Here are all the trends and events that appear in Nostalgia Diary when you pick the Philippines, year by year — what was big for Filipino kids and teens. Each year is the calendar year (January–December) when it happened. In the game, it shows up in the grade that starts in that year's school year.
For each year, we picked items from four categories: "Toys, Games & Cartoons," "Music, TV & Movies," "Fashion & Fads," and "Events." We chose things that people talked about that year, based on Philippine premiere dates, release dates, and other records — but what felt big depends on where you grew up and how old you were. If you spot a mistake, please let us know through the contact form.
Product names, titles, and organization names are trademarks or works of their respective owners. This site mentions them only to describe what was popular each year and is not affiliated with any of them.
1970s
1970
- Toys, Games & CartoonsKids kicked the sipa around the schoolyard at recess
- Music, TV & MoviesNora Aunor ruled the charts and the movies as the "Superstar"
- Fashion & FadsBell-bottom pants were the look of the year
- EventsPope Paul VI visited Manila, the first papal visit to the Philippines
1971
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTeks game cards were traded and flipped on every street
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Juan de la Cruz Band released Up in Annabelle's Room, an early Pinoy rock album
- Fashion & FadsLong hair and the hippie look caught on with young people
- EventsThe Constitutional Convention met to draft a new constitution
1972
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSpinning the trumpo (wooden top) was a favorite game
- Music, TV & MoviesBruce Lee's Fist of Fury packed the cinemas
- Fashion & FadsPlatform shoes became the trendy thing to wear
- EventsPresident Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in September
1973
- Toys, Games & CartoonsVilma Santos flew as the komiks heroine in the film Lipad, Darna, Lipad!
- Music, TV & MoviesThe sitcom John en Marsha premiered on RPN 9
- Fashion & FadsAfro hairstyles were in fashion
- EventsMargarita Moran was crowned Miss Universe
1974
- Toys, Games & CartoonsKids played jolens (marbles) in the dirt for keeps
- Music, TV & MoviesHotdog's "Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko" became a Manila sound hit
- Fashion & FadsWide collars and printed polyester shirts were everywhere
- EventsManila hosted Miss Universe at the new Folk Arts Theater
1975
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe yo-yo, a toy with Filipino roots, stayed a schoolyard favorite
- Music, TV & MoviesJaws made audiences afraid to go into the water
- Fashion & FadsDenim maong jeans became everyday wear
- EventsThe PBA, Asia's first pro basketball league, played its first season
- EventsAli and Frazier fought the "Thrilla in Manila" at the Araneta Coliseum
1976
- Toys, Games & CartoonsKids built and flew homemade saranggola (kites) in the summer
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Manila sound of groups like Hotdog and APO Hiking Society filled the radio
- Fashion & FadsDisco fashion arrived, with flared pants and shiny shirts
- EventsPaeng Nepomuceno won his first Bowling World Cup
- EventsThe Philippine International Convention Center opened in Manila
1977
- Toys, Games & CartoonsKids played patintero in the street until it got dark
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars opened in cinemas
- Fashion & FadsSaturday Night Fever made disco dancing the thing to do
- EventsThe Crispa-Toyota rivalry made PBA games must-watch
1978
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe robot anime Voltes V premiered on GMA and kids were hooked
- Music, TV & MoviesVST & Company's "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko" got everyone dancing
- Music, TV & MoviesFreddie Aguilar's "Anak" was a finalist at the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival
- Fashion & FadsDisco nights called for platform shoes and bell-bottoms
- EventsJollibee Foods Corporation was founded and began selling burgers
1979
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSony's Walkman portable cassette player went on sale
- Music, TV & MoviesEat Bulaga! premiered as a noontime show on RPN 9
- Fashion & FadsNora Aunor's film Annie Batungbakal brought disco to the big screen
