250K welcome 2026 at SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia drew an estimated 250,000 people as it hosted the GMA Kapuso Countdown to 2026 on New Year’s Eve, turning the seaside complex into one of the country’s largest public celebrations to welcome the new year.

Crowds filled Seaside Boulevard and key activity areas across the Mall of Asia grounds as live performances began at around 10 p.m. Attendees included Filipinos from various provinces and tourists, with some fans lining up early in the day and others flying in from overseas, including Japan, to witness the annual countdown event.

The program was hosted by Betong Sumaya, Christian Bautista, Tim Yap and Emma Tiglao, who kept the energy high as back-to-back performances carried the show toward midnight.

Kapuso artists led the entertainment lineup, with performances by Julie Anne San Jose, Rayver Cruz, Will Ashley, Vince Maristela, Faith da Silva, Angel Guardian, Charlie Fleming, AZ Martinez, international singer Bonnie Bailey, and other GMA Network talents.

The highlight of the night came with the performance of rising K-pop group AHOF, which headlined the final stretch of the countdown. Formed through the SBS survival show Universe League and debuting in 2025, the group has gained international attention for its performance-driven sound and choreography. The presence of Filipino member JL Gaspar drew particularly strong reactions from the crowd.

During the program, GMA Network also unveiled its lineup of offerings for 2026, adding a major announcement to the New Year’s Eve festivities.

As the clock struck midnight, the MOA Grand Fireworks Spectacle lit up the sky with a synchronized musical display featuring rapid-fire bursts, cascading effects, and high-altitude finales, signaling the arrival of 2026 and prompting cheers from the massive crowd gathered along the bay.