We are approaching to the conclusion of 2012. As it ends, let’s have a quick flashback of the things that transpired this year. There are different events celebrated and controversies involving people like celebrity figures, sports icons, and other notable personalities who have contributed to the top 10 newsmakers of 2012. Included in this list are catastrophic and man-made events that happened in certain parts of the world that have drawn people’s attention. These are the unforgettable stories that would forever be etched in the history and chronicles of 2012. Before we finally say goodbye to this year, and welcome another year of hope, blessings, and another challenging life in 2013, let us remember the things that left valuable lessons in our lives so that we can move forward and learn from them.

On February 11 2012, everyone was in shock when the news came out about the demise of one of the greatest singers of all time, the late singer, Ms. Whitney Houston. According to the final report given by the police officers who handled the case of the 2009 Guinness World Record Holder for having the title of “The Most Awarded Female Act of All Time”, she was found inside her hotel room already drowned in the bathtub. They already issued a statement that it was an accidental drowning. They have ruled out any suspected foul play, especially with the detailed evidences that led to her sudden death. When her body was found, the intoxication of cocaine led to the discovery that she’s back to her old habit. She was just 48 years old and her fans would truly miss her.

Before the close of the year, another horrible incident that occurred in India has drawn sympathy not just from the citizens of the country, but also from different parts of the world. A 23-year old lady was gang-raped and almost died from the beating of an iron rod that her helpless body received. The terrifying ordeal that she received from her tormentors did not end just like that. Her body was thrown like garbage into a moving bus to finish everything. The angst of the people are being thrown now to the government and to the lawmakers of India because of the declining conviction response in majority of the rape cases in the country from 44% in 1973 down to the lowest record in 2010 of 26%. There are allegedly 6 men who caused the misfortune and affliction to this young lady. The question now is that would this case be included as a forgotten truth before the magistrate? Time will tell if justice will be served.

When the topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge were published in an Italian magazine, everyone’s attention in different parts of the world was pointed not just at her, but to the Royal’s family name and reputation. It happened in September of 2012, and there were legal actions made by the Duke to protect Duchess Catherine. The world was really at watch. After a few months, the rumor that she was pregnant has been confirmed when the Royal family have issued a statement about her confinement in a certain hospital in London. The press has also found other symptoms, which have been photographed, that she is already conceiving. The next thing that must be affirmed from the Duchess is if she is carrying a twin or not.

At the end of October 2012, another impactful blow has brought down several states, cities, and areas in the United States. It has left devastated losses in both physical property and lives of people who were killed while the storm was strongly moving from the Mid-Atlantic, to the Caribbean, and reaching the Northeastern part of America. Frankenstorm started in a simple tropical wave and developed into a tropical and fierce tropical storm that intensified into a Hurricane level 1. It was even called a 13-day chronicle of Sandy that paralyzed 24 states in the US, crippling mass transit systems, shortening gas supplies, and leaving thousands of families homeless.

On July 20, 2012, while people at the Century Movie Theater in Aurora, Colorado were intensely watching the midnight screening of the movie, The Dark Knight Rises, they heard series of sounds comparable to firecrackers. In fact, some of them thought that it was part of the show realizing lately that the gunshots were not just staged, but the killing is happening inside the dark theater. It was indeed the darkest night for those 12 people who have died, while stigma was seen to the 59 people who received injuries. The assault came from James Holmes who made that shooting rampage, and according to several evidences presented before the court, he has planned it a few days before the attack. His notebooks that has drawings and illustrations as to how he would execute the plot he has concocted himself was a clear evidence of the crime.

Even before 2012 began, the Mayan Calendar has been the talk of the town, especially in social media sites. There are different views if doomsday would really happen on December 21, 2012 since it’s the last day found at the Mayan Calendar. Unfortunately, those who have firmly believed about the prediction associated with 12-21-12 have also realized later that it will not happen when the day itself became one of the ordinary days with no signs of catastrophic events whatsoever. Indeed, none could really tell the exact date of the end of the world, especially from the groups of Christian believers.

Everyone’s heart was broken, especially the parents of the 20 children who have died helplessly from the ruthless and evil suspect, Adam Lanza. The ordinary school day at Newton’s Sandy Hook Elementary School became a terrifying place for kids on December 14, 2012 at 09:30 AM EST. Six adults were also killed, including the school principal, Dawn Hochsprung, and Mary Sherlach, the school psychologist. According to incidental reports gathered, Adam Lanza allegedly killed his mother first, Nancy Lanza, at their residence before heading down to the school with the intent of killing all the people in each classroom. The suspect killed himself by pointing the gun to his head. The event traumatized majority of the children who have heard and seen the terrifying scene in that awful day. Who must be blamed? Has justice been served after the suspect took away his life?

After the two consecutive losses of Manny Pacquiao, one from a split decision against Timothy Bradley in June 2012, and the bitter knockout that he received from the fourth rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez on the 6^th round, the title of “Fighter of the Year” in 2012 was awarded to a fellow Filipino boxer, Donaire. Is it a sign for him to stop and finally resign from his boxing career and focus more on his political responsibilities as a Congressman in Saranggani, Philippines? Does he need to follow the advice of his loving wife to just retire and give others the limelight that he got a couple of times?

The singing sensation from Korea has already taken away the title from Justin Bieber’s video entitled Baby, from having the highest number of views in YouTube. Before the close of 2012, theGangnam Style of Psy has reached 1 billion views, surpassing the accumulated number of views for two years from Justin Bieber’s video. In fact, there are series of parodies made representing different countries because of the charisma and attention that this dance craze gave to billions of people around the globe. It is also included in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most likes on YouTube.

When the Presidential Campaign started in both parties of President Barrack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, there were series of accusations thrown to each other, especially when the moment of face-off came. The heat of the moment was felt, especially on the first time that they have to answers queries and cases pertaining to their political agendas. On the first Presidential debate, Governor Romney won, but the last two debates predicted that it would be Obama. When the Election Day arrived, great anticipation and excitement was felt not just in America, but also in different parts of the world. They were also anxious about the transition that might come. When the final verdict arrived, the people’s voice was heard and Obama was given another term to prove his worth for another four years.