(Eagle News Service) – Preparations are now underway for the biggest New Year countdown and musical extravaganza in the country at Ciudad de Victoria’s Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Organizers have already laid out the house rules for the Dec. 30-31 concert event which includes a drinking, smoking and gambling ban within the Ciudad de Victoria’s premises which is considered a no-smoking zone. Safety preparations are also set for the 2015 Philippine Countdown with a flurry of musical and fun activities starting today, Dec. 30, that will be capped tomorrow by a spectacular 30-minute fireworks display to light up the night sky in Bocaue, Bulacan, dubbed as the fireworks capital of the country.
The 2015 Philippine Countdown in Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan promises to be one of the best, even in the world, according to organizers, as it showcases two nights of star-studded concerts in the 20,000 seater Philippine Sports Stadium where some of the most popular local artists and bands will perform, and in the world’s largest mixed use theater — the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena.
It is here in this world’s largest domed arena where Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Chris Brown and local rock sensation Bamboo topbill the New Year’s Eve concert on December 31.
But there’s more to this than just two nights of star-powered concert. Because there are also carnival and carousel rides, circus acts, bazaars or tiangges, and other fun activities for the kids and the whole family that will be set up in the grounds of the 140-hectare Ciudad de Victoria.
“This is the perfect family bonding experience in welcoming the New Year,” said officers of Maligaya Development Corporation (MDC) which manages the Ciudad de Victoria, including the Philippine Arena and Philippine Stadium.
“Be part of the biggest New Year countdown and musical extravaganza in the country which the whole family will definitely enjoy,” said a statement from the organizers.
Iglesia Ni Cristo General Auditor minister Glicerio B. Santos Jr., said the INC has allowed the use of the Philippine Arena and of Ciudad de Victoria for this historic event where hundreds of thousands are expected to attend.
Santos said the the 2015 Philippine Countdown at the Ciudad de Victoria will make the Philippines stand out as a New Year countdown venue. This is because the Philippine countdown at the Philippine Arena will be comparable to those held in various landmarks in the world such as the Times Square in New York, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the London Eye in England, he stressed.
Proceeds of the two-day concert event will be used for projects intended for the benefit of victims of typhoon Ruby, he said, and for other charity projects of the FYM Foundation.
This will be the most complete and wholesome family experience, according to the Philippine Countdown organizers.
Hundreds of booths and “tiangge” stalls will be set up in the Arena grounds in support of small and medium sized enterprises. Also set up in the Ciudad de Victoria grounds are these attractions for kids and the whole family: a grand carousel, and a dozen more carnival rides, circus and acrobatic acts, performances by magicians, and eight inflatable playgrounds.
All this will be open starting this afternoon, December 30.
Aside from the concerts at the Philippine Stadium and at the Philippine Arena, there will also be a concert outside the arena, starting 9 p.m. of Dec. 31 where the New Year countdown will be staged. This will be hosted by broadcaster Noli de Castro.
Today, December 30, Tuesday, top OPM artists like Shamrock, Hajii Alejandro, the Voice Kids, Rey Valera, Asin, Coritha, Juan Rodrigo, FBC Rebirth, and Willie Nepomuceno will be performing at the Stadium, kicking off the two-day New Year concert extravaganza in Ciudad de Victoria.
Also today, inside the Philippine Arena, a Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko concert is also set topbilled by artists like Kathryn Bernardo, Snooky Serna, Leo Martinez, Victor Wood and Anthony Castelo.
Aside from R&B superstar Chris Brown and rockstar Bamboo, singers KZ Tandingan and Morisette, Enrique Gil, Sam Concepcion, Brisom, and Japan’s most sought-after dance group Tempura Kidz will be performing in the New Year’s eve concert at the Philippine Arena.
Adding more to the star power of the 2015 Philippine Countdown is the concert at the 20,000-seater Philippine Sports Stadium, also inside the vast Ciudad de Victoria grounds, where at least 16 of the top pop and rock artists and bands will perform on the same night, December 31.
Performing at the Philippine Sports Stadium on New Year’s Eve, are Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Rico Blanco, 6 Cycle Mind, Callalily, Imago, Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Parokya ni Edgar, Autotelic, Brisom, Kjwan, Sandwich, Silent Sanctuary, Spongecola, Up Dharma Down.
The ticket prices for the New Year’s Eve concert inside the Philippine Arena are as follows: Patron P3,605, Lower Box A P3,300, Lower Box B P2,165, Upper Box P1,340 and General Admission is at P725.
An entrance fee of P500 allows one to experience two night of concerts—from Dec. 30 to 31 — at the Philippine Stadium where top local artists and bands will perform, as well as the “Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko” concert at the Philippine Arena on Dec. 30, and the various carnival attractions and bazaar experience in the Ciudad de Victoria grounds.
Tickets for the Dec. 31 Chris Brown concert also serve as an access-pass to all other concert venues.
This is the first concert event to be held at the Philippine Arena which was declared by Guinness World Records as the largest mixed-use theater in the world.
The 2015 Philippine Countdown signals the start of such yearly countdown events at the Philippine Arena.
Organizers said that for those who would want to be part of this event, tickets are still available at Ticketnet. It can be purchased online at www.ticketnet.com.ph or at Tickenet outlets. For inquiries, call the Ticketnet Hotline at 911-5555.
