Az video Blog - my video coverage of Varekai : Cirque du Soleil in Manila press preview

I attended the press preview and launch of "Cirque du Soleil in Manila" and here they will present their show called "Varekai". The show will premiere on June 22, 2011 to be held in Under The Blue and Yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at the Luneta, across Quirino Grandstand. Tickets are now on sale starting March 4, 2011.

watch the videos below

It's a great experience to see even a live preview of Cirqu du Soleil, and the show is very popular all over the world to have a world class production for stunts, arts and music that is live on stage.

Tickets for the show is now available for purchase at www.hooplah.ph
you may call 775-0930.

"Varekai" which means "wherever" in Romany language of the gypsies-the universal wanderers, it is a story happening in this extraordinary world deep within a forest at the summit of a volcano, a world that everything is possible and that world is called Varekai.

Varekai first premiered in Montreal in 2002 and it was visited by more than 55 cities in more than 12 different countries around the world, and now they are finally here first ever in Southeast Asia and our country - the Philippines is lucky to have this awesome show that is now being celebrated for having it's 3,000th show last August 2010 in Ostende, Belgium. 6 Million people patronized the Varekai around the world and the most great example here is that Cirque du Soleil productions do their performance with any use or show with "ANIMALS".

Cirque du Soleil started with a group of street performers in Baie-Saint-Paul in Quebec City in Canada during the early 80's and now they don't stop performing and this 2011 they have 19 Cirque du Soleil shows around the world!

And now they will be here in Manila and inviting us to be part of their amazing show!

Cirque du Soleil was brought here by their Manila promoter - Hooplah Inc. and the event is co-presented by the Manila Hotel, as the general manager of Manila Hotel said to us that this show will serve as its aunching event in a series of build up activities for their forthcoming 100th anniversary celebration which will culminate in October 2012.


Trailer
Here's a trailer that I found in Youtube. It is the same video trailer that was shared to us in our press kit, but this one is a little shorter.


Press Preview
Here's a sample show that was held in Maynila Ballroom, Manila Hotel. Its just a teaser and full stunts and action will be revealed on June 22, 2011.


A word from Therese Tinio, General Manager of Hooplah , Manila promoter for Cirque du Soleil

"Tonight is the beginning of a wonderful experience for the Filipino people"

Hooplah, as the local promoter of Cirque du Soleil, is pleased to bring a performance that will surely encourage families to go beyond their imagination and will surely be enjoyed by all the people, young and old alike and definitely to be talked about in the Philippines for a very very long time, Because Varekai combines beauty, art and stunts never seen before.

Its a show unlike any other

We will have no less than 20 shows here at the Big Top in Quirino Grandstand"


Interview with Robert Mckenzie, tour manager of Cirque du Soleil
I got a chance to interview the show's tour manager and he answer my questions below
1. How long does it take for their performers to practice and prepare before the show?
2. What are their safety measures and if they experience some accidents during the show?
3. And final question is that why the show only started this year in our country and not in the past years, did they receive any invitation from a local producer back then?

all answered by Mr. Mckenzie in my video interview.

coverage: SPAIN @ 2nd Philippine International Pyro Musical Competition 2011

SPAIN performed the 2nd pyro musical attraction after an hour and after Korea. The intro of their pyro musical performance started with a blast, Their performance is my favorite that night and I love the way they sync the fireworks with their music, they performed it really well. Everyone was amazed when the fireworks blasts in the sky in sync with the "2001: A Space Odyssey" movie music theme and then on some segment, I heard a theme song from a Final Fantasy game, I'm not sure, but I know the music used is from a video game.

On the end part of Spain's pyro musical act, they blast everything on the sky with bigger flares and flowery effects, everyone scream and I even shouted and clapped with lots of amazement. I captured all their performance and noticed that both of the participants got a 19 minutes fireworks display performance. Spain won the crowd and for me they got the winning card for day 1.

more photos below

next show will be on February 19, for details visit http://www.pyrophilippines.com/























http://www.pyrophilippines.com/

SM Mall of Asia and Platinum Fireworks Incorporated Presents
The Second Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Ten of the world’s best pyrotechnic artists hit the shores of the Manila Bay with the biggest and brightest event of the year. On February 12, 2011, SM Mall of Asia and Platinum Fireworks Incorporated kick-start the Second Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC). This prestigious event will be held every Saturday night at 7PM and 8PM from February 12 to March 12 along the Seaside Boulevard of SM Mall of Asia. Each Saturday, two countries light up the skies with explosive lights and colors, synched with electrifying music.

