New Year’s Eve and 1^st of January are some of my top favorite days of the year.  Since something came earlier than anticipated and it got me on a moody sprint for 3 days, I didn’t plan anything for the New Year except go watch some fireworks and hear good music.

Madz picked me up past 10pm and it was close to pinching a nerve since it’s the 2^nd consecutive time she was late and I didn’t want to be late in meeting Val and Cha, who spent New Year Eve’s with us last year as well at the Ayala New Year’s Event Countdown.

When we got to Eastwood Activity Center, it was already crawling with people.

But like a blessing, we were able to find a not so bad spot on the bridge with a good view of the side of the stage.  It wasn’t the greatest but it definitely could have easily been a worse spot gauging at the size of the crowd by the time we arrived.

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I cringed missing the Up Dharma Down set by half an hour.  Close to 11pm, things were already rolling and the hosts introduced the co-main event of the night… Bamboo, who I had an ultimate crush on many years ago.  I remember having to be an event photographer for one of his concerts for Asia Brewery in 2006 by CW’s request.  Even if I just had to click on the shutter button, it was so hard to concentrate as most of the time I was just gaping by the edge of the stage watching him perform.  I was inches or a couple of feet away from him –almost the only one near/fronting the stage.  It took a lot not to go up and just give him a big hug.  Okay, the bouncers nearby with fridge for a chest had a lot to do with the decision.

Bamboo was the best act of the Eastwood Countdown event.  People were cheering and singing with him.  The energy of the immense crowd was building up and everyone was just full of good vibes.   Maddie and I were shouting like buffoons and rocking it with him, not caring about anyone else moving a few inches away thinking we just got out of the asylum.  It was also heartwarming when he asked for a moment of silence for the earthquake and Yolanda victims, showing a video snippet of the devastation and unity that the tragedy brought.  The photos showed Filipino resiliency and how strong our hearts are.  It was a prelude to his song, Pinoy Ako.

Jessica Sanchez followed Bamboo’s segment.  Shortly, it was close to midnight.  The hosts came back on stage with both main acts, Viber’s brand manager and Megaworld’s President Kevin Tan.  The countdown ensued and at the end of it, the fireworks painted the night sky.  I called home and greeted my family a Happy New Year.  I wish they were with me again this year.  But hearing their voices and communicating the love were good enough that night.

Even if we weren’t able to bond much with Val and Cha that night, we didn’t miss the chance to take a few photos together.

I wanted to hang out more but saw that Cha’s eyes looked very tired.  They were at the venue since 6pm and had dinner at Eastwood so we had to let them go.  Sharwin joined us that night and kept me and Madz company.

I don’t know if we expended his energy but we tried to be on our best behavior.

An hour after the countdown, JM joined us and we headed to the Fort for some dance music.  Fort was packed!  Urbn and Aracama both had lines even at 3am.  We considered going to Skye but after the difficult parking, just ended up staying in the area already.

Despite the sort-of-funny crowd, Maddie and I somewhat danced the night-dawn away and just reveled in the music.  We were still in our best behavior.  🙂