Many stories in 2009 gave Filipinos headaches and heartaches, but the bounty of blessings that also came moved them to declare, “I’m proud to be Pinoy.”

Right before the world welcomes the Year of the Tiger, Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online presents here a list that proves there really is good news here:

Pinoy singers shine abroad

It’s hard enough to penetrate the local music scene, but young singers Charice Pempengco and Rhap Salazar were able to break barriers on the international front. Charice continues to impress audiences abroad, from Hollywood actors and “Oprah” studio guests to US President Barack Obama himself. She’s now a certified Hollywood star via her cameo in “Alvin and the Chipmunks 2.”

Meanwhile, her real-life BFF Rhap also had his share of the limelight this year when he won as grand champion at the 13th World Championships of Performing Arts. As with Charice, he caught the eye of Ellen de Generes who invited him to perform on her show. And they’re what, only 17 and 12?!? Cheers!

Angel makes it to the Emmys

After two decades, the country made noise anew at the 37th International Emmys when Angel Locsin became the second Filipina to be nominated in the best actress category after Tessie Tomas (for “A Dangerous Life”). Local network giants unified in representing the country as well, as ABS-CBN’s soap “Kahit Isang Saglit” and GMA-7’s teelserye “Magdusa Ka” earned nominations in the “Best Telenovela” category. Cheers!

Indie filmmakers score Cannes, Venice fests nods

A struggling movie industry found hope in the persons of Brillante Mendoza and Pepe Diokno, whose magnum opuses garnered critical acclaim in international film festivals. Brillante outdid premiere auteurs Ang Lee and Quentin Tarantino when he won “Best Director” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, a first for any Filipino to earn such honor for a full-length masterpiece.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Pepe Diokno inspired aspiring filmmakers to not let age limit their capacities. He is the youngest director to receive accolades at the 66th Venice Film Festival, namely the Orrizonti Prize and Luigi de Laurentiis (Lion of the Future) awards for his experimental indie, “Engkwentro.” Cheers!

Boxing champ makes history

Setting intrigues and flop movie aside, Manny Pacquiao made the nation proud this year as he held seven boxing world titles, thanks to his triumphant fights with Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Definitely one of, if not the best boxer in the world, the Pambansang Pacman was named by Time as one of the “World’s Most Influential” and among the “Top 25 People Who Mattered.”

And then there are Nonito Donaire, Marvin Sonsona, and other Pinoy boxers who share the similar goal: to bring glory (and gold) to the country. Cheers!

A band of heroes, a nation united

The final year of the first decade of the second millennium ushered a new breed of “People Power”---ignited perhaps by the death of the country’s most beloved mother, Cory Aquino, in August---in that individuals from different walks of life showed heroism and solidarity; seen especially through volunteerism or in serving as grassroots agents during and in the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

An ordinary man even gave up his own life in order to save his neighbors from the flood that submerged the Metro for days: Muelmar Magallanes, 18. He was later named as one of Time’s “Top 10 Heroes.”

Another inspiring hero, Efren Peñaflorida, was hailed as CNN’s “Hero of the Year” for his education and values-oriented advocacies, as well as for his innovative “Kariton Klassroom.”

His speech during his awarding is enough to inspire hope for the coming year:

“Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve…you are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream, and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."

Cheers!