Want to hobnob with celebrities while counting down to the start of 2024?  Two popular clubbing places in Newport World Resorts topped a mini-survey conducted among local celebrities about their preferred venue to spend New Year’s Eve this year.  Less than a year-old Kao Manila and longtime night owl hangout, House Manila, both in Pasay City, were mentioned as the planned go-to places of the stars recently surveyed by the Thrillmaker.  Then again, that is for those planning to stay in the big city.  The others who would rather stay out of the hustle and bustle of the metro also shared their intentions to welcome the New Year in a more “natural” setting.

MR. FU, Multi-media Personality. “I have never been a fan of explosive celebrations during New Year’s Eve.  Explosive!?! Me ganon?! Nakita ko kasi kung paano nasabugan sa kamay at sa mga katawan nila yung mga taong mahihilig magpaputok sa pag-welcome ng bagong taon ‘nung Police Reporter pa ako dati.  Kaya naman, personally, mas gusto ko yung quiet celebrations lang.  For this year, dinner lang siguro with the people closest to my heart. Closest to my heart!?! Me ganon?!!  Then after that, baka dalawin namin yung friend namin sa Newport World Resorts at maki-party sa kanya sa House Manila.  Some wining and dancing lang siguro gagawin namin to welcome the new year.”

EJ DREW, Social Media Influencer.  “I’ll be a working influencer on New Year’s Eve.  Pero work ‘yun na mae-enjoy ko, for sure.  I’ll be with some influencer friends sa Kao Manila at dun na kami magpapa-abot ng umaga.  It’s always nice to start the year while having fun with the people you’re most comfortable with.  Syempre, we all want to be happy as we welcome the new year para maging ganun din tayo for the rest of the year.”  

OLI SARA, International Celebrity Stylist. “I’m still unsure whether to spend New Year’s Eve in our home in Batangas or just stay in the city and party.  If I do decide to stay in the metro, I’d most likely be in House Manila until the break of dawn.  Doing that will bring back a lot of good memories.  House Manila will always have a soft spot for me kasi I was once a part of it during the earlier part of my career.”

MEIJI CRUZ, Miss CosmoWorld 2022. “My New Year’s Eve celebration this year will be slightly different.  While I will still be marking the start of the year in the company of my family, I plan to invite some of my Miss CosmoWorld Philippines girls to a party in Newport World Resorts, probably either at House Manila or Kao Manila.  I want to really unwind when the turn of the year happens, leaving all the bad vibes behind and giving 2024 a fresh, new start.”

CARLO MORRIS GALANG, Top Male Pageant Personality (Man of the World/Misters of Filipinas).  “The usual thing I do is spend it with my family in San Juan.  Kasi tradition na sa amin yun.  Every New Year, dapat sama-sama kaming buong family.  Pero this year, ang plano ko is to go to Kao Manila and party after dinner.  Masarap mag-party sa paglilipat ng taon.  We want a new year that is both fun and exciting.”

AKI TORRES, Actor/Model.  “Ako ang naka-assign na magluto ng spaghetti for my siblings in Mandaluyong this year.  I can't blame them, masarap talaga spaghetti ko.  After I do my chores at home, anything goes. Partying with family and friends will always be an option.  I have yet to decide where we’ll be going this year to party.”

DREI ARIAS, Actor/Pageant King.  “As a part of Net 25’s Star Center Artists, I will have the privilege to make people smile this New Year’s Eve.  I, together with the rest of my Starkadas, will be at the Philippine Arena to welcome 2024 with a grand New Year Show for the people.  That’ll take up much of my time that night, so I guess I’d probably go home to spend whatever’s left of the celebration with my family in Malolos.  That way, not only will I get to bond with my family, but I will also have the chance to catch up on sleep and take in some fresh air.  That’s a fresh start for a fresh, new year.”

MONIQUE TUZON, News Anchor.  “When my lolo was still alive, we would always check into a hotel and watch the midnight fireworks display from there.  What we usually do now is stay home with lola to have dinner with her and do the countdown at home.  During the day, I’d also try to help her put P20 coins on the stairway and cotton balls around the house.  She believes doing those will bring good luck for the family for the rest of the year.  Aside from wanting to celebrate quietly with the family, we also have to stay home to care for lola’s two dogs, who get so scared when they hear the firecrackers when the clock strikes 12.  We must be there to help them relax and not be scared.” 

We all know that “every ending is a new beginning” and that to make the most out of such transitions, we should ensure that the end and the beginning are both done on the same good and solid footing.  Once done, then embracing what has started fully will keep us moving forward.  As for me, it’ll also be a working New Year’s Eve until around 1 in the morning.  From there, I intend to take a quick trip to Destino Beach Club Dive Resort and Hotel and embrace the first day of 2024 in the cool waters and warm sands of Bauan, Batangas. I guess what that means is that it will be a chill and relaxed year, and I am looking forward to having it in the coming year.