A 'first' for Pops, Christian

Christian Bautista and Pops Fernandez performed at a New Year countdown at the Shangri-La Makati’s Rizal ballroom. It was their first time in such an event.

Aside from their hit songs, they did some standard swing medleys, Broadway songs and lots of dance music to welcome the new year. 

In one of Pops’ spiels, she told Christian,‘I predict that in 2009, you will find your special someone.’ Christian smiled back and replied, ‘I’m glad you said that because as you and everyone knows, I am still very much single.’

‘Ice’ was the countdown’s theme for 2008. The Rizal ballroom walls and lobby were draped in white fabric with decorative stalagtite cones dropped from the ceiling. At the entrance was a bar sculpted from ice, with bottles of wine placed on top. Surrounding the bar were pillar stands made of real ice as well. Each dinner table setting likewise had sculptured ice decors in various animal shapes like penguins, seals, bears, etc. 

The two-hour concert ended with the countdown which was climaxed by a thousand white balloons dropping from the ceiling to the dance floor where hundreds of hotel guests danced and cheered to welcome 2009.

Musical direction was by Homer Flores; over-all direction by Rico Mortel.