As 2025 comes to a close, Google’s latest Year in Search offers a sharp look at the questions, obsessions, and cultural shifts that shaped how Filipinos navigated an unpredictable year.

Rather than tallying the most common searches, Google tracks the queries that rose the fastest—those sudden spikes that reveal what captured the country’s attention in real time.

At the very top sits Gemini AI, the Philippines’ overall #1 trending search. Its rise reflects a turning point: 2025 was the year AI became fully embedded in everyday life, from classrooms and corporate workflows to creative side hustles. Filipinos weren’t just experimenting—they were integrating.

In the News category, Halalan 2025 results dominated search traffic as voters across the country refreshed their screens for real-time updates. The midterms once again showed how Search has become a central tool for civic engagement, especially in a year when political stakes felt particularly high.

On the sports front, OKC vs Indiana became the most searched matchup of the year, a testament to how deeply the NBA remains wired into local culture. The game’s intensity and narrative stakes ignited Filipino fandom overnight, keeping the matchup at the top of the sports conversation.

In entertainment, Squid Game reclaimed its cultural grip by topping two major categories: Shows and Korean Series. The long-awaited finale reignited global discussion, and Filipino viewers were no exception—driving weeks of theories, rewatches, and character deep dives.

Music searches were led by Tibok, a breakout hit that found its way onto playlists, TikTok edits, and late-night commutes. Its momentum revealed how local music, powered by grassroots sharing, continues to shape the sound of the year.

Gamers propelled Grow a Garden to the top of the Games category, turning a simple Roblox title into a national favorite among younger players. Its viral charm and community-driven play loop made it one of the year’s unexpected digital success stories.

In personalities, two names stood out. Andy Byron topped the Male Personalities list as sudden public interest placed him squarely in the national spotlight. Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala led the Female Personalities category, her international tennis victories fueling a wave of national pride and cementing her rising-sports-icon status.

Among films, Final Destination resurfaced dramatically as the year’s top-trending movie, with franchise nostalgia and renewed horror buzz drawing in both longtime fans and a younger audience discovering it for the first time.

The Farewells category was led by Barbie Hsu, whose headline-making developments prompted a surge of searches. Filipinos followed the story closely, reflecting how personal narratives of public figures continue to resonate deeply.

From AI adoption to political milestones, from global entertainment phenomena to homegrown hits, the Philippines’ 2025 search trends reveal a nation that is curious, plugged in, and always ready to engage—whether with the biggest global stories or the cultural moments happening right at home.

How Google builds the ‘Year in Search‘

To create its annual Year in Search, Google analyzes trillions of queries made throughout the year and identifies the terms that saw the sharpest surge compared to the previous year. This approach ensures that the list reflects the moments uniquely tied to 2025—events, releases, and personalities that suddenly captured public attention—rather than the everyday searches people enter out of routine. As a result, evergreen queries like “weather,” “map,” or “news” are filtered out in favor of trends that reveal genuine curiosity and cultural impact.

Once the data is compiled, Google groups these trends into categories such as News, Sports, Personalities, Shows, Music, and more. Each category then becomes a snapshot of how people reacted, responded, and searched during key moments of the year. In the Philippines, the resulting list offers a data-driven portrait of the issues that mattered, the entertainment that resonated, and the shifts—technological, political, and cultural—that helped define 2025.

Below are the full lists for 2025—each entry paired with a brief explanation of why it surged.

OVERALL TOP TRENDING

1. Gemini AI — Filipinos turned to Google’s flagship AI for work, school, and daily problem-solving.

2. Halalan 2025 results — The midterm elections drove a nationwide spike in search traffic.

3. Grow a Garden — The Roblox mini-game captivated Gen Z users across the country.

4. earthquake near me — A series of strong tremors pushed real-time safety searches upward.

5. women in STEM fields — Interest surged as institutions promoted more opportunities in science and tech.

6. Squid Game — The series finale reignited global fascination with the blockbuster show.

7. digibooth — Digital photo booths became popular for events and social content.

