Pogo Grande lights 110,000 firecrackers
TRADITIONAL HIGH NOON REVELRY
SINCE 2007, New Year Revelry in Dagupan does not end at past 12 midnight of January 1.
Residents, visitors and tourists troop to the city’s Barangay Pogo Grande for the barangay’s traditional simultaneous lighting of thousands of firecrackers, 110,000 to be exact, at 12 noon of January 1.
“High noon of January 1 is like a fiesta to us,” mused George Galvan, barangay kapitan of Pogo Grande since 2007.
This year, 110,000 firecrackers, composed of varied sizes, makes and shapes, were exploded.
Barangay Pogo Grande folks prepare for the traditional ear-splitting high noon revelry on January 1.
Galvan admitted that among the lit firecrackers in a zoned area were ‘whistle bombs’, ‘Super Lolos’, ‘Judas Belts’, ‘Goodbye Philippines, ‘Goodbye Miss Columbia’, all manufactured in Pogo Grande.
Preparations for the high noon revelry usually begin weeks before January 1. A sponsor gives the go-signal for the manufacture of all kinds of firecrackers be strung together early morning of January 1. Then these are carefully hung on poles ten meters above the ground.
The firecrackers, more than one-kilometer long, starts from Pogo Grande ends at the boundary with Pogo Chico.
This year, Mayor Belen Fernandez did the ceremonial lighting for the first time upon the invitation of Galvan and this year’s sponsor, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Ramos.
“The mayor was reluctant to come as she was not accustomed to watching firecracker explosions but she was assured the actual lighting of the set would be done by an experienced team,” said Galvan.
He said since the high noon tradition started, there have been no serious injuries because of the adequate safety measures put in place.
Those reported were visitors who ignored warnings against getting too close to the designated zone.
He said there is always a close coordination with the police, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Red Cross and the regional hospital for the preparation and the actual lighting.
A fire truck follows the sequence of explosion ready to hose down any firecracker that goes wayward and hits adjacent houses.
Galvan said a sponsor (hermano mayor) is invited every year as to pay for the special batch of firecrackers to be prepared by local manufacturers for the annual high noon revelry.
To the residents, their annual event is held to drive away the evil spirits and bad luck and to usher in prosperity and continued good health for them. (Leonardo Micua)
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