8-8-8

They showed the world that they're the ones who invented fireworks as far back as the 12th century. And Beijing skyline was flooded with multi-colored lights from sporadic explosions of some awesome pyrotechnics. Not only in the Bird's Nest where the opening ceremonies was taking place. But in almost all corners of the capital city.

But fireworks aren't everything. The Chinese made it clear that the 40 billion dollars (or so it was estimated) they spent will translate to one spectacular Olympic Games. And based on the Opening Ceremonies, it must be.

The opening number of hundreds (or thousands is it?) of drummers moving in unison banging onto their drums that lit up for the countdown was simply amazing. And what followed were grand production numbers one after the other.

An electronic scroll covering almost the entire length of the huge stadium? And the undulating blocks turning into different forms - the great wall is one - which, at first i thought was done via some hydraulic mechanism controlled by computers? Well it was one delightful surprise when towards the end of the segment i noticed feet under the blocks! It's people inside! Talk about absolute precision!

And the lighting of the torch? Really cool, thanks to some sturdy harness the guy made it safely around the stadium running some 100 feet up in the air! Awesome. (Though I think the torch lighting in the 92 Barcelona Games is still the best so far.)

I thoroughly enjoyed the full hour of pageantry that Beijing brought us. They've made it a huge platform to showcase their very colorful and diverse culture. They made it their very own. And it was one fabulous event the London Games will find very difficult to top.

Though the fireworks must have made the pollution a lot worse.

To those who missed the ceremonies, you missed a whole bunch. And all you can do is just feast on the visuals through these pics.

it was first laid out on the floor then lifted slowly giving the illusion of the five rings soaring upwards, just like the spirits of the games

dancers clad in illuminated suits re-create the Bird's Nest structure

yup, these are people stuck to the earth that rose right in the middle of the stadium. though i can't figure out how'd they defy gravity. weird but amazing!

these are the blocks i was rambling about. doesn't look good in pics but they were awesome on tv!

these huge paddles must be heavy and difficult to manipulate. but the dancer's dexterity and strength made the segment quite a spectacle.

this was just a small part of the gigantic fireworks

that's the huge electronic scroll with thousands of dancers that look like strands of white hair

and that's our Manny proudly parading the Philippine colors