Cebu now holds record for fireworks launch

CEBU, Philippines – A year after establishing the world's biggest dance class, Cebu City's name becomes bolder and brighter with the Guinness World Record for the most fireworks rockets launched in less than a minute.

The latest feat was through the efforts of Pyroworks International Inc. (Philippines) headed by Brian Lim that successfully launched 125,801 firework rockets last May 8 at the South Road Properties.

The Cebu-based Pyroworks broke the record of 56,405 rockets launched in 30 seconds during the 10th British Firework Championship in Plymouth in August 16, 2006 organized by Dr. Roy Lowry of the United Kingdom.

Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers reportedly launched 110,000 fireworks in only 6.5 seconds on August 20, 2009 but the record was not confirmed by GWR.

"We are pleased to confirm that you have set the new Guinness World Record for "Most firework rocket launched in 30 seconds," said Aleksandr Vypiralenko of the GWR's records management team based in London in its letter dated July 16, 2010 to Lim.

Specific guidelines were outlined for the attempt in lieu of an adjudicator from the GWR with each rocket to be launched separately from its own tube or platform within a 30-second window from the instant of the first launch and must be designed to reach a minimum altitude of 30 meters as well on how the attempt should be documented.

It would have been very costly for organizers to request for a GWR representative to evaluate the attempt made, though the results will be known right away.

Initially, Lim targeted a total of 100,000 then added 20,000 more rockets until it resulted to launching more firework rockets, a strategy which also worked well for Dancesport-Team Cebu City for its biggest dance class. The bigger the number, better the chance of breaking a record and the longer the time to enjoy such a feat before another city or individual attempts to break a certain GWR.

Over a million pesos was reportedly spent in the attempt since organizers had to use custom-made equipment to launch the rockets plus the materials used for the fireworks itself, documentation and other expenses.

Lim wanted to showcase not only their company's creativity and but also the Cebuanos' ingenuity.

The Cebu City government was then eyeing to have two GWR attempts in one occasion last May 8 during the launching of the South Road Properties -the most fireworks rockets launched in less than a minute and the longest barbecue line. An attempt was first made for the longest barbecue line here in 2004 but it fell short.

However, former mayor and now city south district representative Tomas Osmeña decided to forego the plan for the longest barbecue line so people visiting the SRP will not be inconvenienced by it.

The SRP's grand launching aside from the successful GWR attempt also had the Cebu Fest also led by Lim where different sporting events took place like a run at sunset, boxing, batted sports, motocross, mixed martial arts, flag football, among others plus numerous food stalls, a concerts, bazaar, and a carnival.

The success of the Cebu Fest had pushed Lim who just been appointed one of the newest commissioners of the Cebu City Sports Commission to spearhead the event annually.

Lim, however, had not yet disclosed whether another GWR attempt will be made in the next Cebu Fest at the SRP. - /BRP (THE FREEMAN)