ILOILO City — Firecrackers once again light up Iloilo for the New Year, a tradition fueled by long-held beliefs and a desire to drive away bad luck despite rising prices and safety concerns.
For many Ilonggos, welcoming the New Year is incomplete without the crackle and boom of fireworks. Beyond celebration, some believe the noise wards off misfortune and negative spirits, a belief deeply rooted in Filipino culture.
On Tuesday, December 30, the Panay News team visited designated firecracker and fireworks zones in Iloilo City to understand why people continue to buy firecrackers despite economic challenges.
Among the buyers was Armando Madas of San Miguel, Iloilo, who purchased assorted firecrackers worth P2,400 at Circumferential Road 1 in the Arevalo district.
Madas, a seafarer, said he rarely gets the chance to celebrate New Year in the Philippines because of his work abroad. When he does, he makes it a point to buy firecrackers, believing they strengthen family bonding and add excitement to the celebration.
More importantly, he said, he believes firecrackers help drive away bad luck and negative spirits, while some are also used to scare birds away from his farm.
“I believe that firecrackers can drive away bad luck. It feels like life becomes lighter. New Year celebrations are happier when there is noise — the joy feels different when everyone is celebrating,” Madas said.
He added, however, that he takes extra precautions when using firecrackers to avoid accidents.
For Carlo Tamon of Tigbauan, Iloilo, buying firecrackers is simply about enjoying the New Year, especially since he celebrates the occasion only once a year.
Tamon said that despite financial difficulties, he sets aside a small budget annually to buy firecrackers, considering it part of his personal tradition.
“Sometimes there’s none, sometimes I buy some — it depends on the budget. But it feels good when there are firecrackers. They say it drives away bad luck,” said Tamon, who spent P1,300 on assorted firecrackers.
He also shared that the excitement helps him stay awake until midnight, something he would otherwise struggle to do.
Meanwhile, Bebot Dairo of San Rafael, Iloilo, said firecrackers have been part of his New Year celebration for as long as he can remember.
“That’s been the tradition since before. Everyone enjoys it because many people are lighting firecrackers. It feels dull when there are none in your home,” Dairo said.
While Dairo believes there is no harm in thinking that firecrackers can drive away bad luck, he emphasized that good fortune should not rely on tradition alone.
“We shouldn’t depend our fate or luck on firecrackers. We still need hard work and discipline to achieve our goals and avoid trouble,” he said.
As the New Year nears, the sound of firecrackers continues to echo across communities — a mix of belief, tradition, hope, and celebration — reminding many Ilonggos that for better or worse, the ritual remains an enduring part of welcoming another year./PN
