Cities across PHL welcome the New Year

At the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, 2015, the tradition of saying goodbye to the previous year with an explosion of colors and greeting the new year with a bang continued as cities across the Philippines lit up the sky with fireworks, save for a few which chose to create a new tradition.

Davao City celebrated its 15th year without firecrackers, fireworks, and other pyrotechnics, choosing instead to blow horns in the Torotot Festival.

The city reported zero casualties as citizens partied at San Pedro Town Square in a "smoke-free" environment.

Davao officials said the ban not only saves lives and limbs, the festival also does away with the garbage left by firecrackers on the street. Their manner of making noise also does not involve releasing harmful chemicals in the air.

The local government of Pasig shares Davao City's style as they celebrated the Pakalog Festival, where dance and lechon are the center of attention.

20th Pakalog Festival, Brgy. Santolan Pasig in Full Swing. Catch our live updates later @ #24oras @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/fFh3C9y59f

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) December 31, 2015

In Dapitan City, residents welcomed the New Year at the Gloria de Dapitan Fantasy Land. The holiday magic could still be felt through the animated Christmas trees, while a show featuring local bands entertained visitors before the fireworks were lit.

Street parties marked the last day of the year in Cebu City, followed by a Midnight Mass led by Archbishop Jose Palma.

Meanwhile, thousands of families spent the last night of the year at Rizal Park, where the city government organized a concert for a cause and the traditional dancing fountain for park goers. They were also treated to a 20-minute grand fireworks display as 2016 arrived.

A grand fireworks display illuminates the skies above the Rizal Monument at Rizal Park in Manila on January 1, 2016. Danny Pata

Salamat sa pagsama kahit umuulan Luneta!!! Happy New Year sa inyo! ???? #rizalpark #newyearcountdown #2016 #mymp pic.twitter.com/E0t0xCC4vH

— MYMP (@MYMP2010) December 31, 2015

Nearby in Tondo, a costume party was held on the streets with Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye serving as inspiration for a couple of participants.

A similar event was held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, but instead of dancing fountains, the thousands of people who flocked to the park where treated to a laser light show. Fireworks were also the highlight of the event.

But if the fireworks in Rizal Park and Quezon City Memorial Circle were grand, then another superlative is necessary to describe the festivities in Bulacan.

The event organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo in Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue broke not one, but three Guinness World Records.

The members of the religious group gathered as 700,000 fireworks exploded in the sky for a show that lasted for at least an hour.

They also earned the record for the longest line of sparklers lit in relay and the most sparklers lit simultaneously. —Aya Tantiangco/KG, GMA News