PEP Special Year-End Report: 

The Numbers That Rocked In 2010

Noel B. Orsal

Willing Willie host Willie Revillame is the top

celebrity taxpayer for the taxable year 2009,
according to data released by the Bureau of Internal
Revenue. He paid a total of P57,248,831.34.

Mark Angelo Ching

For Filipinos, 2010 is the year of change.

 
On May 10, 2010, we elected a new President who
rode the polls on the promise of change.
 
This year we also saw changes in our country's
staples—a new design for our currency, a new
tourism campaign, and a new abbreviated official
reference to the Philippines: from RP to PH or PHL.
 
We also saw changes in Philippine television. TV5 is continuing to change the landscape, this time by
introducing Willing Willie, a game-and-variety show on primetime programming. TV5 is also proving to
be a glimmer on the horizon, which used to have only the big two, ABS-CBN and GMA-7.
 
Other big changes in television include the shuffle of news anchors in TV Patrol and Bandila, the earlier
start of morning shows Umagang Kay Ganda and Unang Hirit, and the decision of both ABS-CBN and
GMA-7 to reduce original programming on Sunday mornings and instead show local and foreign movies.
 
On the plus side, talented and exemplary Pinoys continued to impress skeptics all over the world.
 
World champion boxer Manny Pacquiao stamped himself anew onto the record books by earning the
eighth championship belt in as many divisions.
 
Charice's Hollywood career branched off to another high when she starred in the hit TV series, Glee.
 
The Azkals, the country's little-heralded football team, shook up Southeast Asia by doing well in the AFF
Suzuki Cup 2010.
 
Here are the numbers that rocked the nation in 2010.
 
BASIC DATA. The population of the Philippines, according to CIA's The World Factbook: 97,976,603.
 
Self-rated poverty, according to IBON Foundation's April 2010 National Opinion Survey: 66%. This is a
decline from the 71.4% of October 2009.
 
As of June 2010, the family living wage—or the estimated amount needed for a family to live decently—
is P957, according to data from IBON Foundation. Current minimum wage in the National Capital Region
(NCR) is P404.
 
Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) pegs the employment rate at 92.9% in October 2010.
Unemployment remains at 7.1%, while underemployment remains at 19.6%.
 
The National Statistics Office (NSO) places the inflation rate at 3% last November. This is an increase
from the 2.8% of November 2009.
 
The richest Pinoys in the country in 2010, according to Forbes Magazine, are:
 
1. Henry Sy US$5 billion
2. Lucio Tan $2.1 billion
3. John Gokongwei Jr. $1.5 billion
4. Jaime Zobel de Ayala $1.4 billion
5. Andrew Tan $1.2 billion
6. Tony Tan Caktiong $980 million
7. Enrique Razon Jr. $975 million
8. Beatrice Campos $840 million
9. George Ty $805 million
10. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. $760 million
 
ELECTIONS. Nine candidates competed for the presidential race in the May 2010 elections. Eight
candidates competed for the vice-presidential race.
 
Benigno S. Aquino III won the elections with 15,208,678 votes. His closest contender, former President
Joseph Estrada, got 9,487,837 votes.
 
Vice-President Jejomar Binay won the elections with 14,645,574 votes. His closest contender, former
Senator Mar Roxas, got 13,918,490 votes.

Senator Bong Revilla placed No. 1 in the senatorial elections. He received 19,513,521 votes. His closest
contender, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, received 18,925,925 votes.
 
Amount spent by President Noynoy Aquino during the campaign: P403,000,000. PNoy's monthly salary:
around P63,000. Estimated total amount PNoy will receive in his six years in office: P4,536,000.
 
As of November 2010, PNoy's trust rating remains at 80%, according to Pulse Asia.
 
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's trust rating before she left the presidency, according to
Pulse Asia: below 20% at average.
 
TRIUMPHS. Manny Pacquaio won two bouts this year. He beat Ghanian fighter Joshua Clottey last
March and Mexican-American fighter Antonio Margarito in November.
 
Manny Pacquiao's estimated gross earnings from his 2009 boxing victories: US$15,000,000 for his fight
against Clottey, and $30,000,000 dollars for his fight against Margarito.
 
The country earned two nominations this year at the International Emmys: ABS-CBN's Dahil May Isang
Ikaw for Best Telenovela; Sid Lucero for Best Performance by an actor in the said series.
 
Wins? Zero.
 
