Vancouver Filipino community ‘proud’ after 2023 Celebration of Light win
Posted August 1, 2023 9:41 pm.
Filipinos in Vancouver are celebrating after winning both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Competition awards for their performance at the 2023 Honda Celebration of Light.
Drum Roll Please…
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Team Philippines was honoured as this year’s winner in both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Competition Awards, based on a tightly choreographed performance.
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Thank you to our partners for making this event possible and we will see you all next summer! pic.twitter.com/QgmHJ15k7J— Celebration of Light (@CelebOfLight) August 1, 2023
On Saturday, Blue Peacock represented the Philippines at the musical fireworks competition — facing off against teams from Australia and Mexico.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of Philippines Independence Day, which the team chose as its theme.
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It was the first time the Philippines got to compete, and it took six months of planning to pull off. The team’s show designer Robert Basihan says it’s something he’s wanted to do for years.
“I started sending my letter of intent to join the competition since 2015 and finally after eight years we were able to enter … and the first time we joined we won,” he said.
“At first when I woke up this morning, I couldn’t believe it when I read the message coming from one of the fireworks technical crew … I felt like I was still dreaming.”
Rhea Santos, a video journalist at OMNI, was at English Bay on Saturday. She says this win means a lot to Filipinos living both in Vancouver and back home.
“It’s the best feeling. I’m happy for the community,” she said. “Filipinos here have two to three jobs, they’re very busy. This is a break from their jobs and just being with friends and family and just enjoying the fireworks – and now, winning the competition? That feels awesome.”
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The Vancouver Police Department says it was a safe event for the most part, though Sgt. Steve Addison adds three people — including two officers — were assaulted by a cyclist that day before the fireworks started.
“A cyclist who was attempting to ride his bike through a pedestrians-only area, specifically near where those food trucks were, very congested, that cyclist was stopped by a worker in the area, there was a conflict between the two that resulted in the worker being assaulted.”
When officers came onto the scene to help, police say they too were assaulted. Addison says they’re not seriously hurt.
“As a result of that the cyclist was arrested, was transported to jail and we’re anticipating that that person will be charged.”
Thank you to Blue Peacock Fireworks for putting on a fantastic show last night! pic.twitter.com/Bep8SGEeIp
— Celebration of Light (@CelebOfLight) July 30, 2023
Basihan says he’s already been invited to dinners with friends in the Philippines to celebrate the win, and the consulate general in Vancouver has sent her regards.
“Congratulatory and they are very proud being a Filipino of course and for Team Philippines to be able to do this one,” he said in regards to the community.
“Thank you for making the Filipinos proud,” Santos added.