- EventsThe world marked the International Year of the Child
1980s
1980
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Rubik's Cube twisted its way into kids' hands
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Empire Strikes Back opened in cinemas
- Fashion & FadsRoller skating was the cool thing to do
- EventsCebu held the first Sinulog festival parade
1981
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo's Game & Watch handheld games became a craze
- Music, TV & MoviesRaiders of the Lost Ark introduced Indiana Jones
- Fashion & FadsFeathered hairstyles were the look to copy
- EventsPope John Paul II visited and beatified Lorenzo Ruiz in Manila
- EventsMcDonald's opened its first restaurant in the Philippines
1982
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPac-Man munched dots in arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesNora Aunor starred in Himala at the Metro Manila Film Festival
- Fashion & FadsAerobics and leg warmers became a fitness fashion
- EventsLydia de Vega won the 100 m gold at the Asian Games
1983
- Toys, Games & CartoonsReturn of the Jedi brought a new wave of Star Wars toys
- Music, TV & MoviesMichael Jackson's Thriller video had everyone trying the moves
- Fashion & FadsKids tried to moonwalk like Michael Jackson
- EventsFormer senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was killed at Manila's airport
1984
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTransformers robots that turn into cars hit the toy stores
- Music, TV & MoviesThe children's show Batibot premiered
- Fashion & FadsThe movie Bagets made its teen fashion and slang a craze
- EventsLRT Line 1, Southeast Asia's first light rail, opened in Manila
1985
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSuper Mario Bros. came out for the Family Computer
- Music, TV & MoviesBack to the Future was the movie to see
- Fashion & FadsBreakdancing and parachute pants were all the rage
- Events"We Are the World" raised money for famine relief around the globe
1986
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Legend of Zelda launched on the Family Computer
- Music, TV & MoviesThat's Entertainment, Kuya Germs' teen variety show, premiered
- Fashion & FadsTop Gun made aviator sunglasses and bomber jackets cool
- EventsThe EDSA People Power Revolution took place and Corazon Aquino became president
1987
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe cartoon ThunderCats had kids shouting "Thunder, thunder!"
- Music, TV & MoviesVic Sotto's fantasy sitcom Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! premiered
- Fashion & FadsMullet haircuts were everywhere
- EventsA new Constitution of the Philippines was ratified
1988
- Toys, Games & CartoonsKids played Contra and other games on the "Family Computer"
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Japanese hero show Shaider premiered on ABS-CBN in Tagalog
- Fashion & FadsAcid-wash jeans were the look
- EventsArianne Cerdeña won bowling gold at the Seoul Olympics
1989
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo's Game Boy came out
- Music, TV & MoviesLea Salonga starred as Kim in Miss Saigon in London
- Fashion & FadsBatman logos were on shirts everywhere
- EventsThe Berlin Wall fell and the Cold War began to end
1990s
1990
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles took over cartoons and toy shelves
- Music, TV & MoviesHome Alone was the holiday movie of the year
- Fashion & FadsMC Hammer pants were on the dance floor
- EventsA strong earthquake struck Luzon in July
1991
- Toys, Games & CartoonsStreet Fighter II drew crowds at the arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesTerminator 2 was the action movie of the year
- Fashion & FadsNeon colors were the bright trend
- EventsMount Pinatubo erupted in June
- EventsManila hosted the Southeast Asian Games
1992
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSuper Mario World and other 16-bit games arrived
- Music, TV & MoviesThe kids' show Ang TV and the drama Mara Clara premiered on ABS-CBN
- Fashion & FadsScrunchies held up everyone's hair
- EventsBoxer Roel Velasco won a bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics
1993
- Toys, Games & CartoonsJurassic Park sparked a dinosaur toy craze
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Eraserheads released their debut album Ultraelectromagneticpop!
