LONDON - From the gripping tales of escaping evacuees to a royal wedding, religious rites and celebrations, sentimental goodbyes and triumphs, to interviews with controversial people and exclusive footage -- ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau delivered the news in 2011.

Arab Spring

When a wave of demonstrations and protests, dubbed as Arab Spring, began in the Middle East in December last year, many OFWs were caught in the middle of ripening revolutions, civil wars and uprisings.

There have been revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and civil war in Libya resulting in the collapse of leaders and governments.

In early 2011, OFWs started fleeing Egypt and Libya via various strategic exit points in Europe: Malta, Greece, Germany, Spain, Italy and France. Composed of seasoned correspondents based in key European cities, the Europe News Bureau reported breaking news and developments on the repatriation of Filipinos.

Malta lies in the Mediterranean and is not far from Libya’s coast. Its capital city of Valletta saw the arrival of fleeing refugees, including Filipino evacuees working in war-torn Libya.

“Sa lahat, ako lang ang unang nakaalis. Hindi ko akalain na makalabas ako,” said X-Ray technician Desie Cajumnal, who was one of the first evacuees to disembark from the HMS Cumberland of the British naval force.

“Yung mga Pilipino tulungan nila. Di natin alam ang sitwasyon doon. kawawa sila,” said Marion Confessor, another evacuee.
“Ang inaasahan lang po namin yung foreign nationals, kaya doon kami kumakapit,” added Jerry Sahagun.

In Greece, a chartered M/V Ionian Queen arrived with stranded Filipinos from Benghazi and Tripoli.

“Kami ay dumaan sa butas ng karayom, salamat  sa Diyos at kami nakarating dito,” said Arnorld Gaser speaking with ABS-CBN Europe upon the arrival of the M/V Ionian Queen on Crete Island, Greece.

“Nakahinga-hinga po ng maluwag lalo na ng makita namin ang ABS-CBN. Yung isa kong anak nauna, sa Dubai dumaan, sa Tunisia, mas mahirap ang dinanas nila,” said Jerome Napay.

“Sana naman makarating kami ng maluwalhati dyan sa Pilipinas. Kasi malungkot ang mga dinanas doon,” said a teary-eyed Rodora Paltado.

Some of the Pinoy evacuees stayed on the Island of Crete for another three days or so to wait for their flight back to the Philippines.

Wedding of the Century

In April, the world stage shifted to the United Kingdom for the royal wedding of university sweethearts Kate Middleton and the heir to the British throne, Prince William.

The much-anticipated royal wedding drew crowds from all over the world. The extensive coverage took the team from the quaint village of Bucklebury, Berkshire, home to the Middletons, to St. Andrews University, Scotland where Kate and William met and fell in love, to Wales, where the Royal Air Force base for Search and Rescue helicopter pilot Prince William is located.

The run-up to the wedding culminated with live reports from Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace on April 29.

Pope John Paul II, London riots

ABS-CBN chief correspondent Korina Sanchez headed the team in reporting live from the Vatican City for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. The Europe News team was also in the thick of action during the World Youth Day celebration in Madrid, Spain.

In August, images of conflagration, arson, violence and rioting in London were beamed across the world. Many, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron, were overwhelmed by the unprecedented violence that erupted in the deprived boroughs of London.

In two days, the rioting spread to some cities in England. The disenfranchised youth and hordes of gang members only buckled down when police presence increased.

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau captured exclusive footage of the attacks in Clapham Junction in London and followed it up with reports on the rebuilding efforts by the locals days after.

Farewell to Harry Potter

For Harry Potter fans, the end of an era arrived in July with the screening of the last film of Harry Potter franchise. People from all over the world connected with the characters created by J.K. Rowling. 

The first Harry Potter book was published 14 years ago, and since then, the books sold hundreds of millions of copies and its film adaptation grossed billions at the box office.

At the premiere of the last film, Europe News Bureau joined the fans in bidding farewell to some of the most-loved heroes from the world of Harry Potter.

Miss World, Iggy and Ramona

When the Miss World beauty pageant returned to London for its 60th birthday, Europe News Bureau was there to document the sparkle of the Philippines’ bet to the pageant. Gwendoline Ruais bagged the Miss World second runner-up crown during the coronation night at Earl’s Court arena.

Europe News Bureau also chased down controversial people for interviews. When Congressman Iggy Arroyo was summoned in the Senate for his alleged involvement in the anomalous PNP chopper deal with brother former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, he spoke with ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau to clear his name.

“I have been coming here for the past six years and this time may nahanap silang revolutionary drug. Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling and I come all the way to London for my treatment,” said Arroyo.

"This government is so incompetent. Sino ang most hated people ngayon? Ang mga Arroyo. So, ibintang natin lahat sa Arroyo,” he added.

In Turkey, ABS-CBN correspondents also followed Ramona Revilla, one of the suspects in the killing of her brother Ramgen Revilla, son of former senator and action star Ramon Revilla Sr. The team found her residential address but the elusive Ramona was reported to have left Turkey.