4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Japan vs. Finland

It's been four years since the first international pyromusical competion was held here in the Philippines, and every year since then, it has been held here. But it's only this year that I was able to watch this spectacular fireworks display as the 4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition officially opened two Saturdays ago, February 16.  Of the eleven countries (12 including the Philippines, for closing exhibition only) participating on this annual event, Japan and Finland were the first two countries to showcase their pyrotechnic expertise.

The show was supposed to start at 7:00PM (for Japan, 8:00PM for Finland) but for reasons I don't know (no sound systems were installed on the Silver viewing area, preventing us from hearing whatever announcements the organizers made), it only started at around 7:45PM. I'm so bored but we couldn't leave our place near the breakwater, or else we wouldn't have a nice place to setup our cameras later.

Anyway, after almost three hours of doing nothing but wait, finally the show started. Japan and Finland, the competing countries that night, showcased a musically-synchronized fireworks display of colors and formations (hearts and smileys and hello kitty from Japan) for about twenty minutes per country, keeping thousand of spectators in awe. Sadly, we were not able to hear the music (like what I've said, no sound system was installed near our area) so we didn't know anything about the timing.

Actually, I was not able to fully enjoy the fireworks display, not because it's poorly executed but because I was busy taking photos. One of my reasons, aside from witnessing it with my very own eyes, was to practice fireworks photography (feeling lang, so please bear with me). And I found out it's not easy. I can't help but watch the spectacular fireworks display as they painted the sky with bright colors, keeping my concentration away from taking photos. It's not easy watching and taking photos of fireworks at the same time, that's what I learned. And that's why in the end, I was not able to get good photos. If only I could synchronize my eyes and my fingers too, maybe I could get better photos then! haha...feelingera! ^__^

Anyway, below are some photos I took as I practice fireworks photography. Pardon me if I wasn't able to give justice to these bright and colorful fireworks. Hopefully next time (already bought tickets for the schedule of Canada and the Philippines, I really intend to have a second chance), I would be able to take good quality photos. *fingers-crossed*

Note: I purposely included here some awful shots because I did enjoy putting captions in them, it made me smile while doing this post. The captions are really what I think seeing the outcome of my practice fireworks photography. :P

palm leaves, on windy night (storm approaching...) ^_^

during the storm :P

after the storm! :P

jellies on fire! ;P

more jellies...

...on fire! :P

palm trees on fire! :P

palm trees caught on fire and storm, too! :P

rainbow-colored palm trees

more rainbow-colored palm trees! :P

reflections! :)

caption this! ^__^

this one, too... ;P

also this one... ;P

and this one!  (can't think of a good caption eh) ^_^

February 16, 2013
Japan (Tamaya Kitahara)
Finland (Oy Pyroman Finland Ltd.)

February 23, 2013
Taiwan (Yung Feng Fireworks)
Spain (Brunchu Pyro Experience)

March 2, 2013
United Kingdom (Jubilee Fireworks, Ltd.)
South Korea (Hwarang Fireworks, Inc.)

March 9, 2013
Italy (Ipon Fireworks S.R.L.)
The Netherlands (Royal Fireworks)

March 16, 2013
China (Liuyang New Year Fireworks Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)
Australia (Fireworkx Inc.)

March 23, 2013
Canada (Fireworks Spectacular)
Philippines (Closing Exhibition - Platinum Fireworks Inc.)