Makati’s New Year eve countdown party moved to UMak field; rerouting set

MANILA, Philippines — A promise of a fresh start for a “New Makati” will be the highlight of the city’s annual New Year’s Eve Countdown, which will be held at the University of Makati (UMak) Track and Field Oval, instead of the usual annual street party at the Central Business District.

The celebration dubbed as “Shout” will seek to unite residents in welcoming the New Year, according to Makati City Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña.

“The New Year’s Eve Countdown will serve as a fresh start for the city after being riddled with controversies for the past months. It will be a perfect time for us all to leave the past behind and steer the city together to a brighter future, with our hearts full of hope and optimism,” the mayor added.

Peña took over after Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay stepped down last July when he was suspended pending the investigation of the alleged overpriced Makati Science High School building.

He has since vowed to anchor his leadership on transparency and good governance and placed his focus on improving benefits for senior citizens and the residents of the city.

Asked about how this year’s countdown would be different from previous ones, Makati Public Information officer Gibo Delos Reyes said the celebration would be “for the residents of Makati.”

“Instead of having it in an area where only about 5,000 people can fit, the city decided to hold it in a venue where more residents can attend,” Delos Reyes told the Philippine Daily Inquirer noting that the UMak field can hold an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 people.

In previous years, the New Year’s Eve countdown in Makati is usually held along Ayala Avenue in the city’s central business district. But for the past two years, the local government unit decided not to have the yearly event to sympathize with the victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda and Typhoon Ruby.

The city’s information officer said moving the countdown to the UMak field would be Peña’s way of acknowledging the contributions of the ordinary residents to the progress of the city.

“Makati belongs to all its citizens whose day-to-day contributions have helped build the city and sustain its progress for many years now,” Peña said in a statement.

A 15-minute grand fireworks display is expected to be one of the highlights of the countdown, which will also be graced by performers like Bamboo, Kyle, KZ Tandingan and Ella Cruz.

In line with this, the stretch of the JP Rizal Extension from Lawton Avenue to Buting will be closed to vehicular traffic fromDec. 31 at 2 p.m. to Jan. 1 at 2 a.m., according to an advisory of the city government.

Motorists will be rerouted to Kalayaan Avenue going to C5 and Buting in East Rembo. Those who will come from Guadalupe-Edsa should turn right to Lawton Avenue, turn left to Kalayaan Avenue then right at C-5 Road to their destinations. Motorists going to Edsa-Guadaluppe are advised to take Kalayaan Avenue, right at Lawton Avenue then left to JP Rizal Extesntion to Guadalupe.  SFM