a Third World country.” That will be the day!
Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: By the second and third quarters of 2010, I’d like to see papers such as the International Herald Tribune and the Wall Street Journal write something like, “Philippine economic and financial recovery the fastest in all of Asia, except India, China, Thailand and Vietnam under the last year.”
Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: ”RP hits big oil deposit within undisputed area!”
Cedric Domingo, Metro Manila: Progress afoot: No murders, no scandals, no corruption.
Loi Castillo, Davao City: “With clearer government policies on business, the Philippines is now on the road to becoming one of the business heavens in Asia.” Hopefully, this will happen if national politicians do not ask money from foreign investors.
Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Peso hits 30 to 1.
Lucas Banzon Madama II, USA: I hope to see some good news about the economy gradually progressing. This is the main thing which I hope to come across in the papers in this year 2010.
Delfin Todcor, Quezon City: I hope the headlines will read: 1) “Philippine elections honestly conducted”; 2) “Philippines’ dysfunctional economic, political system curbed.”
Rey Onate, Palayan City: “Exchange rate: 1 US dollar equals P20.”
Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: “GMA loses Congressional bid; loses heavily in her hometown.” That’s one headline I really hope to read in all newspapers in 2010. But I know that’s wishful thinking. Her cabalens will never allow PGMA to lose in her Congressional bid just because she lost in Lubao. Another headline that I really would be so glad to read this year is, “Recession over, economy picking up.” I am sure every Filipino would be so happy with this news.
Norberto Robles, Taguig: A headline I’d like to see: “Philippines strikes oil. Major oil field discovered that could produce more than half million barrels per day for more than 20 years.”
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It should be something very positive, something that will invite inspiration and happiness to the Filipino people because we were barraged during the past year with endless negative headlines that we wondered if there was still anything left in life to celebrate about. So, very positive news will be worth reading as headlines in the papers.
Gerard Astucia, Marikina City: A positive one about our country that can uplift the morale of the Filipino people.
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: It is hoped that positive headlines enjoy the same weight as negative ones in all newspapers, as The Philippine STAR has been doing all along.
Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: A headline of utmost optimism beyond the claws of pessimism!
Eye-popping headlines?
Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: I expect headlines on the junking of Charter change with finality by the Supreme Court and another Filipina winning our third Miss Universe crown since 1973. Truly eye-popping headlines for 2010.
Janet Lopez, Manila: “Pacquiao wins Congress seat.”
Fair headlines based on facts
What sort of headline do you hope to come across in the papers in 2010?
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I hope we’ll get fair and fact-based headlines, not deceptive, profit-driven, sensationalized, and biased ones. Truth shall prevail, at all times.
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Headlines that rely only on sensationalism are a dud for me. The publishers and writers should know their responsibilities to the reading public.
Good news about the government
Jonaben Fetalvero, Metro Manila: “Private armies dismantled by AFP; peaceful elections ahead.”“POC Cojuangco-PSC Angping differences settled; national athletes morale boosted.”
“Philippine government revived and renewed.” Rowena Remiendo, Makati City
Expect horrible headlines
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: We can expect more horrible headlines like “Thousands die in sea mishap,” what with the prevalence of sailing coffins traversing our seas.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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