Philippines grabs gold in world fireworks championship

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines was declared overall champion at the recently held Pyronale Fireworks World Championships 2013 at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

The Philippine team, represented by Dragon Fireworks, Inc., won for its 'Philippines- Here Comes the Dragon' presentation, which also bagged the audience choice award.

The country's presentation was a choreographed performance which included songs from Angeline Quinto (Pilii mo ang Pilipinas), Carol Banawa (Tanging Yaman) and the Tinikling folk dance. The performance was designed by 20-year-old business student Vander Tanedero.

The team was composed of Jovenson Ong, Hans Emerson Ong, Tanedero, John Oliver Zeng and Jose Veloso.

Before their performance, the team, led by Jovenson and Don Miguel Villarosa, met with Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Natividad welcomed the initiative of Dragon Fireworks, which plans to enter the European market.

Dragon Fireworks has been in operation since 1992 and has grown to become the largest fireworks manufacturer in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, DFA said.