After having a mall visit, food trip and movie screening in SM Marikina, me and my sister Misyel went to the Marikina River Park to check out this year ender event and fireworks display at the Marikina Amphitheater, I just go the info of this event from Iris' blog and we got a last minute plurk discussions on who will be there to watch, and it seems that everyone participated are from Marikina and near the area. And because that we live near Marikina, its a short walking distance from our place in Santolan and taking a quick under ground shortcut from SM Marikina, we arrived there in the riverbank in no time.
Then we saw a big number of people already formed in the whole riverbank and they are watching the live band concert in front of the floating stage by the river,and we approached the entrance area and we landed in the VIP section, Then I met Ada and Sabrina near us, and she told us that Carl is inside, after texting Carl, he showed up coming from behind, ahahah we thought that he's inside the VIP section taking photos, but he told me that he's hanging out with the TipidPC guys in a bar above the riverbank. Then Carl spearheaded a talk with the event committee and then we were surprised that we got in at the VIP and there we did the photo blog coverage for everyone! wow!!! thanks Carl, and look at it, we are seated at the Marikina official section, infront of the stage hahahha. ( read more below)
Periodico band was the last performing artist we saw that night, and then the Mayor of Paranaque came up on stage and did a song number for everyone, before the performance, I just heard that there were theater plays and drama, and also lots of dance number by students and performing groups from Marikina.
The attendance is estimated to a number of 60,000 people who came from Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Cainta, Antipolo and Manila. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando was there also in support to his wife, Mayor Marides Fernando. Chairman Bayani went up on stage and reminded everyone not to throw their trash in the river and help them to clean it up and restore the river's life and environment, he also promoted the next project on having a major clean up of the whole river in the coming year.
After some short talks and program, the main event started with the live music intro by the Apo Hiking Society band and then followed by Buboy, Danny and Jim of the Apo Hiking Society, they perform the timeless classic music and hits, also some cover songs and new songs. It was a great experience for me to watch the APO live, and it was my first time to see them perform and it was the best! I'm glad that I saw them live and it is a mind blowing experience listening to Original Pilipino Music of OPM as it best. And after the 2 hour performance, Mayor Fernando went up on stage with the City officials to have a ceremomy and oath with the whole people in the venue, it was like an oath with list of city ordinance that they should follow always, and I got surprised on those ordinance and might be the reason why Marikina people are well organized and disciplined in terms for peace, order, and cleanliness.
After a few minutes, and 30 minutes early before 12 midnight, the fireworks lit up the sky, and stayed on my seat, almost lying and staring up the sky, as my companions are busy taking photos and video, nice to hear everyone shouted "wow" everytime a big fireworks explodes in the sky, and after that a big happy new year shout and hugs from everyone.
Video of the fireworks display
it was an early New Year Celebration for us for 2009. and glad that we were there to post this blog coverage for all.
wohohohohh...Happy New Year everyone!!!!!
2009...here we come!
more photos in Year ender concert and fireworks in Marikina Riverpark
check out Ada's photo coverage http://starsapphire04.multiply.com/photos/album/227
Ada, Carl and me
with Mayor Fernando
Apo Hiking Society
