There was a street party/concert of sorts sponsored by Ayala Corp and the City of Makati. However, we didn’t go out until 10 pm because we’re lazy like that. My brother’s family joined us but they parked their car at Ayala Center and just walked to our hotel.

I wasn’t really that into the concert, I just want to watch people and study society in general. My older sister brought folding stools so we had an easier time compared to the rest of humanity, which the organizers claimed to have swelled to 21,000 people by midnight.

Here are my observations:

1. The crowd is predominantly middle class and there were a lot of foreigners in the crowd. I guess they are a mix of the Makati-dwelling expat community (mostly from Salcedo and Legazpi Villages) coming out of the woodwork and tourists billeted at the five-star to four-star hotels around the area.

2. Seventy percent of the population there was recording everything and has forgotten how to be in the moment. Everything has to be for social media content and it seems like everyone is a digital/content creator. People are walking around with their phone screens facing them (either using hands with outstretched arms, selfie sticks, or gimbal) as they video themselves walking and not minding where they are going. 🤦🏻‍♀️ They’re not watching or actively listening to the concert but rather they are watching everything through the camera lens of their phones as they prioritize recording for uploading on social media.

3. People are lazy. They leave their trash wherever they happen to be even if there are roving cleanup boys of Makati City/Ayala Center dragging trash bags where they can throw their rubbish. 🤷🏻‍♀️

4. Regine Velasquez performed for an hour and she has a wide variety of songs in her repertoire. My sister wondered how much was her talent fee for this.

5. My sis-in-law is very much in tune with pop culture and she knew almost everyone on stage. In contrast I can only name one performer, which is Regine. 🫣

6. Next time I’ll book Discovery Primea because they have nicer views.

7. They need more foodstalls.

8. For those who may be interested to be in the countdown but hate the crowd, the Ayala Triangle park is the best place for them. I would have chosen to station myself there but I don’t want to be a party pooper so I just followed by siblings and nephews. But I stayed away from the crowd and planted myself near the railings. I’m allergic to people.

So how was 2023? It’s a mixed bag. Twin A’s illness sapped the life out of me and it tested me so much. However, there were triumphs as well like when I finally planted my roots in my home that I own. It’s a great feeling. There were so many challenges professionally as I navigated the tricky road as a manager and also as a subordinate. It’s like tightrope walking with no net underneath to save me.

Meanwhile, I have learned how to love myself better than last year. I’m trying to embrace my spinsterhood. Healing comes with acceptance.

I did travel quite a bit this year but they’re all work-related. I need to balance everything. I need to go diving again as my long fins may deteriorate.

I should write down the things I should do for this year…📝