MANILA, Philippines – There is no one recipe for going viral on the Internet, but anything on high-profile personalities, controversies or a dose of improbability is sure to pique most netizens’ interest. Look back with INQUIRER.net at the events and issues whose stories garnered the most page views and comments on the website.
This sixth of seven #InquirerSeven listicles remembers the seven Most Viral Stories of 2014.
Read the full list of the Inquirer #BestOfSeven 2014 Year-ender special.
1. VHONG NAVARRO AND DENIECE CORNEJO’S ALLEGED RAPE
(INQUIRER PHOTOS)
Popular television celebrity Vhong Navarro was bound and beaten for allegedly attempting to rape Deniece Cornejo. Media coverage intensified as rival television stations aired the side of the celebrities, who filed charges against each other.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Police blotter tells another version of Vhong Navarro’s mauling
- Group of men mauled Vhong Navarro at The Fort, says Chito Roño
- What will Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee do out of prison
2. MYSTERIOUS FLESH-EATING DISEASE IN PANGASINAN
(SCREENGRAB)
A news report of a flesh-eating disease in Pangasinan sowed fear throughout the entire province in February but was later dispelled as a hoax by health officials. ABS-CBN publicly apologized following the airing of the report.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- ‘Mysterious flesh-eating disease’ in Pangasinan a hoax–health exec
- ABS-CBN anchor on flesh-eating disease report: No intention to sow fear
- News program apologizes for flesh-eating hoax
3. HEALING PRIEST’S LAVISH LIFESTYLE
(INQUIRER PHOTO)
The Inquirer released a special report from March 5 to 9 on the healing priest, Fr. Fernando Suarez, his lavish lifestyle and his ambitions to build a Marian mega shrine in Alfonso, Cavite. The project has since been scrapped.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- SMC scuttles land donation to healing priest
- ‘There was money, why was shrine not built?’
- Some bishops cool to Suarez ministry
- Montemaria project in limbo
- Father Fernando Suarez: I forgive and pray for my detractors
4. CEBU PRIEST HUMILIATES UNWED MOTHER
(CEBU DAILY NEWS)
A video of a priest in Cebu berating a 17-year-old mother during the baptism of her child angered netizens and went viral. Fr. Romeo Obach of the Redemptorist congregation was suspended; he also issued an apology to the mother and her family.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Video shows priest humiliating unwed mother in baptism
- Suspended Cebu priest to unwed mother: Stupid, Shameful
- Priest who scolded unwed mom apologizes
5. ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE
(INQUIRER.net PHOTO)
The ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Ice Bucket Challenge originated in the United States but spread worldwide when popular personalities participated in it and nominated other celebrities. Several government officials also took part, to raise awareness of and research funds for the disease.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Ice bucket challenge: Latest internet craze, and it’s for a good cause
- PH ranks 8th in Ice Bucket Challenge participation
- De Lima accepts ice bucket challenge
6. MATH WIZARD STREET KIDS STUN NETIZENS
(SCREENGRAB)
A video of street kids around the UST campus solving complex math problems went viral and awed netizens. A television report found that engineering students taught them shortcuts in solving math equations.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
7. HIGH-PROFILE DEATHS SHOCK THE WORLD
(AP PHOTO)
Death is inevitable and constant, but the untimely passing of the likes of comedian Robin Williams (63), who committed suicide on Aug. 11; poet Maya Angelou (86), and National Artist for Sculpture Abdulmari Asia Imao (78), broke the hearts of many around the world.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Robin Williams, boisterous comedy star, dead at 63
- Williams called ex-wife ‘Finnipino’
- University: Poet, author Maya Angelou dies at 86
- National artist Imao passes away