2M people attend Rizal Park Countdown to 2012

Filipinos watch a fireworks display as they welcome the New Year at Manila's Rizal Park, Philippines on Sunday Jan. 1, 2012. AP

MANILA, Philippines–Hundreds of thousands of people massed at the Rizal Park in an all-night party to bid good-bye to 2011 and usher in the new year.

Kenneth Montegrande, managing director of the National Parks Development Committee, estimated that close to two million people, attended the “Rizal Park New Year Countdown” from Saturday night until Sunday morning.

They included whole families and their friends seated on mats or on the ground or simply standing around to watch a 15-minute long fireworks and live bands such as Imago, Sandwich, and Paramita performing on a stage .

Revellers were treated to games revolving around  Jose Rizal, whose 115th death anniversary was commemorated last Dec. 30, and also watched the awarding of winners of the NPDC’s photo contest dubbed “Larawan ng Masayang Pasko sa Rizal Park”.

Montegrande said that despite the mammoth crowd, security personnel were able to maintain “zero casualty, zero crime.’’

Ambulances with medical teams, fire trucks, various police units  were deployed to ensure the safety of the park-goers, added Montegrande.

The celebration, however festive in its mood, did not forget about the tragedies that took place in 2011, especially the misfortune recently caused by Tropical Storm Sendong.

“We suggested that they might want to donate a portion of their budget for celebrating the New Year for Sendong victims instead,” he added.

In a recent interview, NPDC executive director Juliet Villegas said that the public could share their blessings during the holidays to areas hard-hit by Sendong by joining in Rizal Park’s countdown to 2012 instead of having extravagant activities.

Responding to the call, a group of high school friends organized an outreach activity for less-fortunate children in Los Banos, treating  children to food and storytelling on Dec. 30. Annie Pamintuan said she and her friends decided to ship out old clothes to Sendong victims.