I have watched several fireworks display before — be it during the New Year celebrations, festivals, or the weekend mall attractions.
Yet, the 2012 Philippine International PyroMusical Competition seemed to have gotten the best of me. It’s the 3rd time that the Philippines is doing this competition, bringing in the fireworks makers from countries around the world.
The bayside of SM’s Mall of Asia was jam-packed as early as 3:00 pm. This is probably the reason why I haven’t ventured watching this show in the past. But then again, curiosity fueled my desire to be part of the crowd and witness the spectacle that I’ve only been hearing on TV and reading on blog sites.
I joined my friend and her family to a dinner treat at Gilligan’s where we could sit and enjoy a meal while watching the talked-about fireworks display. Tickets were already sold at 50% discount and ticket holders were laying down their mats to wait for the show.
By 7:30 pm, the show started with Italy displaying their goods. This was the last night of the competition and people were dying to watch the finale. We were seated underneath the colorful MOA eye, a smaller version of the London eye, which I think could give a better view of the fireworks.
Though music was playing on the background, this was drowned by all the noise. Green, red, blue, and violet lights fill up the dark sky like big bang theory coming alive before our eyes. There was also the blue and red Saturn-like display. Italy gave a good show but not enough to convince the judges for a first-placer. In between breaks, the host announced Canada as this year’s winner.
The Philippines, host and non-competitive participant, gave it’s own exhibition, which capped the night and the whole contest. At one point, the late Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” played, which was also sung by American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez. There were smileys and infinity-shaped fireworks. But the ending was a downer since the music continued playing and there were no fire that lit the sky.
The crowd made its exodus towards the exit gates with disappointment. As we made our way to the road, the sky was once again filled with dancing fireworks. It seemed there was some glitch on the show. Still, the Philippines ended it with a bang, literally, as it poured out its best at the last minute. It has redeemed itself and wowed the crowd to the hilt.
