If you’ve opened TikTok or Facebook lately, you’ve probably noticed something strange: 2016 is back. Filipino celebrities are flooding social media with throwback photos, old trends are resurfacing everywhere, and the #2016 hashtag has surged to roughly 1.7 million posts on TikTok, with tens of millions more throwback posts flooding Instagram.
Local news outlets from GMA to ABS-CBN have dedicated entire segments to understanding why Filipinos are suddenly obsessed with a decade ago. The nostalgia wave isn’t just about remembering the past. It’s about revisiting a year that felt different, simpler, and distinctly Filipino.
But why 2016? Why now? Let’s break down everything that made Philippine 2016 iconic.
Mentioned in this article:
- Filipino Entertainment
- The Soundtrack of 2016
- Pokémon GO Summer
- Selfie Apps and Filter Obsession
- K-Drama Series
- The Style That Defined the Year
- Suntukan sa Ace Hardware
- Musical.ly and the Pre-TikTok Era
- The Last Year of “Real” Facebook Culture
Filipino Entertainment
2016 was a landmark year for Filipino entertainment, with multiple cultural moments that defined the local landscape and created memories Filipinos still cherish today.
AlDub Phenomenon: Peak Kilig Culture
AlDub‘s cultural dominance peaked around 2016, building on the record-breaking “Tamang Panahon” event in October 2015 that generated 41 million tweets in 24 hours, a global Twitter record at the time. Throughout 2016, Kalyeserye dominated noontime television with split-screen dubsmash communication, pabebe waves, and the iconic Lolas.
Their July 2016 movie Imagine You and Me grossed over PHP 21.5 million on opening day, making it the highest opening-day gross for a Filipino film in 2016 at the time of its release. AlDub represented wholesome, family-friendly kilig culture at its peak, with entire families gathering at lunchtime for collective joy.
Awra Briguela’s Breakout Year
Awra Briguela had her breakout year in 2016 at just 12 years old. She became a household name through “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” where her comedic timing and memorable one-liners made her an instant icon among Gen Z Filipinos. By late 2016, she was announced as a contestant for “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids,” which premiered in January 2017, a season she would go on to win with 95.41% of the public vote.
#ParangNormalActivity
#ParangNormalActivity brought comedy-horror to primetime on GMA from 2015-2016. The show extended its airing due to popular demand in February 2016, with episodes like “Inahas ni Third” and “Chubby Ghost” becoming viral moments.
Encantadia Reboot
GMA’s Encantadia reboot premiered on July 18, 2016, introducing a new generation of Sang’gres: Glaiza de Castro as Pirena, Kylie Padilla as Amihan, Gabbi Garcia as Alena, and Sanya Lopez as Danaya. The fantasy series brought Filipino audiences back to the mystical realm with updated special effects and expanded mythology.
For Gen Z Filipinos, this was their first introduction to Encantadia, while millennials experienced nostalgia for the 2005 original.
Pia Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe Reign
Pia Wurtzbach‘s Miss Universe reign dominated 2016’s first half. Though she won in December 2015 in the infamous Steve Harvey mix-up, Pia reigned throughout 2016 as the Philippines’ first Miss Universe winner in 42 years. Her grace and year-long reign made her a role model.
The Soundtrack of 2016
Two songs defined 2016’s soundtrack in the Philippines, representing opposite ends of the musical spectrum: one hilariously absurd, the other achingly romantic.
PPAP: Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen
“Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” by Japanese comedian-DJ Pikotaro became one of 2016’s most bizarre viral phenomena. Released on YouTube on August 25, 2016, the 45-second earworm featured Pikotaro combining pens with apples and pineapples through absurdist dance moves.
Justin Bieber shared the video on September 27, calling it his “favorite video on the Internet,” causing it to explode globally. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and charted at #77 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Philippines, PPAP became inescapable. The dance was simple enough that lolas and lolos could join in during family reunions.
“Closer” by The Chainsmokers
“Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey defined 2016’s romantic soundtrack. Released on July 29, 2016, the song reached #1 by September 3. It became the longest-running #1 single of 2016, spending 12 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing Drake’s “One Dance.”
