Light Expo to help blind children

They brought a dazzling spectacle of lights to the country that will give a glow of hope to poor blind children.

The first World Light Expo-Philippines, which opened last month on an open space at the junction of Roxas Boulevard and Coastal Road in Paranaque City, hopes to help visually impaired kids recover, said Mina Choi-Lee, spokesperson for the 2007 WLEP.

The WLEP, which kicked off last Feb. 13 and ends April 22, exhibits two million bulbs of different sizes, types and intensities.

In an interview, Choi-Lee said part of the proceeds of the show would be donated to several institutions that are taking care of blind children.

She said they are not limiting the number of their beneficiaries. "WLEP wants to spend the profit to cure many children."

"This is the essence of the lights display," she stressed.

A school for the blind in Pasay City as well as other foundations dedicated to uplifting the lives of children already have the commitment of WLEP, Choi-Lee said. She refused to disclose more details.

Choi-Lee said they are planning to hold the light expo annually in the Philippines, even as other countries have invited the organizers.

The lights exhibit showcases a 50-meter water screen that projects a dazzling water laser display, and an innovative hologram that projects a three-dimensional look to pictures of people, scenery even the Philippine flag, and capable of flashing advertisements.

The show also features live entertainment that highlights popular Korean, Chinese and Filipino circus performances.

One of the interesting must-see sights is the Chinese dragon made of porcelain plates illuminated by a wave of lights.

Among the attractions are the Qin Emperor’s Terracotta Army, Korean lanterns, a replica of a pagoda, the London Bridge and Eiffel Tower as well as a water fountain.

But there is more, as the much-anticipated opening of the Harbin Ice Hall displaying the works of sculptors from China comes in the first week of March.

The WLEP, considered as the first and biggest lights display in the country, is a joint project of Korea-based Way Entertainment, E-Tec and Poong Ryu Tong Entertainment, which are hosting some of the biggest luminary displays in Korea and Asia over the last few years.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), which is among the sponsors, said it is sponsoring some 15, 000 tickets to be distributed to selected public schools in Metro Manila to allow students to experience the unique lights display.

Mike Cedaña, assistant managing head of Pagcor’s Corporate Communication division earlier said this would also boost the country’s tourism revenues even in a short period.