Marikina, Taguig to hold concert, street parties for New Year

Teodoro called on residents to take part and watch the Community-Based Fireworks Display to deter them from using firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices which can cause death, injuries or fires during the welcoming of New Year. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — The cities of Marikina and Taguig in Metro Manila are all set to welcome 2020 by holding firework displays and street parties.

In a continuing effort to urge people to refrain from lighting illegal and hazardous firecrackers that might cause deaths or injuries, the Marikina City government will once again hold its Community-Based Fireworks Display and Year-End Concert on December 30.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said these annual activities are being held for free to the public by the city government with the aim to lessen the incidents of firecracker-related injuries and damages to properties.

He said with the fun-filled activities to be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Marikina Sports Center, they want to have a safe and peaceful celebration of the New Year.

“We here in Marikina want everyone to be safe and to have a fun-filled celebration of New Year that’s why we hold Fireworks Display and Year-End Concert.

We celebrate this annually as a community and as a big happy family,” the mayor said.

He said performances from some of the country’s top bands — December Avenue, IV of Spades, and This Band — as well as the local talents of Marikina, will be showcased at the free concert.

Afterward, Marikina residents will be treated to a 15-minute long pyro-musical display.

Winnie Mariano, event manager of the Fireworks Display and Year-End Concert, said these events began in the late 1990s as the local government’s gift to all residents of Marikina every Christmas season.

Teodoro called on residents to take part and watch the Community-Based Fireworks Display to deter them from using firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices which can cause death, injuries or fires during the welcoming of New Year.

“This has become a tradition for Marikeños to watch the concert and fireworks display yearly. Not only residents of Marikina but also people from nearby cities such as Quezon City, Pasig City, and Rizal have come every year to watch the concert and the fireworks,” he said.

In 2018, some 70,000 people attended the back-to-back events.

For this year, a sufficient number of policemen will be deployed inside and outside the venue to ensure the safety of the public.

Meanwhile, in Taguig, all roads will lead to what is said to be the biggest street party in Metro Manila.

“New Year’s Eve is a festive time in the Philippines.

We follow a lot of traditions to usher in a prosperous New Year with our families and loved ones. We invite everyone to the City of Taguig as we witness 2020 Rising. The celebration will also be our way of giving thanks for the blessings of 2019,” said Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano.

The whole stretch of Bonifacio High Street at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) will be transformed into a huge party place on December 31.

BGC, ABS-CBN, the Taguig City government, Jack Daniel’s and ING, are all pitching in to ensure that this will be the grandest welcome to 2020 in the metropolis, with non-stop entertainment and easy access to the best dining spots and bars in the area.

“We at BGC always make it a point to put our BGCitizens at the heart of everything that we do, and as a new year comes, we want to bring together the community and their families to celebrate and thank them for the success of the year that was. As we welcome 2020 together, we’ve prepared a lineup of artists and performances that will make each and everyone feel at home, excited, and joyous for what’s about to come,” said Sean Luarca, BGC’s Marketing and Community Relations manager.

Taguig’s countdown to the new year will kick off with the celebration of a Holy Mass at 6 p.m., to be followed by performances by various artists including Jonalyn Viray, Itchyworms, Bamboo, Yeng Constantino, and Billy Crawford.