The song’s nostalgic lyrics resonated deeply: “So baby pull me closer in the backseat of your Rover / That I know you can’t afford.” “Closer” played at every party, every mall, every school fair. It was the soundtrack to first relationships, barkada road trips, and late-night kwentuhan sessions.
Pokémon GO Summer: When Filipinos Actually Went Outside
When Pokémon GO officially launched in the Philippines on August 6, 2016, the country went absolutely wild. Luneta, SM Mall of Asia, Bonifacio Global City, and UP Diliman turned into hunting grounds for Dragonites and Lapras.
“May Pikachu ba dito?” became a legitimate conversation starter. Groups of teenagers roamed malls together hunting for rare Pokémon. Office workers took lunch breaks to catch Pokémon near their buildings.
Niantic partnered with Globe Telecom in late October 2016, making Filipino telco stores official PokéStops and Gyms. The game peaked at roughly 200–250 million monthly active users in its first months and generated $600 million in revenue within 90 days.
“2016 ng nauso ang PokemonGo. 1st pokemon catch ko! Namiss ko ang paglalaro ng pokemon go,” one Filipino reflected in their 2026 throwback. The Pokémon GO summer got people outside, exploring their communities, and actually interacting face-to-face.
Selfie Apps and Filter Obsession
Snapchat had introduced its AR face Lenses in late 2015, but 2016 was the year they truly exploded into mainstream culture, particularly the flower crown and dog filters that dominated every Filipino’s camera roll.
The Flower Crown Filter
The flower crown filter became so iconic that GMA News in 2026 asked viewers for their “2016 era photo reveal,” with comments flooding in: “‘yan pang malakasang filter noon na naabutan ko Snapchat flowercrown filter mapababae man o lalaki hahahha.”
The filter placed a delicate crown of flowers atop users’ heads and subtly smoothed skin. Everyone used it. Your tita used it. Your kuya used it. Even your tatay probably tried it once. The flower crown transcended age, gender, and social status.
The Dog Filter
The dog filter rose to massive popularity in early-to-mid 2016, which gave users floppy puppy ears, a wet nose, and a lolling tongue. The filter became so popular it earned the nickname “the hoe filter” in certain internet circles.
Filipinos fell hard for the dog filter. Girls used it for their dating app photos. Guys pretended to hate it but secretly took dog filter selfies. Group shots at parties featured everyone with dog ears and tongues.
B612: The Korean Camera App
B612, the Korean camera app developed by SNOW, dominated Asian markets including the Philippines. Named after the asteroid home of “The Little Prince,” B612 offered dozens of real-time beautification filters and AR effects.
For Filipinos in 2016, these apps weren’t just photo tools. They were identity construction kits.
K-Drama Series
2016 was the year K-dramas cemented their dominance in the Philippines. By 2016, the Philippines had fully embraced Korean culture. Kimchi and tteokbokki became mainstream. Fashion and beauty standards reflected Korean aesthetics. K-dramas offered fresh storylines, scenic cinematography, attractive actors, and the “kilig factor” without excessive violence.
Descendants of the Sun
Descendants of the Sun premiered on February 24, 2016, starring Song Joong-ki as Captain Yoo Si-jin and Song Hye-kyo as Dr. Kang Mo-yeon. The series followed a special forces soldier and trauma surgeon navigating love amid military duty.
Song Joong-ki’s dimpled smile became the subject of countless Filipino fan edits and swooning social media posts. GMA Network produced a Philippine adaptation in 2020, but it was the 2016 original that Filipinos remember: late-night streaming sessions, group chats dissecting each episode, and the unforgettable OST.
Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
Goblin aired from December 2, 2016, to January 21, 2017. Written by Kim Eun-sook and starring Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, and Yoo In-na, the series became a cultural phenomenon.
