The year was shaping up to be a good one for the Philippines. A new president was at the helm, perceived to be honest, after the nine-year calamity that was Gloria Arroyo. Manny Pacquiao, the world boxing champion in practically all the weight divisions, was considered, "pound-for-pound" the greatest boxer ever. Teen singing sensation Charice landed a role in the US TV hit series Glee and promptly Botox-ed her face in preparation for her star turn. Native son Miguel Syjuco's literary tour-de-force Ilustrado, winner of the Man Asian Prize, hit bookstores worldwide and garnered much-deserved citical acclaim. Designer Rajo Laurel's intricate cobweb dress made the cover of WWD. Boracay's beautiful albeit no-longer-as-pristine shores were belatedly discovered by the likes of the New York Times and heralded as the next Phuket.
