The Most-Read Stories of 2022

Our 10 most-read stories of 2022 are a mix of politics and personalities, reflecting the milestone events in the Philippines. Here they are once again, for your reading pleasure.

1) Would A President Junior Be Able To Come To The U.S.?

By Myles A. Garcia

To this day, a humungous monetary judgment by a Hawaii federal court hangs like a Damocles’ sword over the three older Marcoses.

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Irene Marcos-Araneta, Imee Marcos and Imelda Marcos (Source: AP)

2) The Image That Never Left Me

By Lila Ramos Shahani

A daughter of the Philippines’ political elite recalls her loss of innocence during the Marcos dictatorship.

Etta Rosales (center) and Malen Ang (right) with other detainees, Camp Bago Bantay, Manila, 1976. Photo courtesy of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines.

3) Senator Risa Hontiveros: Woman Of Substance

By Paulynn Paredes Sicam

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has definitely made her mark in legislation during her six years in Congress and six years in the Senate. Find out why she is not about to rest on her laurels.

Senator Risa during a Senate hearing.

4) Why ‘White Is Beautiful’ Among Filipinos

By Rey E. de la Cruz, Penelope V. Flores, and Delia R. Barcelona

Is there a need for a national campaign in the Philippines to celebrate brownness?

Skin whitening products

5) Marcos And Memory

By Sheila Coronel

The fight against tyranny is also a fight against forgetting.

Malacañang Palace, February 25, 1986 (Photo by Romy Mariano)

6) Lola Is A Marvel

By Vicente Salas

Behind a genuine Ilongga’s surprise film debut in the highest grossing movie of 2021 as Spider-man’s lola. (Disclosure: This piece has spoilers.)

Mary Egida Rivera play Ned Leeds’ lola in Spider-man: No Way Home (Source: Sony Pictures)

7) An American In Manila, 1960

By Patricia Kearney Encarnacion

Manila in the early 1960s, as experienced by a newly arrived American housewife.

Patricia, John, and Paul, in the sala area that was an extension added to the Area 17 house, in front, probably around 1966/67.

8) A Mural Of Hope In West Fairview

By Bella Bonner

Find out how grassroots enthusiasm created a giant mural in West Fairview, Quezon City in support of Leni-Robredo’s presidential bid.

The mural zeroed in on children and their need for a better tomorrow. (Photo by Bella Bonner)

9) Susan Magalona, An Inimitable Southern Belle

By Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

Why Susan Magalona, who never joined a beauty contest, was the uncrowned queen of all Manila belles from around 1937 to 1941.

Susan Magalona (center) in the company of her brother Pancho and sister-in-law Tita Duran(at right)  at the Sky Room of Jai Alai

10) Barotac Nuevo, Where Football Is King

By Criselda Yabes

Find out why the town of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo is the “football capital of the Philippines.”

Instead of the usual plaza, the St. Anthony de Padua church of Barotac Nuevo faces a football field. (Source: Smile Magazine/Cebu Pacific • Photo by Jilson Tiu)