Due to the pandemic, the establishments featured in this article might be enforcing their own set of health protocols and requirements. Please coordinate with the management before visiting.
The New Year celebration has gone by quickly. Most of us are still probably eating last Media Noche’s dishes, but aside from the food, the fireworks, and family, there’s also the special place where people always go to welcome the New Year. In welcoming the year, some chose to celebrate at home, while some opted to start the year with a bang and party the night away.
If you’re curious where most Filipinos chose to celebrate the New Year, read the results of our survey and see if your favorite spot made the list as well.
Three places made it to the fourth spot on our list: Antipolo, Dusit Thani, and Riverbanks Center.
The beautiful view from Seven Suites Hotel Observatory in Antipolo
Image: Seven Suites Hotel Observatory Facebook Page
Although it’s not a popular tourist destination, unbeknownst to many, Antipolo offers a great overlooking view of Metro Manila which is perfect for viewing fireworks at night. If you want to see the best of what Antipolo has to offer, Seven Suites Hotel Observatory is located in the area. It is a hotel that houses the fourth largest telescope in the country. Take a peak and see a great view of Manila from above or wait for some falling stars while you’re there.
Enjoy a hearty meal when you celebrate at The Pantry in Dust Thani.
Image: Dusit Thani Manila
Another entry on the fourth spot is Dusit Thani in Makati. This Thai-themed hotel is known as one of the top hotels in the country and also among the best places to celebrate New Year. Even if the New Year celebrations have already ended, you can still enjoy a night at Dusit Thani as it offers world-class accommodations and a sumptuous buffet at its restaurant, The Pantry.
Riverbanks Center welcomes the New Year with a carnival, concert, and fireworks display.
The last one in the fourth spot is Riverbanks Center in Marikina. Riverbanks Center is known as a great leisure spot in Marikina especially for those who want to get close to Mother Nature. Come December, it turns into a festive little Christmas town filled with carnival rides and bazaars. Riverbanks Center is also a popular location in welcoming the New Year as it hosts star-studded parties before the year ends.
3. Home
Celebrating the New Year at home is still one of the best options to many.
The third best place to celebrate the New Year is at home. For the people who prefer to welcome the incoming year with their family, the home is still the best place to celebrate. Aside from the free and delicious homemade food, staying at home is also safer as it is far from the firecrackers in the streets.
Studies also show that spending time at home with your family whether it’s the holidays or not has great benefits. It helps relieve stress, creates lasting memories, and nurtures positive behaviors especially to children [1].
Image: National Parks Development Committee Facebook Page
The place that took the second spot is Rizal Park. Just like during Christmas, Rizal Park is also a favorite place among Filipino families to welcome the New Year. Aside from bringing Media Noche and eating it together at the park, people also enjoy the concert and fireworks display that the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) hosts every year.
A star-studded concert and fireworks display makes SM MOA the best place to celebrate the New Year.
Image: SM Mall of Asia Official Facebook Page
The best place to celebrate New Year is at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA). SM MOA and GMA 7 have been teaming up for years to bring one of the best New Year’s celebrations in the Philippines. With the help of television network GMA 7, SM MOA becomes one of the best places to welcome the New Year every year as they bring some of the biggest artists in the country in one concert. Aside from the star-studded concert, they also end the night with a marvelous fireworks display.
Visit Yoorekka to find more sweet spots in Metro Manila!
Where did you welcome the New Year? Let us know in the comments section below.
Results are based on the Places to Celebrate New Year in the Philippines 2017 Poll posted at the home page of ShoppersGuide.com.ph from December 18 to December 24, 2017.
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions wherever you go. Have a great trip!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on January 07, 2018.
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although
careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all
information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended
to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.