Chat robot site SimSimi, Asian basketball sensation Jeremy Lin, the late comedy king Rodolfo "Dolphy" Quizon Sr. and the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo topped Google search queries for 2012.
Google said SimSimi was the top trending search term in the country for 2012 while basketball fanatics searched for then New York Knicks and now Houston Rockets guard Lin, who earned the nicknames Linsanity and Lin Dynasty.
On the other hand, Filipinos made Dolphy the top most searched newsmaker in the country as they mourned his death earlier this year.
In its 2012 Year-End Zeitgeist, Google looked back on the major events and hottest trends of 2012 based on searches conducted on its Philippine website Google.com.ph.
Other highlights of 2012 in this year’s Zeitgeist for the Philippines include:
Filipino-American Jessica Sanchez’s runner-up finish in American Idol Season 11 the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona Filipino teenage martyr Pedro Calungsod’s canonization the reelection of US President Barack Obama II the franchising of noontime show Eat Bulaga in Indonesia the temporary restraining order on the Anti-Cybercrime Law
Anti-Cybercrime Law third most searched for 2012
Google also noted the extensive use of social networking websites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube by Filipinos to voice their opinions, as in the case of motorist Robert Blair Carabuena assaulting a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority constable.
But it noted this form of online freedom of speech raised a controversy when the government enacted the Anti-Cybercrime law.
Protests against the law eventually prompted the Supreme Court to issue a 120-day temporary restraining order against it.
"Cybercrime law is the third most searched news this year," Google said.
Tragedies
Filipinos became involved with tragedies in the nation, including the deaths of Dolphy, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, singer Whitney Houston, singer Karl Roy, and actor-model Ramgen Revilla.
Top trending searches
As with 2011, top trending searches this year include the computer games Angry Birds, Tetris Battle, a multiplayer tetris game, and Dragon Nest, a massively popular multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG).
The top two trending searches - Simsimi and Angry Birds - are mobile apps, "which indicate that Pinoys are increasingly using smartphones and keeping up-to-date with smartphone trends."
Other trending searches include "Super Bass lyrics," Korean musician PSY’s Gangnam Style; and Asian-American basketball player, Jeremy Lin.
Local travel
The Manila Ocean Park peaked this year as the most searched local travel destination.
Other most searched Metro Manila destinations include Club Manila East and Greenhills.
Filipinos are also seeking the other wonders of the country, including Cagayan de Oro and Abra.
Trending Searches Simsimi Angry Birds Tetris Battle Super Bass lyrics Gangnam style Jeremy Lin Whitney Houston Dolphy Dragon nest Black
Trending People Searches Jeremy Lin Whitney Houston Dolphy Janelle Manahan Daniel Padilla Jessica Sanchez Valeria Lukyanova Chachi Gonzales Ramgen Revilla Adele
Image Searches Valeria Lukyanova Bhutan Black picture Charice new look Troll face Transit of Venus Supermoon Overly attached girlfriend Me gusta Kate Middleton photos
Most searched Local Travel Destinations Manila Ocean Park Cebu Puerto Galera Bohol Tagaytay Baguio Club Manila East Cagayan de Oro Greenhills Abra
Most Searched News Dolphy (death) SOPA Cybercrime law Jesse Robredo (death) Hurricane Sandy Project Noah Scarborough Shoal SONA 2012 Philippines Robert Blair Carabuena Eat Bulaga Indonesia
Most Searched Newsmakers Dolphy Janelle Manahan Daniel Padilla Ramgen Revilla Grace Lee Karl Roy Pedro Calungsod Jesse Robredo Myrtle Jamich
Most Searched Politicians Jesse Robredo Corona Barack Obama Iggy Arroyo Romney Shalani Soledad Miriam Defensor Santiago Juan Ponce Enrile Tito Sotto Serafin Cuevas
Most Searched Athletes Jeremy Lin Manny Pacquiao Lebron James Kobe Bryant John Cena Michael Jordan Derrick Rose James Yap Maria Sharapova Dwayne Wade
Mobile searches
Filipinos also continued their searches while on the go using their mobile phones, Google said.
It said 2012’s top 10 most searched terms and people on mobile devices include:
Most searched terms: Restaurants Attractions Cebu pacific NBA Bars Cars and sedan iPhone 5 Gangnam Style Motorcycles and scooters Gas stations
Most searched people: Jessica Sanchez One Direction Daniel Padilla Kristen Stewart Taylor Swift Boyce Avenue Sarah Geronimo Jeremy Lin Anne Curtis Jamich
Google's Internet "Zeitgeist" stems from the German term for "the spirit of the times."
It explores the billions of search queries it receives each year. — TJD, GMA News