- Fashion & FadsFlannel shirts and the grunge look caught on
- EventsDaily brownouts were part of life during the power crisis
1994
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Lion King roared into cinemas and toy stores
- Music, TV & MoviesThe science show Sineskwela premiered for schoolkids
- Fashion & FadsRivermaya's debut made band T-shirts a must
- EventsManila hosted Miss Universe again
1995
- Toys, Games & CartoonsToy Story, the first fully computer-animated movie, came out
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Eraserheads released Cutterpillow
- Fashion & FadsBaggy jeans and oversized shirts were the look
- EventsMillions gathered in Manila for World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II
1996
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPlayStation rental shops popped up in neighborhoods
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Mexican telenovela Marimar became a nationwide phenomenon
- Fashion & FadsEveryone danced the Macarena
- EventsOnyok Velasco won a boxing silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics
1997
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTamagotchi virtual pets beeped in kids' pockets
- Music, TV & MoviesThe fantasy show Wansapanataym premiered on ABS-CBN
- Fashion & FadsSpice Girls style platform sneakers caught on
- EventsThe Asian financial crisis hit and the peso fell
1998
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFurby talking toys came out
- Music, TV & MoviesTitanic became the biggest movie of the year
- Fashion & FadsButterfly clips and spaghetti-strap tops were trendy
- EventsThe country celebrated 100 years of independence
1999
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPlayStation games like Crash Bandicoot ruled the rental shops
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Matrix wowed audiences with "bullet time"
- Fashion & FadsText messaging on Nokia phones took off
- EventsEfren "Bata" Reyes won the world nine-ball championship
2000s
2000
- Toys, Games & CartoonsEveryone played Snake on the Nokia 3310
- Music, TV & MoviesThe drama Pangako Sa 'Yo premiered on ABS-CBN
- Fashion & FadsGroup texts and "GM" messages were the new way to chat
- EventsMRT Line 3 opened along EDSA
2001
- Toys, Games & CartoonsGame Boy Advance came out
- Music, TV & MoviesHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone opened in cinemas
- Fashion & FadsSwappable Nokia phone covers were a must
- EventsManny Pacquiao won his first world title fight in the United States
2002
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCounter-Strike filled internet cafés after school
- Music, TV & MoviesSpider-Man swung into cinemas
- Fashion & FadsHip-hop style baggy jeans and jerseys were popular
- EventsSchools switched to the new Basic Education Curriculum
2003
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRagnarok Online launched in the Philippines and gamers flocked to internet cafés
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden aired on ABS-CBN and F4 became idols
- Fashion & FadsFriendster profiles and testimonials were the cool thing online
- EventsManny Pacquiao beat Marco Antonio Barrera
2004
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo DS came out
- Music, TV & MoviesThe fantasy series Mulawin premiered on GMA
- Fashion & FadsLow-rise jeans were in style
- EventsPacquiao and Juan Manuel Márquez fought to a draw
2005
- Toys, Games & CartoonsDotA took over computer shops
- Music, TV & MoviesPinoy Big Brother premiered on ABS-CBN
- Music, TV & MoviesThe fantasy series Encantadia premiered on GMA
- Fashion & FadsRubber wristbands in every color were worn as a cause
- EventsThe Philippines hosted the SEA Games and won the most medals
2006
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPSP handhelds were the gadget to have
- Music, TV & MoviesPinoy Dream Academy premiered on ABS-CBN
- Fashion & FadsCrocs clogs were seen everywhere
- EventsSM Mall of Asia opened by Manila Bay
2007
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo Wii got families swinging their arms at the TV
- Music, TV & MoviesGMA aired its own version of Marimar
- Fashion & FadsEmo hairstyles with long bangs were popular
- EventsArnel Pineda became the lead singer of Journey
2008
- Toys, Games & CartoonsGuitar Hero had friends rocking out on plastic guitars
- Music, TV & MoviesCharice sang on The Oprah Winfrey Show
- Fashion & FadsSkinny jeans were in fashion
- EventsManny Pacquiao beat Oscar De La Hoya
2009
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFarmVille on Facebook had everyone harvesting crops
- Music, TV & MoviesWonder Girls' "Nobody" was danced everywhere
- Fashion & FadsEveryone moved from Friendster to Facebook
- EventsManny Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton
2010s
2010
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAngry Birds flew onto phones