The country earned six nominations at the 15th Asian Television Awards: Planet Philippines for Best
Natural History or Wildlife Programme or Docu-Drama category; "Ondoy's Wrath" from Reporters'
Notebook, hosted by Jiggy Manicad, Maki Pulido and Rhea Santos, for Best Public Affairs Programme
category; Dingdong Dantes for Best Drama Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his
performance in Stairway to Heaven; Michael V for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress for his
performance in Pepito Manaloto; Bubble Gang for Best Comedy Programme; and 24 Oras for Best News
Programme.
 
Wins? One. 24 Oras earned a "Highly Recommended" nod for its coverage of the Maguindanao
massacre.
 
Amount won by lone lottery winner last November: P741,000,000. Number of Filipinos who placed their
bets on the numbers game: millions.
 
CONTROVERSIES. Number of Chinese tourists who died in the Manila hostage-taking crisis last August:
eight.
 
Amount allotted on botched tourism re-branding, "Pilipinas Kay Ganda": P200,000,000.
 
Number of years Hubert Webb and company spent in jail before being freed this December: 15 years.
Number of Supreme Court magistrates who voted for Webb's acquittal: seven. Magistrates who voted
against acquittal: four. Magistrates who inhibited: four.
 
Number of health professional detainees ordered by the Aquino administration to be freed this month:
43. Number of these detainees who allegedly claimed membership with the New People's Army: at least
four.
 
RATINGS. The grand finals of the first season of TV5's Talentadong Pinoy topped primetime ratings on
March 6 with 30.5%, according to AGB Nielsen.
 
ABS-CBN's Wowowee topped afternoon ratings on May 15, 2010 with 20.5%, according to Kantar-TNS.
This was the day Robin Padilla appeared on the noontime show as guest host.
 
The grand finals of the first season of ABS-CBN's Pilipinas Got Talent topped primetime ratings on June
13, 2010 with 43.3%, according to Kantar-TNS.
 
The grand finals of the first season of ABS-CBN's Showtime topped daytime ratings on July 24, 2010 with
35%, according to Kantar-TNS.
 
ABS-CBN's live airing of the Miss Universe 2010 pageant topped daytime ratings on August 24 with
10.6%, according to AGB Nielsen.
 
The premiere of GMA-7's Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown topped the primetime ratings on
August 30 with 18.2%, according to AGB Nielsen.
 
The premiere of ABS-CBN's Imortal topped primetime ratings on October 4 with 15.1%, according to
AGB Nielsen.
 
The Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight on GMA-7 topped daytime ratings on November 14 with 22.4%,
according to AGB Nielsen.
 
SHOWBIZ DATA. Amount of damage suit ABS-CBN filed against Willie Revillame: P486,000,000.
 
TV5's signing bonus given to Willie Revillame and Willing Willie: P50,000,000 in cash.
 
Willie Revillame's speculated salary with TV5: P40,000,000 monthly.
 
Number of witnesses in John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao's "vaginal lock" issue: countless. Grain of
truth in the witness accounts: zero.
 
Former siomai vendor Jovit Baldivino's total take-home prize as Pilipinas Got Talent's first winner:
P2,000,000. Estimated cost of per order of siomai: P10 per three pieces.
 
Amount won by Akihiro Sato as the winner of Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown: P3,000,000. Days
spent on the island: 36 days.
 
Top celebrity taxpayer: Willie Revillame. Amount of tax Willie paid for the taxable year 2009:
P57,248,831.34.
 
Other top celebrity taxpayers for the taxable year 2009:
 
Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, P19,546,807.70; Kris Aquino, P12,786,797.52; Piolo Pascual, P11,509,860.48;
Marian Rivera, P10,115,118.10.
 
John Lloyd Cruz, P8,599,032.56; Judy Ann Santos, P8,210,404.89; Manny Pacquiao, P7,410,221.44.
 
Vic Sotto, P6,262,055.70; Vilma Santos Recto, P5,612,132.22; Sarah Geronimo, P4,893,310.04; Kim Chiu,
P4,605,017.71.
 
First day gross of Metro Manila Film Festival films for 2010, according to unofficial data: Si Agimat at Si
Enteng Kabisote, P31,000,000; Ang Tanging Ina Mo Rin, P20,000,000; Dalaw, P12,500,000; Shake Rattle
and Roll XII, P11,800,000; RPG: Metanoia, P5,100,000; Super Inday and the Golden Bibe, P4,700,000;
Rosario, P3,200,000; Father Jejemon, P1,400,000.
 
First day gross of Metro Manila Film Festival films for 2009, according to official data: Ang Panday,
P16,900,000; Ang Darling Kong Aswang, P16,700,000; Shake, Rattle and Roll XI, P16,200,000; I Love You,
Goodbye, P11,700,000; Nobody But Juan, P8,000,000; Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love, P6,900,000;
Wapakman, P750,000.