SOURCE: Jaymee T. Gamil
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Rizal Park visitors jumped to their feet, cheered, gasped in awe, clapped and blew toy horns as aerial fireworks set off behind the Musical Dancing Fountain at the Central Lagoon, heralded the New Year in Manila City.
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MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Rizal Park visitors jumped to their feet, cheered, gasped in awe, clapped and blew toy horns as aerial fireworks set off behind the Musical Dancing Fountain at the Central Lagoon, heralded the New Year in Manila City.
The park’s fireworks display lasted for around three minutes, but people remained on the lookout for others set off in nearby areas.
The crowd showed no signs of leaving minutes after midnight.
It was the first time the iconic park held a public New Year’s countdown.
An estimated 500,000 visitors, from across economic backgrounds and ages, came for the free show, most of whom came with families laid out blankets on the grass and brought their own media noche or midnight feast.
“Sana ang pagbabago ng Luneta ay simula na rin ng pagbabago nating lahat,” program host and TV personality Leila Chikadora said, before leading the 10-second countdown.
The celebrations began as early as 9 p.m., with a performance from the Lady Valerie Orchestra , which prompted some to dance.
Some parlor games were also initiated by the program’s hosts to entertain the crowd.
Music continued to play at the Central Lagoon after the countdown, where a stage and sound system were set up, along with the Musical Dancing Fountain, which will keep on dancing until 2 or 3 a.m. this Saturday.
No untoward incidents have been reported so far.
Alcoholic drinks, firecrackers and deadly weapons were confiscated at the entrances, said security officer Mads Carino, officer-in-charge of Variance Security, which was hired for the event.
Security was beefed up, with the Manila Police District deploying a hundred personnel in the vicinity.
There were also auxiliary forces from the villages around the park.
Around 50 personnel from the Philippine National Police, and five men from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were also deployed, Villegas said.
Police assistance desks and a first-aid station were set up, although they were busy assisting missing children, Carino said.
Around 50 kids, mostly below 7 years old, have lost their way in the park since Thursday but were soon reunited with their families.
The southbound lane of Maria Orosa St. corner Kalaw street was closed for the countdown celebration.
The crowd showed no signs of leaving minutes after midnight.
It was the first time the iconic park held a public New Year’s countdown.
An estimated 500,000 visitors, from across economic backgrounds and ages, came for the free show, most of whom came with families laid out blankets on the grass and brought their own media noche or midnight feast.
“Sana ang pagbabago ng Luneta ay simula na rin ng pagbabago nating lahat,” program host and TV personality Leila Chikadora said, before leading the 10-second countdown.
The celebrations began as early as 9 p.m., with a performance from the Lady Valerie Orchestra , which prompted some to dance.
Some parlor games were also initiated by the program’s hosts to entertain the crowd.
Music continued to play at the Central Lagoon after the countdown, where a stage and sound system were set up, along with the Musical Dancing Fountain, which will keep on dancing until 2 or 3 a.m. this Saturday.
No untoward incidents have been reported so far.
Alcoholic drinks, firecrackers and deadly weapons were confiscated at the entrances, said security officer Mads Carino, officer-in-charge of Variance Security, which was hired for the event.
Security was beefed up, with the Manila Police District deploying a hundred personnel in the vicinity.
There were also auxiliary forces from the villages around the park.
Around 50 personnel from the Philippine National Police, and five men from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were also deployed, Villegas said.
Police assistance desks and a first-aid station were set up, although they were busy assisting missing children, Carino said.
Around 50 kids, mostly below 7 years old, have lost their way in the park since Thursday but were soon reunited with their families.
The southbound lane of Maria Orosa St. corner Kalaw street was closed for the countdown celebration.
