WANDER GIRLS & FRIENDS' TOP NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS

It's so interesting that whenever we ask people where they've spent their New Year's Eve, we often get intriguing and varying answers. And so, in true Wander Girls form, we've asked our friends to share with us their most unforgettable New Year's experiences...from way out in the provinces to foreign lands.

To our friends who shared their experiences and photos, WE thank you! :)

And as different as our ways of celebrating may be — from staying home with the family for Ysabs and Tin to partying in hotspots like Johanna — we all share one thing: spending it with loved ones.

A happy new year!

Ysabs. Tin. Johanna

the Wander Girls

NYE 2010 at Tides Hotel Boracay

" New Year 2010. I celebrated the end of the noughties at the rooftop of The Tides Hotel Boracay. Everybody was there to have a good time... and that we did many times over! A very blue moon shone above us as we, locals and foreigners alike, counted down til 12 midnight. The DJ then blasted the Kings of Leon's Use Somebody on the speakers, couples began their compulsory kissing, people started jumping in the pool wearing their party clothes, and fireworks lit up the sky like supernovas. A night for the books! "

- Johanna

Chappy, behaved this time.

" My most memorable and funniest New Years memory happened at home.  My brothers fed my dog Chappy lechon and placed alcoholic EggNog in his bowl.  The result?  A DRUNK dog, throwing up lechon and walking sideways!!  Poor Baby! !!"  

- Ysabs

Tin is currently on a trip :)

FRIENDS

" Times Square, New York because it's an exhilarating, head spinning experience to be in the center of the world in the New Year Countdown with the unbelievable blinding lights, modernity, technology, and energy amidst the multitudes of races from all over the globe! " 

- Doris Arguelles- Veloso

Doris, with husband Bill. New Jersey, 2009

" December 31, 1999. Sailing in the British Virgin Islands. Celebrated Bach Anal (old year) party at a bar named Foxy's in Josh Van Dyke. BVI with Jake, Robbie, Terrence and my parents. " 

- Dodie Poblete

" I never tried celebrating New Year in other places. It is best celebrated when with family." 

- Aya Abraham

Spent our New Year's at Wriggleswade Dam in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Camping gear + good friends + lots of booze and food + mud = good fun! :P – K.E.V

TOP: enjoying the campsite in South Africa
BOTTOM: Interesting rocks in Wriggleswade Dam, South Africa
FURTHER BOTTOM: the couple shot
all photos courtesy of K.E.V.

" I'm one of those few people who love the winter season,so I definitely am happy during winter..I love China's new year,and the memories I had still are very fresh.Boy,was it memorable!!Not only did I enjoy the chilly breeze,but the sights,sounds&food was amazing as well..China is indeed a place where enchanting things abound..Spending the holidays w/ your loved ones is always something I'm excited about,and being inChina at the same time made it oh so wonderful!! I actually left half of my heart there,and ill be looking forward to many more trips to this fascinating land..=) " - 

Jm Sumi

JM with her family, enjoying the China breeze
3 photos courtesy of JM Sumi

Ed's family making the Jump!
photo courtesy of Ed Santos II

 " (New Year's Memory) Jumping as high as we could at exactly 12mn para tumangkad" 

– Ed Santos II

" The best place I've spent my New Year was in Hong Kong back in 2006.  Aside from the fact we were in a different country, we were out on the streets waiting for 2007.  The fireworks, the weather and the first time experience paved its way to become my most memorable New Years Eve so far! It's because I usually spend my New Year's eve at my Lola's house, and this was something new for me back then :) "  - Paui Rodriguez

"(First New Year's Eve away from his family, who have all migrated abroad) Hilton Cebu was nothing special and their new year's party was too expensive! But I did enjoy Cebu and seeing the true Cebuano Culture. " - Francis Louie Mendoza 

 Francis at "very pink" Hilton

"  To jumpstart our first new year as an engaged couple we decided to take the plunge (literally) :)" 

 – Bart Tanjuakio and fiancé Daphne, in Vancouver, bungee-jumping 

(CONGRATS GUYS!!! )

 " Home (in Tondo) is still the best place for me. It is good to start a new year together with my family. " - Timothy De Belen

Tim running after the camels in Petra, Jordan

" Last year we were at White Beach in Puerto Galera. There was a party on the beach, lots of fireworks and we got entertained by fire dancers! " - Karen Tuason

Karen gets bundled up in Amsterdam

" The Fort or Eastwood in Libis is always a great place to celebrate new year's. There's a free concert on location, plus you can drink with friends while enjoying the fireworks. " - Jophet dela Cruz

New Year's Day Lights in Barcelona and  Lunch in Barcelona, Spain:

Top: Lechon at Fonda Gaig

Bottom: Fried Eggs, Fries and Foie Gras at Fonda Gaig

– Julia Morales 

"We spent New Year at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at Macau. Dinner first at Mezza9. Buffet for appetizer and dessert. Pick an entree for the main course. Attached is a photo of one of the 6 choices for the main course. Different grilled meats. After dinner, free entrance to the New Year celebration. Free with the dinner package. The champagne"stage" is the center piece. Sponsored by the champagne company. Free champagne during the party. Before the countdown, drummers where drumming (see photos). There was also a big screen to see the numbers count down. After the countdown, balloons fell. Instead of fireworks, the crowd stepped on the balloons to simulate the fireworks sound." 

- JM Guevara III 

4 photos on top and 4 on the bottom courtesy of JM Guevara III

New Year 2010 at Time's Square New York
Photo courtesy of Juvie Villaflor

" Memorable new year ... Our first new year at home.... and Times Square.  But not necessarily merry at Times Square as compared to Philippine new year celebration..." 

– Juvie, Bernadette, Pauline and Anton Villaflor

"This 2011, I spent it with high school friends I haven't seen for 10 years. Despite the rain and the cold weather, we went on a swim at the beach and we froze! We shared some good old stories."

- Madelle Alpapara

                                                                                                     

Peachie and her friends in Kuwait for the New Year's
Photos courtesy of Peachie Luzung
Photo edits: Jackie Lou Zalita

" Enjoying the New Year in Kuwait with friends from all over the world! "

– Peachie Luzung

 "Celebrating New Year's in Causeway Bay - the Ong style"

- Stefie Ong, Hong Kong

This is what a piccolo does to your fingers .. what more will a stronger paputok will do? 

– James Villamil 

(Very memorable indeed!)

i guess this year is the most memorable, being a tourist in my own hometown and the warm greetings of childhood friends, family and relatives. i wasn't able to come home last year (2010), so pati mga tarps on passing the bar is still everywhere. hahaha! parang celebrity although it's so awkward.
- Julius Estur of lakwatserongtsinelas.blogspot.com

Julius, not trying to be a tourist in Tacloban, Leyte

Kreme with her Mom in Taipei

"  On my way to board the train..to visit Taipei's Famous Night Markets. I love the Weather and most especially the nice people. ;)"

-  Kreme Seen, 

 on her Most Memorable New Year's Memory