- Music, TV & MoviesJustin Bieber's "Baby" was everywhere
- Fashion & Fads"Jejemon" spelling became a meme
- EventsThe first nationwide automated elections were held
2011
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTemple Run had players dodging on their phones
- Music, TV & MoviesThe last Harry Potter movie came out
- Fashion & FadsPlanking photos took over social media
- EventsThe Puerto Princesa Underground River was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature
2012
- Toys, Games & CartoonsDraw Something was the game everyone played on their phones
- Music, TV & Movies"Gangnam Style" became a dance craze
- Music, TV & MoviesBe Careful with My Heart premiered on ABS-CBN
- Fashion & FadsInstagram filters were on every photo
- EventsKindergarten became part of basic education by law
2013
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCandy Crush Saga was the phone game of the year
- Music, TV & MoviesFrozen and "Let It Go" became a huge hit
- Fashion & Fads"Selfie" became the word of the year
- EventsThe K-12 law added Senior High School to basic education
- EventsTyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck the Visayas in November
2014
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFlappy Bird was the hard little game everyone tried
- Music, TV & MoviesThe teen romance Forevermore premiered on ABS-CBN
- Fashion & FadsThe Ice Bucket Challenge spread on social media
- EventsGilas Pilipinas played in the FIBA World Cup and beat Senegal
2015
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMinions merch was everywhere after the Minions movie
- Music, TV & MoviesAlDub on Eat Bulaga's "Kalyeserye" became a nationwide craze
- Music, TV & MoviesAng Probinsyano premiered on ABS-CBN
- Fashion & FadsSelfie sticks came out at every gathering
- EventsPope Francis visited the Philippines
- EventsPia Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe
2016
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon GO launched and players hunted Pokémon outside
- Music, TV & MoviesGMA aired a new version of Encantadia
- Fashion & FadsThe Mannequin Challenge videos went viral
- EventsSenior High School (Grades 11–12) opened nationwide
2017
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMobile Legends: Bang Bang became the phone game everyone played
- Music, TV & Movies"Despacito" played everywhere
- Fashion & FadsFidget spinners spun in every classroom
- EventsA law made tuition free at state universities and colleges
2018
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFortnite Battle Royale became a gaming craze
- Music, TV & MoviesAvengers: Infinity War was the movie of the year
- Fashion & FadsMilk tea shops popped up on every corner
- EventsCatriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe
2019
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Philippines won the first SEA Games esports gold in Mobile Legends
- Music, TV & MoviesSB19's "Go Up" went viral and P-pop took off
- Fashion & FadsTikTok dance challenges spread among teens
- EventsThe Philippines hosted the SEA Games and won the most medals
2020s
2020
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAmong Us became the game to play with friends online
- Music, TV & MoviesK-dramas like Crash Landing on You were a stay-at-home hit
- Fashion & FadsDalgona coffee and plant collecting "plantitos and plantitas" trended
- EventsCOVID-19 lockdowns began and classes moved to online and modular learning
2021
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAxie Infinity was a play-to-earn game craze
- Music, TV & MoviesOlivia Rodrigo's "drivers license" topped the charts
- Fashion & FadsSquid Game tracksuits became a costume favorite
- EventsHidilyn Diaz won the country's first Olympic gold medal
2022
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWordle had everyone guessing five-letter words
- Music, TV & MoviesMaria Clara at Ibarra premiered on GMA
- Fashion & FadsY2K fashion came back
- EventsSchools reopened for face-to-face classes after two years of online learning
2023
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Super Mario Bros. Movie brought Mario to cinemas
- Music, TV & MoviesBarbie was the movie of the summer
- Fashion & FadsPink "Barbiecore" outfits trended
- EventsThe Philippines co-hosted the FIBA Basketball World Cup
2024
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon TCG Pocket put card collecting on phones
- Music, TV & MoviesBINI's "Pantropiko" and "Salamin, Salamin" went viral
- Fashion & FadsPickleball became the trendy new sport to play
- EventsCarlos Yulo won two gymnastics golds at the Paris Olympics
2025
- Toys, Games & CartoonsLabubu blind boxes sold out as collectors lined up
- Music, TV & MoviesSB19's "Dam" kept P-pop on top
- Fashion & FadsMatcha drinks became the trendy order
- EventsAlex Eala reached the Miami Open semifinals