Bonne Année From Jessica

Posted on January 1, 2014

Jessica’s fast songs from her album ME YOU & THE MUSIC were perfect for the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Jessica Sanchez greeted 2014 at Eastwood City Mall together with top acts Bamboo, South Border, Mitoy Yonting and Draybers, Up Dharma Down and Hidden Nikki. Similar to the Times Square tradition, a huge electronic Star descended as time wound down to the New Year. Incredible fireworks lit up the sky for what seemed like an eternity. It’s the first time that Jessica has celebrated New Year in The Philippines.

Up Dharma Down performs at Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Hidden Nikki performs at Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jessica Sanchez has a new sound with her debut album ME YOU & THE MUSIC. With her powerful voice, she could have sung ballads or R&B and soul just like her vocal idols Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. The current dance hits that she has in the album fit the party atmosphere perfectly. The transition from BAMBOO’s intense rock hits to her fast ‘house’ bass driven music worked well.

Bamboo heats up the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Kids hug Ate Jessica when she asked to let her young pals on stage. Photo taken at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

With songs like GENTLEMEN, RIGHT TO FALL, IN YOUR HANDS, LIGHTNING the audience fell at ease dancing and partying the night away. For the mega hit TONIGHT (featuring Ne-Yo) she asked a teen-age fan to sing with her and 4 kids as back up dancers. She did not sing the slower CRAZY GLUE and PLASTIC ROSES also from the same album.

Kids hug Ate Jessica when she asked to let her young pals on stage. Photo taken at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jessica’s fast songs from her album ME YOU & THE MUSIC were perfect for the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Mitoy Yonting THE VOICE winner is on the wide screen. It was put up so more people can watch performers on stage at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

A great choice is the hit Katy Perry song ROAR. While Katy is definitely an established songwriter and singer, Jessica’s more powerful pipes helped make an even better vocal for ROAR. It was the same thing with WE FOUND LOVE by Rihanna. Jessica hit higher notes with ease and even busted out some moves on stage, heels and all.

Jessica’s fast songs from her album ME YOU & THE MUSIC were perfect for the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fans waited for Jessica since 3pm at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

BAMBOO had an awe-inspiring set with PROBINSYANA, HINAHANAP HANAP KITA, IKOT NG MUNDO, AWIT NG KABATAAN and NOYPI. He also covered U2’s version of HALLELUJIAH and segued to their original Filipino version/hit. Bamboo ended his set with a surprising MAN IN THE MIRROR by Michael Jackson.

Bamboo heats up the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Right hand corner is the Dazzling Star that drops just like the ball in Times Square. Photo taken at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

(Right) Luke Mijares reunites with South Border (Left) Vince Alaras at Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

SOUTH BORDER stole the show because of a reunion of sorts of original members. Luke Mijares jammed with his old band and sang together with current vocalists Vince Alaras and keyboardist Jay Durias. Current members include : Janno Queyquep (guitars), Benjie Mendez (drums, percussion, vocals), Manuel Tabunar (bass guitar), Edward Picache (saxophone) and Mackey Ricafort (guitars). SOUTH BORDER went on a reunion tour this year jamming with Mijares. It was amazing to hear the blending of the different voices in hits like: RAINBOW, KAHIT KAILAN and IKAW NGA.

Luke Mijares reunites with South Border at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

EMEPRADOR LIGHT girls at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Now on its third year, the Dazzling Star Drop is Eastwood City’s version of the world famous Ball Drop in New York City’s Time Square and one of the most awaited parts of the New Year Countdown.

Jessica’s fast songs from her album ME YOU & THE MUSIC were perfect for the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Sam YG interviews a French Tourist at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Justin Bieber visits Tacloban in video featuring Yolanda typhoon relief efforts. Photo taken at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Minutes before a moment of silence was observed in honor of the victims of recent calamities including the Bohol Earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda. Proceeds from the sale of commemorative glow sticks, handheld fans, balloons will be benefit organizations currently involved in the Yolanda rehabilitation efforts.

Families loved the costumes and photo ops at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Bamboo heats up the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Sam YG, Jessica and Joyce Pring the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

To find out about more UP COMING FREE concerts and other cool events please call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888 or 709-8888, 0917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com

PDI Editor Poch Concepcion shoots the concert with his cell phone. Photo taken at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Blu Jays is one of the most loyal Fan clubs for Jessica Sanchez. Famous entertainment writer Jamie Ortega is the lady standing behind them. Photo taken at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jessica’s fast songs from her album ME YOU & THE MUSIC were perfect for the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Families loved the costumes and photo ops at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Bamboo heats up the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

EMEPRADOR LIGHT girls at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

(left) Talent manager Manny Valera enjoyed the performers at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista

Kids hug Ate Jessica when she asked to let her young pals on stage. Photo taken at the Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2014, December 31 at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photo by Jude Bautista