By 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Muelle Loney in Iloilo City Proper was already packed with revelers. Friends and families trooped earlier to the site for the designated community fireworks display.

As soon as the clock struck midnight, spectators cheered while enjoying the colorful display of fireworks that lasted over 20 minutes.

Revelers were seen taking selfies and making video calls to share their experience.

Dave Laxinto’s family came all the way from the Province of Antique to watch the fireworks display for the first time.

“It’s really different from what we experienced before pa. Thankful talaga ako. Okay talaga, maganda ang view, ang scene, na-appreciate talaga namin,” Laxinto said.

Mario Ramos, another spectator, was with family and friends for the second time to watch the display.

“Maganda dito, maayos, mapayapa. Sa pagtapos ng taon, happy ka talaga,” Ramos said.

There were groups strolling in the vicinity of the Iloilo River, meanwhile a group of friends from Barangay Baldoza, La Paz used drums as alternative noisemakers.

“Super saya talaga kasi makaka-iwas sa paputok. Hindi ka madisgrasya. Kahit pagod basta masaya ang lahat,” Giann Alarcon, one of the spectators, said.

In Barangay Alalasan, a group of friends was singing using a karaoke.

A group of men enjoyed watching fountain fireworks by the roadside in Javellana, Jaro District.

Amid different ways of welcoming the New Year, the most important thing at the surging in of 2026 was for people to be happy, their initiatives on protecting themselves against untoward incidents, and preventing the harming of others as well.