So I read the Time 100 List this year, and here's all I had to say.

Influence is defined as the power to affect people’s thinking or actions. Only very few people in this world have the strong personality to change and shape the world. That is why in the May 12, 2008 issue of TIME Magazine, the editors honored the 100 Most Influential People in the World in the year 2008. I have heard of this list a lot of times before and when I saw the cover, I already had some bets in mind. Well, most of my picks made the list. I would want to share some of the people who deserved to be there in my eyes.

The first two people that came into mind were Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both vying to make American history as the first Black and Woman president, respectively. Their strong personalities and determination to make a difference in America gave them one easy ticket to the list.

Also on the list were Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, also not a shocking entry on the list. It is very obvious that they deserve the spot on the list because of the non-stop charity work to people all around the world. That is why the married couple was named goodwill ambassadors to the United Nations. It is a good thing to now that there are still people who help, not because of fame but because it is for the best.

Then we have the only person who has made it to the list every time in the 5 year-history of the TIME 100 --- Oprah Winfrey. The reason for why she is on the list again in very simple. Just like everyone else, they made it on the list because they INSPIRE. Oprah is no doubt, one of the best talk show hosts the world can offer. In her whole career, she has molded a relationship with the viewers and inspired people from different walks of life.

Others made in on the list because simple things they have created have moved lives everywhere like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus and Twilight’s Stephenie Meyer.

The question that intrigued me was the one written in Garry Shandling’s dedication to Judd Apatow and I quote: “A story about TIME 100’s most influential people, but who is No. 101”. Apatow made a point when he posed this question. I myself have put my own picks for the 101^st.

I would love to see the return of Tyra Banks to the top 100 list because she really has done a lot to the entertainment career. Aside from being a model, although not being as fit as she used to be, she has helped several women in her show. Her charity, the “So What? Movement” builds self-confidence among people, something that is really needed in the people today. Although she may not be as good as Oprah, she is still respectable in her own ways.

Also on my list would be Beyonce Knowles. Her success in the music industry has been well-documented. In her short career, she has achieved a lot, making multi-platinum CDs, concerts, records and magazine covers. Her massive appeal to the people makes her deserving to be on the list.

The third person I would want to feature would be Heidi Klum. Also one of Germany’s top models can be considered influential because aside from her hosting in hit show Project Runway which had massive ratings in their latest season, she and her husband Seal also spend time doing charity work to several charities. She also spends her time designing fashion accessories to women around the world. Her resilience and time management with work and family can be given recognition for being someone unique in different ways.

The fourth and final person, who I whanted to be on the list, was Al Gore. It was a shocker that he did not appear on this year’s list despite his great career. After leaving politics, he decided to focus more on the environment. In the past year, he helped save the environment by funding the Live Earth concert, making a documentary, The Inconvenient Truth and many more efforts to save the Earth. It really is shocking to see someone who moved the world, and win a Nobel Peace Prize for it, to not appear on this list.

This list showed us that 100 people, in 100 ways, can change the world. Not all of them are known by the whole world. Not all of them may have a title. But no doubt about it, they have done some efforts to make the world a better place.

Be it stocks, politics, fashion, books even video games, they proved that we can all go the extra mile in changing the world. As long as we are strong, we can fight criticisms, pain and suffering so that the world will be a better place.