The plot followed Kim Shin, a decorated military general condemned to eternal life as a goblin. The only person who can end his immortality is the Goblin’s bride. The series finale recorded an 18.68% nationwide audience share. Filipino viewers were captivated by the blend of fantasy, romance, comedy, and tragedy. The OST, particularly “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol and Punch, became massive hits.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo aired from August 29 to November 1, 2016, starring IU and Lee Joon-gi. The drama followed Go Ha-jin, a woman transported back in time to the Goryeo era where she becomes Hae Soo among the many princes vying for the throne.
The series received mixed reviews in Korea but became a phenomenon internationally. Filipino fans appreciated the tragic romance, beautiful cinematography, and stellar performances. The series won seven awards at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards. Viu Philippines offered a Tagalog-dubbed version in 2021, demonstrating enduring popularity.
The Style That Defined the Year
2016 had a distinctive fashion aesthetic instantly recognizable in throwback photos. The combination of specific accessories and sneakers created a look that defined the year.
Chokers on Every Neck
Choker necklaces were everywhere in 2016. From velvet bands and delicate chains to bold hardware, chokers framed every neck and added instant personality.
Kendall Jenner became the undisputed queen of the choker revival. In January 2016, Elle declared that “the black choker is the next big thing.” Beyoncé wore three different chokers in the “Formation” video. Rihanna sported a large pink choker in “Work.”
Filipino fashion followed immediately. SM Accessories, Forever 21, and local boutiques stocked chokers in every style. Divisoria and Greenhills sold affordable versions. The choker wasn’t just an accessory. It was a statement of belonging to 2016’s aesthetic.
Adidas Superstars and Stan Smiths
Adidas Superstars became the best-selling sneaker of 2016. The classic white shell-toe design with black stripes appeared on every Filipino mall floor, campus, and Instagram feed. Students wore them with school uniforms. Office workers paired them with jeans and blazers.
You saw them at SM, at BGC, at school, at church, everywhere. They were comfortable, versatile, and affordable enough to be accessible. The Stan Smith also had its renaissance in 2016, the minimalist white leather sneaker becoming the sophisticated older sibling to the Superstar.
Off-the-Shoulder Tops and Bomber Jackets
Off-the-shoulder tops accentuated collarbones and paired perfectly with chokers, creating the definitive 2016 look. Every fast fashion retailer stocked off-the-shoulder tops: peasant blouses, fitted bodysuits, casual tees, elegant dresses. The exposed shoulder plus choker combination became 2016’s signature look.
Bomber jackets, particularly in forest green, became the go-to outerwear. The style worked perfectly for Philippine weather (cold aircon indoors, hot weather outdoors, unpredictable rain). Filipino fashion retailers like Penshoppe, Bench, and Uniqlo featured bomber jackets prominently. Penshoppe’s 2016 campaigns featured international models Gigi Hadid and Lucky Blue Smith, showcasing the season’s trendy styles.
Suntukan sa Ace Hardware: Peak Filipino Internet Humor
One of 2016’s most uniquely Filipino viral moments was “Suntukan sa Ace Hardware” (Fistfight at Ace Hardware). Created as a shitpost by the Facebook page “Bulbulito Balagbag: tuberong kulay green” in March 2016, the event page invited people to a free-for-all fistfighting match at Ace Hardware in SM City Lucena on April 15, 2016.
More than 54,000 Facebook users said they would go, while around 36,000 expressed interest. The absurdity was the appeal. Who fights at a hardware store? The randomness made it quintessentially Filipino internet humor.
Ace Hardware initially denied involvement, but in a brilliant marketing pivot, they reversed course. On April 15, Ace Hardware prepared a small mock boxing ring where customers could take photos, turning the viral moment into a promotional opportunity.
In 2026, Filipinos remember “Suntukan sa Ace Hardware” as peak Filipino internet humor: absurdist, self-aware, and ultimately wholesome.
Musical.ly and the Pre-TikTok Era
Musical.ly reached over 90 million users by mid-2016. Filipino teens dominated the platform, lip-syncing to Tagalog songs, English hits, and K-pop tracks. They choreographed dances in their bedrooms and used transitions and effects to stand out.
Brent Rivera dominated both Vine and Musical.ly in 2016. When Vine shut down in October 2016, creators like Brent migrated to Musical.ly, and Filipino teenagers followed. Future Filipino TikTok stars got their start on Musical.ly, learning timing, editing, and performance.
