TRUST SM City Pampanga to come up with a new way to ring in the New Year.

Hundreds of spectators flocked to the amphitheater of the country's longest mall to celebrate the end of 2008 and usher in 2009. And the best way to start the New Year is a "Magical Laser Light Show" -- the first of its kind in the province.

Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo

It was a night of world-class performances as spectators were treated to a night of lights, sound and presentations. Taking center stage were fabulous performances from Swerve Band, Dindy Gozun and Fil-Canadian Ramil Omosura.

Omusura, a winner in a singing competition in Canada is now making the waves and stage performances in the international music scene and has recently launched his album here in the country.

The crowd went wild as Funkroots danced to the music of DJ Poklong. The crowd's adrenaline went on a record high with the first ever Pampanga appearance of the Dynamite Dance Crew, the hot dance group manned by young artists (Arron Villaflor, Enchong Dee, Dino Imperial and AJ Perez).

Midway through the program, the laser light show made jaws drop. The laser lights, which have gained popularity in bars and events in Europe, are now becoming a regular fad in most bars and event venues in the country.

But SM City Pampanga's laser light show is a cacophony of artistic theatrical dances blended with the neo-chromatic colors of the laser lights.

It was a fitting way indeed to welcome the New Year and a taste of something new for most spectators.

The performance of the Coverboys sizzled the dance floor with their sexy production number.

The Coverboys is composed of John James Uy, Victor Basa, Ron Morales, and Rafael Rosell. Other members are Marvin Raymundo (a Kapampangan and the model in Pampanga's promotional MTV on tourism), Jon Avila, Jake Cuenca, Zanjoe Marudo, and Will Devaughn. The crowd went wild as the Coverboys gamely teased the audience with their dance numbers.

The night ended with a seemingly endless display of fireworks that lighted the San Fernando sky.

(The author accepts comments, suggestions, love notes, indignant rebuttals, hate-mail and what-have-yous. Email: ianocampoflora@yahoo.com) (IOF)