2012 Pyromusical: S. Korea vs. Malta

It's that time of the year again when colors will be exploding on a dark night sky, and it's that time of the year again when I would be sitting in Manila Bay's seawall for at least four hours a few minutes before sun down and up to the last explosion of colors.

It's the 2012 Philippine International Pyromusical competition!  Now on its 3rd year, the competition attracted 11 countries to compete for this year's top prize, and the Philippines being the host, just like the previous two installments, will also take part in the event not to compete but to entertain (and also to brag a little that we can do better than them hehehe)

The opening of the six-Saturdays event was last February 11, 2012 and the first match up was between South Korea and newcomer Malta.  I was there as early as 5 pm, and that early, a bee line of excited fireworks patrons has already formed at the entrance.  I waited for more than five minutes before being allowed inside and another 10 minutes before finding my way to the seawall and settled there for the next two to three hours of waiting.  The sun is still up and hot but I came prepared, I have with me an umbrella, water, food and a book to pass the time.  

It wasn't long when the sun bids the day goodbye, and the amazing colors of the Manila Bay sunset sets the tone for wonderful explosion of colors later in the night.

South Korea took first draw of blood, err, fire and their fireworks were amazing enough to go with the K-pop sound.  I thought they did good, especially the fireworks that floated and exploded on water, though it didn't reached that super wow level, it was enough to excite us all and set the bar high for the next participant.

After the South Korea set, I thought of looking for a better shooting location with interesting and more prominent foreground to boot.  And the moment that I gave up my seat, I thought three persons jumped on it and snapped the small space for themselves hehehe.

And it was not a good decision, a very bad decision, actually.  Di na natuto!!! When I went to the center, there was no more space, save for an ant! And I am forced to go back to my previous seat only to find out that not only three persons took it, but a throng!!!!  So I have to settle at the back, a few meters from where I used to occupy, with lots of people's back blocking my view. sigh.

Malta took the classical background, and just like any classical song, it started slow to the point of being boring yet with every minute that pass and with every explosion they made, a momentum after momentum has been built for that big, loud and bright finale!  BOOM! And I wish I am still seated on the seawall. waaah.

It was a good opening though, and for my next fireworks appointment, I better not give up my precious or just upgrade to VIP (which I might do anyway).