The Last Year of “Real” Facebook Culture
In 2016, Facebook in the Philippines was at its cultural peak. Filipinos were among the world’s most active Facebook users, the country was consistently named the “Social Media Capital of the World,” with the vast majority of Filipino internet users on the platform. The platform felt genuinely social, not yet weaponized by algorithms.
People uploaded entire photo albums without fear. They shared cringe-worthy status updates about their feelings, their lunch, their commute. They checked in at Jollibee and SM malls with genuine excitement. The algorithm hadn’t yet taken over as aggressively, so you still saw your friends’ real posts more regularly.
Facebook groups thrived. Comment sections were playful rather than toxic. People used Facebook to actually connect with friends rather than perform for an audience. The cringe is precisely what makes 2016 Facebook real, evidence that people shared without personal branding strategies.
FAQs: 2016 Trend Nostalgia
Why is 2016 nostalgia trending in 2026 among Filipinos?
Filipino celebrities from Awra Briguela to Gabbi Garcia sparked the trend by sharing throwback photos and iconic 2016 moments. For Filipinos, 2016 represents AlDub’s peak (41 million tweets breaking Twitter records), Pokémon GO summer at Luneta, K-drama marathon culture, Awra’s breakout year, and the last pre-pandemic year when social media felt authentic. Gen Z Filipinos (now 20-24) are experiencing their first adult retrospective of their teenage years.
What were the biggest cultural moments of 2016 in the Philippines?
The biggest Filipino cultural moments included AlDub breaking Twitter records with “Tamang Panahon,” Awra Briguela’s breakout on “Ang Probinsyano,” five major K-dramas dominating Filipino viewing (Descendants of the Sun, W, Legend of the Blue Sea, Goblin, Moon Lovers), Pokémon GO hunts at Luneta and BGC, “Suntukan sa Ace Hardware” viral event, Encantadia reboot, Pia Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe reign, PPAP dance phenomenon, “Closer” by The Chainsmokers, and the Snapchat flower crown filter epidemic.
What K-dramas dominated the Philippines in 2016?
Five K-dramas created a perfect storm in 2016: Descendants of the Sun (military romance with Song Joong-ki), W: Two Worlds (meta-webtoon fantasy), The Legend of the Blue Sea (mermaid romance with Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho), Goblin (supernatural romance with Gong Yoo), and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (tragic historical time-travel). These shows solidified K-drama fandom in the Philippines, with Filipinos staying up until 3 AM for new episodes and learning Korean phrases from the shows.
How did social media work differently in the Philippines in 2016?
Filipinos were among the world’s most active Facebook users, with the vast majority of internet users on the platform. Facebook felt genuinely social rather than algorithmic. People uploaded entire photo albums, shared cringe status updates without performance anxiety, and checked in at Jollibee with genuine excitement. Musical.ly represented creation for joy rather than monetization. Pokémon GO got people talking to strangers. The Snapchat flower crown filter was used joyfully, not strategically.
What made AlDub such a phenomenon in 2016?
AlDub (Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza on “Eat Bulaga!”) dominated Filipino entertainment in 2016. Their “Tamang Panahon” event in October 2015 generated 41 million tweets in 24 hours, breaking the global Twitter record. Their July 2016 movie grossed PHP 21.5 million on opening day. The Kalyeserye segment featured split-screen dubsmash communication, pabebe waves, and the iconic Lolas. AlDub represented wholesome, family-friendly kilig culture at its peak, bringing families together at lunchtime for collective national entertainment.
What fashion trends defined 2016 in the Philippines?
The defining 2016 fashion trends were chokers (velvet, chain, and hardware styles), off-the-shoulder tops paired with chokers, bomber jackets (especially in forest green), and Adidas Superstar sneakers. In the Philippines, these trends were accessible through Penshoppe, Forever 21, SM Accessories, and local boutiques. The combination of choker plus off-the-shoulder top became the signature 2016 Filipino street style look that’s instantly recognizable in throwback photos.
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