Annual Pogo Grande fireworks display draws bigger crowd
TRENDING AT THE INTERNET
BARANGAY Pogo Grande in Dagupan, known as a firecracker-producing community, has drawn a bigger crowd this year in its traditional New Year’s Day noon fireworks spectacle, thanks to online publicity.
“I talked to balikbayans who said they have watched the high noon blast in YouTube and they made it a point to see the revelry first hand that’s why they came here,” said Barangay Councilor Myrna Esteves.
The tradition was actually started by the firecracker-producing family of Esteves 14 years ago when they lighted all the unsold and unused items on January 1 in their compound.
Their neighbors later joined in and the activity eventually evolved into an annual community event.
At 12 noon on the first day of 2013, some 90,000 pieces of firecrackers carefully strung together and lined up from the barangay hall up to the intersection of Pogo and Lasip, were lit and created a non-stop popping noise for about three minutes.
Spectators estimated at more than 2,000 included residents, people from other towns, foreign visitors, and media representatives who covered the event.
Barangay chairman George Galvan, who led the lighting, said he is overwhelmed by the attention and the attendance.
Galvan said some locals now living overseas even sent donations for more firecrackers to make the spectacle grander.
Next year, he added, the barangay plans to hold a short program before the blast.
Various groups, including the Panda Panda Firefighting Brigade, Red Cross and the police, sent fire trucks, ambulances and representatives to ensure safety of spectators.
No injury or damage to property was reported. (PIA-Pangasinan/VHS)
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