If there’s one thing all Filipinos can agree on, it’s that Pinoys are the best at making light of everything — even topics that aren’t a laughing matter.
This “talent” is much more evident in the age of the internet, where anyone and anything can be turned into a meme.
There have been tons of really good viral posts this year but here’s a list of those that expertly display Pinoy humor.
The silliest memes
In September, the Philippines experienced a 6.4 percent inflation which was the highest rate in nine years.
Filipinos were alarmed when some commodities like siling labuyo (bird’s eye chili) rose in prices. Only around PHP150 (US$2.78) per kilo in February, it reached a peak price of PHP1,000 (US$18.52) in local wet markets in August.
But many Filipinos turned the dire situation funny with the help of memes. Like, a lot of memes.
Like this one by Facebook user Gem Aquino, who shared a photo of a bag of chilis and said in Filipino: “We don’t have a car but it’s not like I’m bragging but…”
#CrazyRichAsiansAreReal.
The House of Plunder
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo replaced Pantaleon Alvarez as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in July.
Arroyo was the country’s president from 2001 — 2010. She was arrested from her hospital room in 2011 on charges of election fraud and corruption but was freed from hospital arrest in 2016 after the Supreme Court declared the evidence as insufficient.
People were, understandably, angered by her new position as House Speaker but many also took it as an opportunity to make fun of the whole situation.
The event spurred tons of memes that show Arroyo cupping her hands between her mouth.
There are also some Game of Thrones referenes like this one:
Twitter user @ChrisDaveTan wrote: “This SONA (State of the Nation Address) is more dramatic and full of twists than Game of Thrones! Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the Cersei Lannister of the Philippines. The woman knows how to play politics really really well.”
This SONA is more dramatic and full of twists than Game of Thrones! Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the Cersei Lannister of the Philippines. The woman knows how to play politics really really well. 😂✌🏻#SONA2018 pic.twitter.com/z9M6WgRKPA
— Chris Dave Tan (@ChrisDaveTan) July 23, 2018
Get in loser, we’re going corned beef shopping
Heart Evangelista — actress, painter, politician’s wife, and real-life Crazy Rich Asian — went viral on social media earlier this December when she wore a glamorous blue dress and posted a clip saying that she was heading to the grocery to buy corned beef.
“This is my look for today. I am on my way to the grocery to buy corned beef,” she says in the video.
Adulting Philippines’ Facebook post of the video comes with the caption: “[You] when you just got paid.”
Of course, it was a joke, but people couldn’t help but chime in and share their own creations:
Mhia Compahinay Aguado shared a photo of a rather borderline naked Jennifer Lopez and wrote in a comment on Adulting Philippines’ post: “Hi! This is my outfit for today, I’ll just pick kangkong (water spinach) from our neighbor.”
There’s plenty more where that came from.
Witty Miss Universe national costume quips
This year’s Miss Universe was a dream for a lot of Filipinos because the country’s bet Catriona Gray took home the crown. But before watching the intense coronation ceremony, Filipino netizens had a lot to say about the Miss Universe candidates’ national costumes.
It’s one of the most anticipated pre-pageant activities in Miss Universe because candidates usually go all out, even if it’s a bit overkill.
And Filipinos won’t let go of how extra everyone was.
Like in the photo above where the food headdress of a contestant was the subject of Justine Madelar’s joke when she wrote: “That’s what happens when food is all you think about.”
Mark Reparejo used it as an opportunity to say: “Happy Nutrition Month.”
“I love your Filipino accent!”
In November, animated show Dexter’s Laboratory went viral when a scene from one of its episodes was turned into a meme that highlights the Filipino accent.
For example, some Pinoys would pronounce “ham and cheese” like this:
“I love your Filipino accent! What you want on your sandwich again?”
Me: pic.twitter.com/YY0ltfSOJ6
— Aly Rose (@ahlyrose) November 11, 2018
The meme was based on an old episode of the Cartoon Network show titled The Big Cheese. Aired in 1996, the episode showed Dexter trying to study French by listening to a vinyl record overnight.
Is this a pigeon?
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippines (DOST) isn’t exactly known for its sense of humor, but in June, they used the popular “Is this a pigeon?” meme to promote the Philippine Journal of Science, which can be used by scientists to access scientific resources without dealing with paywalls.
Too much science stuff? Bear with us, it gets better.
The DOST took its Facebook post one step further by citing the source of the popular meme, using the standard American Psychological Association (APA) citation format, no less.
The #CesarMontanoChallenge
Actor and former government official Cesar Montano went viral on Facebook after posting a birthday greeting, not because of what he said, but for what looked like a naked woman in the background.
In the 15-second video, Montano greets a barangay kagawad (village councilor) a happy birthday and says in Filipino and English: “More power to you. Don’t forget, there is a Cesar Montano that supports you.”
The woman, who looks to be naked (she could be wearing flesh-colored undies or bikini?), enters the frame even before Montano starts his greeting.
People tried to make the #CesarMontanoChallenge happen, which had people lampooning Montano’s video.
Here’s one with a man greeting someone a happy birthday when another man suddenly appears in the background, removes the towel around his waist, washes his hands, and scratches his butt.
What are your favorite memes and viral stories from 2018? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
