# Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC), initially known as the World Pyro Olympics (WPO), is an annual competition among fireworks manufacturers from different countries held in the Philippines which at its current format runs for five to six weeks every Saturday evening (initially five days in the competition's old format as the World Pyro Olympics) at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay. Two countries fire each day; the last participant fires on the final evening of the event.
The host of the event does not participate in the competition but performs a fireworks display on the last night. Awards, such as the People's Choice, are given out after the exhibition. The crowning of the competition's winners ends the event.

## History
### Beginnings and foundation

In 1988, Ricardo "Ricky" Crisostomo of La Mancha Group International (LMGI), visited a three-day fireworks competition in Europe. His son, Rob, recalled in The Philippine Star that his father was "awestruck" on what he experienced. LMGI was once the leading pyrotechnics company in the Philippines, and the Crisostomo family wanted to bring the concept of such a competition to the country.
La Mancha previously performed fireworks displays during the Philippine Centennial in 1998, and were commissioned by the country's Department of Tourism for its Wow Philippines campaign. It then organized the 1st International Fireworks Festival in December 2002 and the World Pyro Olympics Exhibition in March and April 2004.

### World Pyro Olympics (2005–2008)

The first World Pyro Olympics took place in 2005 in The Esplanade at the back of the-then unfinished SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines from December 26 to 30. Firework materials were placed in the participant's barge floating within Manila Bay, around 300 meters (980 ft) from the seawall. It was participated by nine foreign countries. The event host, La Mancha Group, along with the nine foreign fireworks makers, held a fireworks demonstration on the last day. Australia emerged as the champion.
The second WPO was hosted again at The Esplanade at the then newly completed SM Mall of Asia from January 5 to 13, 2007. Nine foreign countries competed in the second edition. The United Kingdom emerged as champions, while the team from China won an award for technical precision. It attracted 500,000 spectators at the main venue and over a million people in surrounding areas.
Rob Crisostomo recalled in The Philippine Star about the difficulty of producing shows for five consecutive evenings. It was then decided in 2008 to hold the third WPO for five Saturdays, rather than five straight evenings, from May 3 to 31. The third event was postponed to the following week due to heavy rains and rough seas brought by Tropical Storm Halong (Dindo). The countries that participated were Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, and Venezuela. Italy won the said competition.
The World Pyro Olympics was often criticized for creating heavy traffic jams, but Rob Crisostomo defended the show, saying that he and La Mancha created it for "families to come together" and not "to create monstrous traffic jams."
In 2009, La Mancha planned to move the World Pyro Olympics to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, to be held on five Saturdays from November to December in the lead-up to the Christmas season. Apart from the fireworks displays, it would have featured an exhibit of cars, marching bands, and play areas and bazaars. However, the WPO committee decided to postpone the event to early 2010, citing non-stop rains and subsequent flooding that affected the safety of the venue.

### Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (2010–present)

SM Supermalls partnered with Platinum Fireworks, Inc. for the first Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC). On February 14, 2010, Platinum Fireworks kicked off the competition by performing an opening exhibition. The opening night coincided with Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year. It was then held at SM Mall of Asia every Sunday from February to March. The United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia participated in the competition. Each participant performs a fireworks display for a minimum of fifteen minutes. The Philippines then closed the first edition on March 14.
In 2011, the competition moved to Saturdays, where it has remained ever since. The competition expanded to six weeks from five in 2012. From 2011 to 2013, the Philippines provided only the closing exhibitions, before performing both opening and closing exhibitions by 2014.
In 2019, competition organizers moved the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition from SM Mall of Asia to SM City Clark in Angeles City, Pampanga, to support the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The competition was put on hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2024, competition organizers announced its return after a four-year hiatus. With the completion of Manila Bay's rehabilitation, the competition returned to SM Mall of Asia. It was however shortened to five weeks from the usual six, and was moved to May−June instead of the usual February−March. Skyglitters Enterprise of Valenzuela City was tapped as co-presenter along with Platinum Fireworks, Inc. The following year, the competition returned to its former schedule.

