| New Year Countdowns happen all over the planet, and some make them their yearly tradition like in New York City where they drop “The Ball” upon reaching zero. In Australia, the Sydney Harbour Bridge gets to blow up some major fireworks for their countdown, and in Manila, it depends on which part of the city or province you are there will always be fireworks.
But if you are from Makati City, chances are you’ve been celebrating the yearly countdown since it became part of the experience ever since it started in 2000. There’s not much of a consistency. Before the 2000 countdown, which was held at the intersection of Ayala and Makati Avenues there never was this tradition. |
By 2004, the Makati Government made sure it would be the thing people would have a memory of, which started in 2004 until 2013. The year after it was moved to a smaller venue in a school campus until 2016. There never was a well-organized New Year Countdown in Makati since 2013 was canceled and all the funds for it were diverted into efforts for those who were victims of Super Typhoon Ruby.
I was never a fan of celebrating New Year’s outdoors, and mostly spent the day leading up to the countdown indoors. The first time I spent the New Year outside Metro Manila was in 2010/2011. Then in 2013, it was my first trip to Australia spending the summer up to welcoming the new calendar year. The following year also happened with my second trip back to Adelaide.
For the next two years from 2016 to 2018, I was away and spent the next years experiencing life in South Australia. During the New Year for 2017/2018, I spent that bit after work at Glenelg and it was quite the experience seeing the jetty lit up for the fireworks. Coming back here in 2018 for the next five years which includes spending indoors during the height of the pandemic there was no countdown.
Recently, there was one being prepared at the same location as the last one that was celebrated in 2012 to welcome the New Year for 2013. The streets have been closed and traffic has been rerouted while the main stage was being built at the intersection.
I’ve never had this experience walking on the closed street of Ayala Avenue that ends at the Paseo de Roxas. It was late when I got to the area to even get close to the stage that was being tested for light effects. There are several people after watching the light show at Ayala Triangle Gardens spilled out into the closed street to have their photos of the street ornaments.
The streets will be busy by Sunday even before the 7 pm call time, and it will going to be loud. I couldn’t recall much of the experience, but by 2011 that was the time I was there late in the evening. The following year was a blur being away the most while living in South Australia and spending the cold nights indoors after that New Year walking home past 2 am certainly brings back memories.
This event will surely create new memories for everyone, and I might be around the area too. But not for the main event. For now, enjoy the images of the closed street section of the Makati CBD and get ready to Welcome the New Year.
For more about upcoming events in the City of Makati follow them via social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at: @MakatItMakati
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