By Beatrice Anne Malveda

2011 was a year of happiness and sadness, a year of gains and losses, a year of hellos and goodbyes, a year of celebration and mourning, a year of opportunities and closed doors, a year of achievement and failure, a year of firsts and lasts, a year of loss and life.

Here, BEYOND lists down the Top 10 events that happened both in the Philippines and international scene that have daffected the way we live our lives.

1. Political unrest in Syria

There were a number of uprisings that happened in Syria mainly because of the harsh dictatorship of the Assad clan, a political dynasty that has been ruling the said country since 1970. It was practically a dangerous zone for anyone to live because violence was rampant at every nook and corner of the vicinity. Of course, our OFWs in Syria weren’t an exception to the danger posed by the bold war of the people against the government. The Aquino administration had to exhaust all possible efforts to help the OFWs reach their safety.

2. March 11, 2011: The  Earthquake in Japan

The whole world was taken by shock and grief after hearing of the tsunami that has befallen Japan and has left it wrecked. The earthquake that caused the tsunami had a booming 8.9 magnitude and was followed by many aftershocks that all in all took many people’s lives away. The Philippines had to use, yet again, lots of money for the sake of fellow Filipinos who live and work in Japan.

3. April 29, 2011: The Royal Wedding

It didn’t matter where people were, may it be at the comfort of their homes or in Westminster Abbey, most took the time to watch Kate Middleton as she walk down the aisle to take the arms of her beloved Prince William. This fairytale romance–a commoner and prince wedding–grabbed the attention and fancy of many as it relived many childhood dreams. The royal family was once again on top of the news.

4. May 1, 2011: The Beatification

The late Pope John Paul II, in his reign, was particularly known in uniting Christianity with other religions that abound the world. He visited many countries including our very own, forever embedding a mark in the hearts of Filipinos. In May 1, 2011, five years after his death, hundreds of people from different parts of the globe crossed borders to watch John Paul II take his final step before sainthood.

5. May 1/2, 2011: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden

US President Barrack Obama announced in good cheers the successful killing of Al-Qaeda’s leader, Osama Bin Laden, in Abbottabad, Pakistan. He marked this as the justification of the obstruction of peace and deaths of thousands that the group was responsible for. Bin Laden’s death may not mean the demise of terrorism around the world but the loss of a major unifying symbol of this culture of violence is much to be celebrated for.

6. September 12, 2011 Shamcey finishes Third Runner-Up of Miss Universe 2011

After Venus Raj’s major, major finish in last year’s Miss Universe pageant, Shamcey Supsup did not fail to bring gold to the Philippines as well. Out of 89 participants, she won as Third Runner-Up, a victory that the Filipino nation rejoiced. If Venus Raj became the object of “major, major” jokes, Shamcey Supsup was known for her Tsunami walk.

7. October 5, 2011 Apple bids final goodbye to Jobs

Apple has created a revolutionary in the communications and technology realm that has shaped and somehow defined our modern generation. A huge chunk of Apple’s success is attributed to its co-founder, Steve Jobs, who died at the age of 56 because of pancreatic cancer. His legacy will always be remembered by his friends, family and the world that he lived to change.

8. November 18, 2011 Arroyo’s Arrest

After numerous attempts to leave the country for whatever purpose it may serve, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is finally issued a warrant of arrest for the crimes that she is accused of during her administration. For most people, this is a towering sign of Aquino’s electoral and continuous promise of truth and anti-corruption.

9. December 17, 2011 North Korean leader dies

North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, dies at 69 because of physical and mental strain, as reports say. While North Korea mourns for the death of their general, the United States, South Korea and other nations wait for further developments and implications that the death of North Korean leader may surge.

10. December 17, 2011 2011′s World’s Deadliest Storm

Typhoon Sendong hits Cagayan De Oro and Iligan City, leaving it in a devastating state of more than a thousand lives lost and hundreds of people missing. It was sad to hear of a typhoon so deadly especially during a time of festivity and holiday cheer. An outpour of help came from international organizations and civilian Filipinos to somehow ease the suffering of the casualties of typhoon.

There are a lot of eventful occurrences that happened in 2011 and this list may not in any way sum up or define what 2011 was like for all people. For some, it may have been a joyous year while for others, it was but a sad memory. 2011 may have passed but none can invalidate the truth that it is already a part of our  history and who we are.

Now it is 2012 that for most of us fear but let us look at it as another year that opens up another opportunity to become better versions of ourselves. Bye 2011, hello 2012!