## Participating teams

(Host nation highlighted.)
| Country | World Pyro Olympics | World Pyro Olympics | World Pyro Olympics | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Philippine International Pyromusical Competition |
| Country | 2005 | 2007 | 2008 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Australia | ShowFX Australia | ShowFX Australia | | Howards And Sons Pyrotechnics | Fireworkx | Fireworkx | Fireworkx | Howards And Sons Pyrotechnics | | Skylighter Fireworx | Skylighter Fireworx | | | Skylighter Fireworx | |
| Austria | | | | | | | | | | | | Fire-Events | | | Steyrfire Feuerwerke |
| Belgium | | | | | | | | | | | | | CBF Pyrotechnics | | |
| Brazil | | | | | | | | | Vision Show | | | | | | |
| Canada | | Pyro Studios | Pyro Studios | | Apogee Fireworks | Fireworks Spectaculars | Fireworks Spectaculars | Royal Pyrotechnie | Royal Pyrotechnie | Fireworks Spectaculars | Hands Fireworks | Hands Fireworks | Fireworks Spectaculars | | Royal Pyrotechnie |
| Canada | | Pyro Studios | Pyro Studios | | Apogee Fireworks | Fireworks Spectaculars | Fireworks Spectaculars | Royal Pyrotechnie | Royal Pyrotechnie | Fireworks Spectaculars | Garden City Display Fireworks | Hands Fireworks | Fireworks Spectaculars | | Royal Pyrotechnie |
| China | Glorious Group | Glorious Group | Glorious Group | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Liuyang New Year Fireworks | Liuyang New Year Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Lidu Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks |
| China | Glorious Group | Glorious Group | Glorious Group | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Liuyang New Year Fireworks | Liuyang New Year Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Polaris Fireworks |
| Denmark | | Bright Star Fireworks | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Finland | | | | | | Oy Pyroman Finland | Oy Pyroman Finland | Oy Pyroman Finland | | | | | Oy Pyroman Finland | | |
| France | | | Fetes & Feux | Brezac Artifices | Lacroix Ruggieri | | | Brezac Artifices | | Brezac Artifices | Pyragic | Pandora-Pyrotechnie | Brezac Artefices | | Luxfactory Fireworks |
| Germany | Nico Lünig Event | Nico Lünig Event | Nico Lünig Event | | | | | Vulcan Europe | | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Nico Events | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke |
| Germany | Nico Lünig Event | Nico Lünig Event | Nico Lünig Event | | | | | Vulcan Europe | | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke | Steffes-Olig Feurwerke |
| Italy | | | Parente Fireworks | | | Orzella Fireworks | Ipon Fireworks S.R.L | | Martarello Group | Parente Fireworks | | Alessi Fuochi Artificiali | Viviano S.R.L. | | |
| Japan | | | | Tamaya Kitahara | Tamaya Kitahara | | Tamaya Kitahara | Tamaya Kitahara | Akariya Fireworks | | | | | | |
| Malaysia | | | | Pyro Splendour Services | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Malta | | | | | | Malta Fireworks | | | | | | | | | |
| Mexico | | | | | | | | | Sirius Pyrotechnics | | | | | | |
| Netherlands | | | | | | Royal Fireworks | Royal Fireworks | | Royal Fireworks | Royal Fireworks | | | | Royal Fireworks | |
| Portugal | | | | | Macedos Pirotecnia | Grupo Luso Pirotecnia | | | Grupo Luso Pirotecnia | Grupo Luso Pirotecnia | | | Grupo Luso Pirotecnia | Macedos Pirotecnico | |
| Philippines | La Mancha Group | La Mancha Group | La Mancha Group | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Skyglitters Enterprise | Platinum Fireworks |
| Philippines | La Mancha Group | La Mancha Group | La Mancha Group | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks | Platinum Fireworks |
| Poland | | Astondoa Piroteknia | | | | | | | | | | | Surex Firma Rodzinna | | |
| Russia | Orion Art International | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Singapore | | | | Redhub Entertainment | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sweden | | | | | | | | | Göteborgs FyrverkeriFabrik | | | | | | |
| Spain | | Astondoa Piroteknia | | | Pirotecnia Igual | Pirotecnia Turis | Brunchu Pyro Experience | Brunchu Pyro Experience | | | | | | | |
| South Africa | Pyro Spectacular | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South Korea | Hanhwa | | | | | Woori Fireworks | Woori Fireworks | Hwarang Fireworks | | | | | | Faseecom Co Ltd. | Faseecom Co Ltd. |
| Switzerland | | | | | | | | | | | | Sugyp SA | | | |
| Taiwan | | | | | | | Yung Feng Fireworks | | | | | Yung Feng Fireworks | | | |
| United Arab Emirates | Flash Art Group | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| United Kingdom | Celtic Fireworks | Westcoast Fireworks | | Jubilee Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks | SM Art Pyrotechnics | Jubilee Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyro 2000 | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx |
| United Kingdom | Celtic Fireworks | Westcoast Fireworks | | Jubilee Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks | SM Art Pyrotechnics | Jubilee Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx | Pyrotex Fireworx |
| United States | Melrose Pyrotechnics | Melrose Pyrotechnics | | PyroFire Display | | | | Atlas Pyro Vision | | Atlas Pyro Vision | | Pyro Engineering | | | Razzi Fireworks |
| Venezuela | | | Venefuegos Artificiales | | | | | | | | | | | | |