The PIPC made its debut last February 14, 2010 with United Kingdom (Jubilee Fireworks) winning the coveted Ramon Orlina glass sculpture trophy and placing Australia (Fireworx) and Japan (Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks, Co.) in the second and third spots, respectively. This 2011, the three countries return to compete again for the gold against the pyrotechnic artistry of South Korea, Spain, Portugal, China, France and Australia. The Philippines (Platinum Fireworks Inc.) also participates in this unforgettable event as the closing exhibition. The Second Philippine International Pyromusical Competition schedule is as follows:

February 12, 2011
7 PM Woori Fireworks, Inc. (South Korea)
8 PM Pirotecnia Igual (Spain)

February 19, 2011
7 PM Macedo’s Pirotecnia, LDA (Portugal)
8 PM Jubilee Fireworks (United Kingdom)

February 26, 2011
7 PM Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks, Co. (China)
8 PM Lacroix-Ruggieri (France)

March 5, 2011
7 PM Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks, Co. (Japan)
8 PM Apogee Fireworks (Canada)

March 12, 2011
7 PM Fireworx (Australia)
8 PM Platinum Fireworks (Philippines)

The stretch of the Manila Bay gives thousands of spectators an unparalleled and unobstructed view of the fireworks performance. This spectacular feat is staged on the Manila Bay waters providing a safe distance for the crowd. The view from the Veranda is the perfect background to the finest restaurants and bistros where family and friends can dine and enjoy the breath-taking feats. This thrilling affair should not be missed! You won’t find a more exciting display of firework expertise anywhere else. SM Mall of Asia is undeniably the ideal venue with its sprawling world-class complex and exceptional amenities. Discover how no experience can compare and why no other mall comes close!

This grand annual event couldn’t have been made possible without its co-presenters, Close-Up and Tanduay; the official residence sponsored by Microtel Inns and Suites; and sponsors Chevrolet, and Channel V, Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Energy FM 91.5 and Home Radio 97.9 as the event’s media partners. For more information, visit www.pyrophilippines.com. And for block reservations, please call Joel Sta. Ana (09178564130) and Jane Sta. Ana (09178114001)

coverage: KOREA @ 2nd Philippine International Pyro Musical Competition 2011

Korea started the pyro display with the theme song of "The Terminator" movie and later on various symphonic and oriental style music. Some of the fireworks went on sync with the music, I also like the rocket ship fireworks that flew up slowly in the sky one by one. Korea is the first player in the pyro musical competition.

more photos below

next show will be on February 19, for details visit http://www.pyrophilippines.com/
























http://www.pyrophilippines.com/

SM Mall of Asia and Platinum Fireworks Incorporated Presents
The Second Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Ten of the world’s best pyrotechnic artists hit the shores of the Manila Bay with the biggest and brightest event of the year. On February 12, 2011, SM Mall of Asia and Platinum Fireworks Incorporated kick-start the Second Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC). This prestigious event will be held every Saturday night at 7PM and 8PM from February 12 to March 12 along the Seaside Boulevard of SM Mall of Asia. Each Saturday, two countries light up the skies with explosive lights and colors, synched with electrifying music.

The PIPC made its debut last February 14, 2010 with United Kingdom (Jubilee Fireworks) winning the coveted Ramon Orlina glass sculpture trophy and placing Australia (Fireworx) and Japan (Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks, Co.) in the second and third spots, respectively. This 2011, the three countries return to compete again for the gold against the pyrotechnic artistry of South Korea, Spain, Portugal, China, France and Australia. The Philippines (Platinum Fireworks Inc.) also participates in this unforgettable event as the closing exhibition. The Second Philippine International Pyromusical Competition schedule is as follows:

February 12, 2011
7 PM Woori Fireworks, Inc. (South Korea)
8 PM Pirotecnia Igual (Spain)

February 19, 2011
7 PM Macedo’s Pirotecnia, LDA (Portugal)
8 PM Jubilee Fireworks (United Kingdom)

February 26, 2011
7 PM Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks, Co. (China)
8 PM Lacroix-Ruggieri (France)

March 5, 2011
7 PM Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks, Co. (Japan)
8 PM Apogee Fireworks (Canada)

March 12, 2011
7 PM Fireworx (Australia)
8 PM Platinum Fireworks (Philippines)

The stretch of the Manila Bay gives thousands of spectators an unparalleled and unobstructed view of the fireworks performance. This spectacular feat is staged on the Manila Bay waters providing a safe distance for the crowd. The view from the Veranda is the perfect background to the finest restaurants and bistros where family and friends can dine and enjoy the breath-taking feats. This thrilling affair should not be missed! You won’t find a more exciting display of firework expertise anywhere else. SM Mall of Asia is undeniably the ideal venue with its sprawling world-class complex and exceptional amenities. Discover how no experience can compare and why no other mall comes close!

This grand annual event couldn’t have been made possible without its co-presenters, Close-Up and Tanduay; the official residence sponsored by Microtel Inns and Suites; and sponsors Chevrolet, and Channel V, Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Energy FM 91.5 and Home Radio 97.9 as the event’s media partners. For more information, visit www.pyrophilippines.com. And for block reservations, please call Joel Sta. Ana (09178564130) and Jane Sta. Ana (09178114001)