With 2019 coming to a close, Google Philippines has revealed the most searched terms for the year. Topping the list is a term that might not be familiar to most Filipinos: Omegle, which is the free online video and chat site.
Omegle apparently zoomed to popularity after it totally scrapped the registration process, allowing its users to go straight to one-on-one chat sessions by just typing keywords for their interests. Its algorithm will then pair any user randomly with any user who typed in the same interests.
Since its debut in March 2009, the online/video/chat site has never introduced any major news feature except for a mobile application, which is available only as an APK (Android application package).
Following Omegle closely behind for the second and third spots are gaming tools MemoryHackers and Codashop. MemoryHackers is a portal for cheat codes in various online games like Ring of Elysium, PlayersUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Fortnite, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, and Rules of Survival. Codashop, meanwhile, is a top-up website for in-game Diamonds and Starlight memberships for “Mobile Legends: Bang Bang” – the e-sports title recently included in the 2019 SEA Games.
“It’s gonna be an even more exciting year for Google in 2020… you’ll hear more local and relevant campaigns,” said Mervin Wenke, Google Philippines head for communications and public affairs.
“The annual Year in Search serves as a lens to the most relevant topics in pop culture, events, sports, politics, and news that shaped 2019 for Filipinos. It also gives a glimpse into our way of life and how we search online,” Wenke added.
Marvel’s comic book-based films based on the “Infinity Saga” ranked for the first and third spots in the Movies category in Local Trending Searches for 2019.
Securing the top spot was “Avengers: Endgame” which reigned atop the rankings for eight months after its release in the Philippines in April. “Captain Marvel”, which was released a month earlier, landed at third place.
For audiophiles, American pop rock band Maroon 5’s “Memories” from their upcoming seventh studio album was the most searched in the Song and Lyrics category. The song went live on September 20 and released by 222 Records and Interscope Records. The song was a big hit worldwide and was also at the top of music charts since it used a familiar harmony from the Pachelbel’s Canon which is usually heard in weddings.
For most Filipinos smartphone owners, tinkering with in-app colors has been a particular interest this year as the How-To category’s most searched this year was “How to Dark Mode”. People started for it online when Instagram and Messenger adopted the Light-on-Dark color scheme. Dark Mode utilizes light-colored texts and icons on a black background to lessen the strain on the battery or is simply preferred by users who find it easier on the eyes.
Searches under the Dogs category came mostly from Pinoy #Furrparents who came looking for Bull Dog, Golden Retriever, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Poodle, and American Bully.
For TV shows, foreign series didn’t make a splash this year, with “Game of Thrones” only taking the sixth spot. Local shows gained more searches this year with “Idol Philippines” leading the race with “Starstruck” closely behind, Korean drama show Hotel de Luna for third, ABS-CBN’s afternoon soap Kadenang Ginto, then another KDrama titled “I Have A Lover” making its way to the list.
The local search list won’t be complete without a rundown on male and female personalities who sparked interest in the entertainment industry. Recently cast for the role of the upcoming “Darna”, Jane De Leon was the leading female personality on the list.
She was followed by stars caught on a recent family feud: Gretchen Barretto, Marjorie Barretto, and Julia Barretto. Binibining Pilipinas 2019 titleholder Gazini Ganados, who also represented the country during the Miss Universe 2019 pageant, was one spot ahead of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
For male personalities, Sound Break 19 (SB19) earned the top spot on the list. The Pinoy idol boy group trained under Korean entertainment company ShowBT and is comprised of members Sejun, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin.
Two young guns who created noise in the political scene — Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto and Manila mayor Isko Moreno – also figured prominently in the annual roll.
Although the Todd Phillips-directed film “Joker” was unable to penetrate to top trending movies searched locally, its leading actor Joaquin Phoenix made it to the sixth spot on the list.
