DOT eyes weekly fireworks shows

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon is working to have weekly fireworks shows at historical Intramuros in Manila to attract more tourists, both local and foreign.

Gordon said the fireworks display would be a part of the Visit Philippines 2003 campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT), aimed at bringing in more visitors to help boost the country’s economy.

The tourism chief said the pyrotechnic shows would be made possible by the La Mancha Pyro Production, which prepared the spectacular displays during the country’s Centennial celebration in 1998.

He noted that La Mancha’s Ricky Crisostomo will help the DOT bring the world’s best in the pyrotechnic industry to the Philippines free of charge.

The fireworks shows will also complement the Philippine Tourism Authority’s light-and-sound shows at the "Walled City," set to kick off in January.

Last week, Crisostomo brought to the country German, Italian and Chinese groups that topped fireworks competitions in their respective regions . The visitors dazzled Filipinos during a three-night fireworks show at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) complex in Pasay City.

Watching the display from the roofdeck of the Westin Philippine Plaza, Gordon said the show was "just a preview" of the DOT’s plan to intensify its promotion of the country’s tourist spots in 2003.

"The show is meant to re-establish the distinction of the fireworks industry and to draw more people into the country," he added. – Cecille Suerte Felipe