## Winners

World Pyro Olympics :
| Edition | Edition | Winner | 1st runner-up | 2nd runner-up |
| 1st | 2005 | ShowFX Australia | None awarded | None awarded |
| 2nd | 2007 | Westcoast Fireworks | None awarded | None awarded |
| 3rd | 2008 | Parente Fireworks | None awarded | None awarded |
| Philippine International Pyromusical Competition |||||
| Edition | Edition | Winner | 1st runner-up | 2nd runner-up |
| 1st | 2010 | Jubilee Fireworks | Howards And Sons Pyrotechnics | Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks |
| 2nd | 2011 | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks | Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks |
| 3rd | 2012 | Fireworks Spectaculars | Fireworx | Royal Fireworks* |
| 3rd | 2012 | Fireworks Spectaculars | Oy Pyroman Finland | Royal Fireworks* |
| 4th | 2013 | Jubilee Fireworks | Fireworks Spectaculars | Oy Pyroman Finland |
| 4th | 2013 | Jubilee Fireworks | Liuyang Jinsheng Fireworks | Oy Pyroman Finland |
| 5th | 2014 | Royal Pyrotechnie | Liuyang New Year Fireworks | Jubilee Fireworks |
| 6th | 2015 | Royal Fireworks | Liuyang New Year Fireworks | Grupo Luso |
| 7th | 2016 | Pyrotex Fireworx Ltd. | Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerk | Polaris Fireworks |
| 8th | 2017 | Pyrotex Fireworx Ltd. | Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerk | Polaris Fireworks |
| 9th | 2018 | Pyrotex Fireworx Ltd. | Polaris Fireworks | Alessi Fuochi Artificiali |
| 9th | 2018 | Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerk | Polaris Fireworks | Hands Fireworks |
| 10th | 2019 | Polaris Fireworks | Alpha Pyrotechnie | Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerk |
| 10th | 2019 | Polaris Fireworks | Pyrotex Fireworx Ltd. | Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerk |
| 11th | 2024 | Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerk | Macedos Pirotecnico | Pyrotex Fireworx Ltd. |
| 12th | 2025 | Polaris Fireworks | Pyrotex Fireworx Ltd. | Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerk |
| 12th | 2025 | Polaris Fireworks | Pyrotex Fireworx Ltd. | Royal Pyrotechnie |
* (*) Also the recipient of the People's Choice Award