8. National ID — Filipinos sought updates on registration, release, and verification issues.

9. OKC vs Indiana — A high-stakes NBA showdown captured local basketball fans’ attention.

10. Khan Academy — Students increasingly relied on free online learning tools.

NEWS

1. Halalan 2025 results — Voters tracked senatorial and local race outcomes in real time.

2. earthquake near me — Search activity spiked following multiple nationwide tremors.

3. Maguad siblings — A high-profile case returned to public scrutiny.

4. National ID — Confusion over rollout updates kept the topic trending.

5. Senatorial candidates 2025 — Filipinos researched candidate profiles ahead of the midterms.

6. International Criminal Court — Developments involving the Philippines renewed public interest.

7. earthquake safety information — People looked for guidance on staying safe during strong quakes.

8. new Pope — The global Catholic community followed news of the next pontiff.

9. LET results 2025 — Aspiring teachers checked licensure exam results.

10. eGovPH — Government services migrated online, prompting widespread searches.

SPORTS

1. OKC vs Indiana — The matchup became one of the most discussed games of the NBA season.

2. Pacquiao vs Barrios — Manny Pacquiao’s boxing return reignited national excitement.

3. NBA standings 2025 — Fans closely followed the race for playoff positioning.

4. Alexandra Eala — The Filipina tennis star achieved milestones that drew global attention.

5. FIBA Asia Cup — Basketball’s regional tournament energized Filipino fans.

6. Wimbledon 2025 — The prestigious tennis championship remained a yearly viewing staple.

7. Premier Volleyball League — Local volleyball continued its strong surge in popularity.

8. Golden State Warriors — The team’s performance kept Filipino fans searching for updates.

9. Eurobasket — European league action piqued the interest of global basketball followers.

10. Tyrese Haliburton — The NBA standout became a breakout figure this season.

SHOWS OR SERIES

1. Squid Game — Its long-awaited finale brought viewers back in massive numbers.

2. When Life Gives You Tangerines — A buzzy Korean drama captured Filipino audiences.

3. S Line — The series gained traction for its unique concept and cast chemistry.

4. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty — A fusion of food and romance boosted its online visibility.

5. Ang Mutya ng Section E — The local show resonated strongly with young viewers.

6. Monster: The Ed Gein Story — True-crime interest drove spikes in search queries.

7. Friendly Rivalry — Viewers followed its lighthearted storylines and relatable characters.

8. How To Tame A Silver Fox — Romantic-comedy fans propelled this title upward.

9. Head Over Heels — A feel-good plot earned it steady audience growth.

10. Forever After, Never Again — Its emotional narrative drew consistent engagement.

SONGS

1. Tibok — A breakout hit that dominated playlists and social media.

2. Marilag — Dionela’s viral track continued its strong cultural momentum.

3. Golden — The K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack became a fan favorite.

4. Multo — Its haunting theme captured Filipino listeners’ curiosity.

5. Nandito Ako — A classic favorite resurged through new performances.

6. You’ll Be In My Heart — The ballad regained attention through nostalgia-driven trends.

7. Dive — A sleeper hit that gained traction on streaming platforms.

8. Die with a Smile — Another global release embraced by Filipino audiences.

9. Gnarly — Its catchy hooks found strong traction among younger listeners.

10. Opalite — The track trended for its dreamy sound and online buzz.

GAMES

1. Grow a Garden — Roblox players propelled this casual game to national popularity.

2. Sprunki — Its quirky mechanics made it a standout viral game.

3. Blue Lock: Rivals — Anime fans helped drive strong interest in the title.

4. Arise Crossover — Cross-platform features boosted curiosity among gamers.

5. Minecraft — The long-running favorite remained a go-to sandbox game.

6. Jujutsu Infinite — Anime-themed gameplay kept players consistently engaged.

7. Volleyball Legends — Sports-themed gaming saw continued support.

8. Hunty Zombie — Casual players flocked to this quick-action survival game.

9. Anime Adventures — Strategy fans sustained the game’s popularity.

10. The International 2025 — Dota’s premier tournament drew massive local interest.

MALE PERSONALITIES

1. Andy Byron — His rising profile made him one of the year’s most discussed figures.

2. Ed Gein — Renewed true-crime content brought his name back into public searches.

3. d4vd — The musician’s growing influence fueled curiosity.

