I NEVER THOUGHT I'D MISS THIS.....

The fun thing about New Year's Eve is watching the sky for the fireworks display that takes place before the clock strikes 12 midnight of January 1. But nowadays, firecrackers and fireworks are getting more expensive that one buyer of such things has to ponder deeply if money spent to buy these "pyrotechnic entertainers" is worthwhile. And with the DOH campaign to avoid firecrackers to prevent bodily harm and that gas leak in Makati that can certainly turn into a huge fireball of catastrophic proportions prompting the city government to issue a strict warning not to use firecrackers in their area, I am now hearing myself say, I miss watching a fireworks display.

There was a time in the past when me and my friends from NAYON Photographer's Club braved the throng of people and proceeded to Esplanade to watch the World Pyro Olympics and shoot fireworks to our hearts' delight! And the last time we went there, we actually placed ourselves on top of those huge boulders along the break waters of Manila Bay, since the thick concrete barriers have been occupied by people who arrived ahead of us. I also recall about a time when I had to walk quite far just to be able to get a bus as I head home to Las Pinas. This started my ritual of never again try to get a ride at MOA during a very busy night like this and just head towards Plaza Lawton.

A lot has happened with this event. For one thing, we were privy with what happened behind the supposed misunderstanding between the organizers of the Pyro Olympics and SM Management. Whatever the controversy was, it made the organizers transfer the pyro olympics venue to around the area in the Fort, in Taguig and also made SM organize a similar event which SM now is a sponsor of.

If ever another event similar to the World Pyro Olympics is held here in the future, who knows, I might blow the dust off my tripod and proceed towards wherever the location for this event will be and shoot fireworks once again!