LOOK: Pia Wurtzbach spends New Year's Eve in Times Square

MANILA - "This is beyond exciting."

These were the words of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach after she spent New Year's Eve at the famed Times Square and celebrated the arrival of 2016 by witnessing the traditional dropping of the crystal ball.

On the official Facebook page of Miss Universe on Friday, the 26-year-old Wurtzbach posted a photo of her in New York. The caption read: "I just watched the ball drop! This is beyond exciting - New Year's [Eve] here is the best!"

In an earlier post, the Filipina-German beauty queen also recalled the year that was. She wrote: "First of all. Thank you, Lord! ...When everything seemed unreachable or impossible, You found a way."

"I trained well and despite all the challenges, everything fell into place and I finally got the crown the whole country has been waiting for for 42 years. It is true. Focus on the ordinary and God will take care of the extraordinary."



She also thanked her team and those who supported her journey to the Miss Universe crown, including her Filipino fans.

"Thank you for cheering and rooting for me. Whether you were a die hard supporter at the Axis Theater in Las Vegas or just a silent supporter watching me from TV, thank you," Wurtzbach continued.

"I've never been more proud to be a Filipina. I'll never forget it. It was a proud yet humbling experience. And now as I continue on with my journey as Miss Universe, I hope I inspired you all. Not just my fellow countrymen but all of you."

"Keep your faith, fight for what you believe in and hold on to your dreams! They do come true! I know I still have much to learn and a huge responsibility ahead of me... So thank you 2015 and bring it on, 2016!"

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

HK ushers in 2012 with spectacular pyrotechnic show

On New Year’s Eve (31 December), multi-colored “shooting stars” glided across the sky above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, while a “golden dragon” spiralled up the iconic building Two ifc. These auspicious motifs created by pyrotechnics were part of the 5th Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the supporting sponsor. The event instilled great excitement among the Hong Kong people and visitors, as they wished for a better year in 2012.

The officiating ceremony of the Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations was performed by the event’s Guest of Honor Mr Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), who was accompanied by Mrs Tsang; Mr James Tien, HKTB Chairman; Mr Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR; Sir C K Chow, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, supporting sponsor of the event; and Hong Kong’s 40-millionth visitor in 2011 Ms Nancy Ryan from Chicago, US.

The Countdown Celebrations featured a total of 10 buildings on Hong Kong Island, including Two ifc. The event took on the theme “Soaring Dragon with a Happy Heart”, which ties in perfectly with the Year of the Dragon on the lunar calendar. Beginning at 11pm on 31 December, pyrotechnics were launched atop the 10 buildings every 15 minutes to create shooting stars in four colors, symbolising luck in career, health, fortune and love in 2012.

Entering the final 10 seconds of 2011, visitors and local residents on both sides of Victoria Harbour began counting down in unison along with the numeric countdown generated by pyrotechnics atop the 10 buildings. When the clock struck midnight, a large-scale pyrotechnic show lasting four minutes commenced, against the music of the theme song written by Hong Kong-based music producer and composer Mr Chiu Tsang Hei. The show reached a climax when the greetings “Happy New Year” appeared on the rooftops of the buildings, while a “golden dragon” encircled Two ifc to allude to a vibrant Hong Kong economy in 2012.

Besides providing major news media worldwide with satellite feed, the HKTB broadcast the event live on Weibo to showcase the entire Countdown Celebrations to the global audience. Catering to the Hong Kong viewers, the Jade Channel of the Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) also offered live broadcast of the pyrotechnic show and the accompanying performances.

source:gmanetwork.com