4. Pope Leo XIV — His ascent to the papacy sparked global and local attention.

5. Dionela — The artist dominated conversations thanks to viral hits.

6. Tyrese Haliburton — His NBA performance elevated his global visibility.

7. Vince Dizon — Government projects placed him back in public discourse.

8. Bronny James — His early basketball career remained widely followed.

9. Travis Kelce — Continued pop-culture visibility kept him trending.

10. Kendrick Lamar — Releases and performances renewed fan interest.

FEMALE PERSONALITIES

1. Alexandra Eala — Major victories cemented her as the country’s breakout athlete of 2025.

2. Bea Borres — Her online presence and projects drew significant attention.

3. AJ Raval — Film roles and social media buzz kept her in the spotlight.

4. Twice — The K-pop group’s activities stirred strong fan engagement.

5. Katherine Luna — Public appearances sparked renewed interest in her career.

6. Andi Eigenmann — Life updates continued to resonate with the public.

7. Jo Yuri — K-pop fans closely followed her releases and performances.

8. Claudia Barreto — Creative ventures put her back into the conversation.

9. Jessica Sanchez — Music releases and features revived fan searches.

10. Mika Salamanca — Her influence among young audiences remained strong.

MOVIES

1. Final Destination — The franchise’s revival drew massive curiosity.

2. K-pop Demon Hunters — Its strong fanbase pushed the film into the spotlight.

3. Superman — A reboot reignited global interest in the superhero icon.

4. Thunderbolts — Marvel fans eagerly tracked updates about the film.

5. Minecraft Movie — Gamers followed the long-awaited adaptation.

6. The Gorge — A star-studded cast drove anticipation.

7. 28 Years Later — The sequel generated excitement among horror fans.

8. Conjuring — The franchise continued to attract Philippine audiences.

9. How to Train Your Dragon — Its return stirred nostalgic interest.

10. Weapons — Genre fans searched for early details and reviews.

FAREWELLS

1. Barbie Hsu — News surrounding the actress prompted widespread searches.

2. Emman Atienza — Filipinos looked for updates following reports of her passing.

3. Pope Francis — His death marked a significant global moment.

4. Kim Sae Ron — Fans sought information after developments in her personal life.

5. Nora Aunor — Tributes surged for the Philippine cinema icon.

6. Gloria Romero — Her legacy led to renewed public remembrance.

7. Juan Ponce Enrile — His passing closed a major chapter in Philippine politics.

8. Ricky Davao — Many searched for details about the veteran actor.

9. Michelle Trachtenberg — News of her death sent shockwaves among fans.

10. Pilita Corrales — Tributes celebrated her contribution to OPM.

KOREAN SERIES

1. Squid Game — Its global cultural impact extended into 2025.

2. When Life Gives You Tangerines — The series gained strong traction locally.

3. S Line — Its storyline and cast sparked steady interest.

4. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty — Its fusion of genres drew new viewers.

5. Friendly Rivalry — A light, relatable plot kept it trending.

6. Head Over Heels — Fans embraced its feel-good narrative.

7. When the Phone Rings — Mystery elements drove curiosity.

8. Dear X — The drama’s emotional themes sparked discussion.

9. Physical: Asia — Reality-competition appeal brought viewers back.

10. Genie, Make a Wish — Fantasy romance captivated local fans.

AI-RELATED SEARCHES

1. Gemini AI — The country’s most widely explored AI tool of the year.

2. DeepSeek — Alternative AI platforms drew interest amid rapid innovation.

3. Claude — Users explored Anthropic’s advanced language model.

4. BLACKBOX.AI — Developers and students searched it for coding assistance.

5. LMArena AI — A rising tool for experiments and AI exploration.

6. Verse — Filipinos tested emerging creative-AI platforms.

7. “Humanize this” prompt — A viral prompt reshaped how users refined AI-generated text.

8. ChatGPT — Continued widespread use kept it consistently relevant.

9. Veo 3 — Google’s video-generation AI attracted early adopters.

10. Nano Banana — A quirky AI trend that spread quickly online.