#InquirerSeven: Most eye-popping stories of 2015

Every end of December, INQUIRER.net compiles 49 of the most compelling stories and issues and groups them into seven key lists that encapsulate the year that’s been. The year 2015 in particular saw the Philippines thrust further into the global stage, whether for reasons good–”Heneral Luna,” COP21 and Miss Universe–or bad–Mamasapano, #APECtado and lumad kilings.

The third of the yearend series lists the seven most eye-popping stories of the year, from the unexpected deaths due to milk tea intake to #APECtado, or the hours-long traffic induced by the arrival of world leaders for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

The Inquirer #BestofSeven for 2015 runs from December 24 to 30. Check out the rest of the lists here or by clicking the image at the end of this article.

1. Milk tea deaths

The milk tea-crazy metropolis went abuzz in April after one customer and the shop owner died after sipping a Hokkaido-flavored beverage in Manila eatery “ErgoCha.” Citing toxicology tests, the police traced the deaths to ingestion of oxalic acid, a substance commonly used as bleaching agent. The Manila Police District filed murder charges against the lone suspect in the poisoning case, the son of the shop owner.

Refresh your memory:

Milk tea kills two in 3 minutes; police can’t say what happened

Milk tea deaths: Shop owner defends son; MPD cites ‘oxalic acid’

Son of milk tea shop owner denies role in poisoning

2. Irate pedestrian shoots jeepney driver

Perhaps literally eye-popping to shocked eye-witnesses, INQUIRER.net reported in August that a jeepney driver was shot in the head by an irate pedestrian that he almost hit outside a Makati City mall. The assailant was standing near the intersection of Chino Roces ang Arnaiz avenues when the jeepney nearly sideswiped him. The driver repeatedly apologized and plead for his life, but was nevertheless shot at the temple near the left eye.

Refresh your memory:

Jeepney driver shot in head by man he almost hit

Jeepney driver shot by irate pedestrian dies; suspect still at large

3. ‘Space ambassador’ and ‘Lucifer’ run for president

From “intergalactic space ambassador,” to a man who believes he’s Lucifer, hundreds of Filipinos expressed their intention seek top political posts as they filed their certificates of candidacies at the Comelec office. Among those who wanted to run for national government positions were a man who claimed to be the husband of actress-host Kris Aquino and a “fashion designer” with a platform of home improvement.<

Refresh your memory:

Space ambassador, Lucifer among presidential hopefuls

Now come Heneral Luna, Nazi fan, and space invader

Comelec reiterates rules on nuisance candidates

4. Floral to viral: Miss Universe national costume fiasco

The flowery national costume worn by Mary Jean Lastimosa, the Philippines’ bet to the 2014 Miss Universe, made waves online after netizens noticed its resemblance to a local bakeshop birthday cake. The controversial gown, made by Colombian designer Alfredo Barranza, earned the ire of pageant enthusiasts and prompted the Binibing Pilipinas Charities Inc. to announce that creations of Filipino designers will now be considered for the national costume in the following pageant.

Refresh your memory:

Netizens feast on MJ Lastimosa’s ‘cake-inspired’ dress

Filipino designers now tapped for Miss Universe PH 2015 gown

House bill: Only Filipinos to design PH beauties’ wear

5. Million-peso Dota 2 match ends in bitterness

A Dota 2 match with P1.2 million prize money between two teams from Cebu and Davao cities ended bitterly when one side was not able to pay on time. Both sides agreed beforehand that they would bring P600,000 each in cash to the match venue but the Davao team failed to produce. After the Davao team lost, it took them two days to pay up forcing the team from Cebu to shell out extra money to extend their stay in Davao. The bet money was the highest recorded amount for a Dota 2 match outside of Luzon.

Refresh your memory:

Dota 2 Match With P1.2 Million Bet Ends in Bitterness

P1.2 Million Dota 2 Gambling Match Shows Gaps in PH eSports

6. Tim Cone transfers to Ginebra

The local basketball scene was rocked by a coaching shakeup as multi-titled coach Tim Cone transferred from Star Hotshots to Barangay Ginebra in July. Cone, the winningest coach in the Philippine Basketball Association who used to be Ginebra’s biggest tormentor when he was still with Alaska, led the Purefoods franchise to five championships in four years, including the 2014 Grand Slam.

Refresh your memory:

Cone to replace Lim as Ginebra head coach

Leaving Star players hardest part of Ginebra transfer, says Cone

Brgy Ginebra turns to old tormentor Cone for redemption

Cone excited to have Ginebra fans on his side this time

7. Commuters trend #Apectado after traffic disaster

The Philippines’ hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit had its fair share of gains, but patience of Filipino commuters was not one of them. With limited public transportation, thousands of commuters going home from work were forced to walk kilometers due to the total lockdown of several roads in the metropolis. A woman reportedly gave birth on the road due to the traffic jam caused by the Apec summit.

Refresh your memory:

#Apectado by traffic: People turn to social media to air anger

Thousands walked 4 kilometers to work due to Apec road closure

WATCH: Commuters forced to walk home

Woman gives birth on the road at height of traffic jam

Did we miss any other eye-popping stories? Share with us your thoughts!