Starting the year in full color

Makati welcomed the new year in full color as thousands gathered along Ayala Avenue for the Make It Makati New Year’s Eve Countdown — a night packed with music, nostalgia, laughter, and moments people will probably be talking about long after the fireworks faded.

The celebration eased in with performances from XCEGON and DJ Cupcakes, who slowly built up the energy and warmed up the massive crowd. Their sets didn’t rush anything; instead, they steadily guided everyone into the celebration, letting excitement grow naturally as the night went on.

Then Juan Karlos Labajo took over and completely shifted the mood. The cheers grew louder the moment he stepped onstage. Singing hits like “Demonyo,” “Ere,” and “Shot Puno,” he turned the avenue into one giant sing-along. People were jumping, screaming, and shouting lyrics like confessions, the kind of crowd moment where strangers briefly felt like friends.

Theater fans got their turn next, lighting up when Theatre Group Asia gave a glimpse of their upcoming production of A Chorus Line. It felt like a love letter to theater kids and musical lovers in the crowd — a reminder that live performance isn’t just entertainment, it’s storytelling, dreams, and community rolled into one. For a few minutes, it almost felt like the city paused to just appreciate art.

Sofronio Vasquez III followed, and the mood softened again. The winner of The Voice US delivered a performance that didn’t rely on spectacle, just pure emotion. His voice carried through the avenue, tender and steady, especially when he sang “Superman,” a song he produced with Michael Bublé. It was one of those quiet highlight moments of the night — powerful without trying too hard.

From heartfelt to hilarious, the energy shifted once more when the Divine Divas hit the stage. The atmosphere instantly turned brighter, louder, and a little chaotic — in the best way. 

Glitter, humor and diva energy took over as Vinas Deluxe transformed into Mariah Carey, Brigiding embodied Lady Gaga, and Precious Paula Nicole owned her Beyoncé moment. They didn’t just impersonate; they performed — confidently, unapologetically, and with so much personality that the crowd couldn’t help but scream, laugh, and cheer.

Then came Morissette. As soon as she began singing, the noise softened and people just listened. Her vocals filled the avenue effortlessly, emotional but controlled, and by the time she performed “Golden” from K-Pop: Demon Hunters, the night felt warm again — like a deep breath in the middle of the chaos.

Cup of Joe brought things right back up with a set that tapped into different feelings all at once. Their songs made people move, smile, sing, and even get a little sentimental. The crowd wasn’t just watching — they were reacting, connecting and feeling every shift in tone.

And then, the moment that instantly changed the energy of the night: Ely Buendia. For many, this wasn’t just another performance — it was history stepping onstage. Singing Eraserheads classics like “Alapaap,” he united different generations in the crowd. Parents, teens, longtime fans, and first-timers sang together, creating a moment that felt both nostalgic and alive in the present.

Finally, as the countdown began, the city held its breath. The crowd shouted in unison, voices blending into one as the numbers dropped. When the clock struck midnight, fireworks exploded across the Makati skyline, confetti rained down, and the sky lit up in blazing color. 

People hugged, cheered, cried a little, and smiled a lot — welcoming a new year with noise, light and hope.