Philippines Dazzles Calgary Fireworks Festival by Sweeping All Three Categories in Annual Competition of Pyrotechnic Prowess

Images courtesy of www.calgarysun.com

Source: www.calgarysun.com

Filipino pride rose high over Calgary Saturday as the Philippines swept all fireworks categories at this year’s GlobalFest.

Taking the People’s Choice, Kid’s Choice and Best-of awards, president of Philippines’ Platinum Fireworks Joel Sta. Ana said he was very proud of this year’s win.

“We’re very, very happy,” he told the Sun.

“It was a very fierce competition.”

This is the third time the Philippines has competed in the annual Calgary fireworks and cultural festival, capturing People’s Choice in their 2011 debut and going home empty-handed in 2012.

This year’s show, and subsequent big win, is dedicated to the people of Calgary, he said — in particular its large Filipino community.

In addition, the Philippines’ cultural pavilion won the One World Festival Award — an honour shared with Scotland in an unprecedented tie.

Indonesian Kitchen won best ethnic food category.

This year’s GlobalFest was fraught with challenges thanks to Mother Nature.

Heavy smoke from distant wildfires, wind and rain threatened the four fireworks shows — the latter causing the festival’s first postponement in four years.

Assistant show producer Nikki Macaraeg said organizers expressed deep appreciation to the city for their understanding in light of the frustration last Thursday’s cancellation caused.

“It was tough,” she said.

“I wanted to say thank you to everybody who supported us through one of our hardest years ever.”

She credited the Philippines’ win to an innovative and beautiful show, featuring pyrotechnics judges had never seen before — including giant shells in the red, white, yellow and blue of the Filipino flag.

“We know we had a rough year, but it’s nice to know Calgarians still support us and understand the imperfect beauty of holding an outdoor festival in Calgary.”