BOCAUE, Bulacan—Pinoy traditional firecrackers “sawa” and “kwitis” (sky rocket) remain the two all-time favourite fireworks in welcoming the new year.
They are the most fast-moving firecrackers (paputok) every year, not only because of their cheaper prices compared to expensive pyrotechnics (pailaw) like the aerial shots but because they symbolize driving away bad and evil spirits in welcoming the new year, says Lea Alapide, president of Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) in an interview at her stall in Barangay Turo on Sunday.
“What people focus on are sawa and kwitis based on the belief that the huge bang being these two firecrackers bring away bad luck and bad spirit and is a must in welcoming the new year,” she said.
Sawa and kwitis are among the most common local firecrackers manufactured in Bocaue and Sta. Maria and other towns in Bulacan. Firecrackers are often only produced loud sounds or explosions on the ground and or in the air while pyrotechnics, most commonly only produce lights and do not explode.
Fountains, luces, are among the most common traditional Pinoy-made pyrotechnics while aerial shots that were influenced by foreign countries had also been a regular favourite in years. The aerial shots are the ones used in fireworks displays and shows and are commanding prices.
However, well-off families prefer them for safety and for more entertainment.
The last minute sales since Dec. 26, a day after Christmas day at nearly 100 stalls in Turo-Bocaue, Turo going to Sta. Maria and Binang 1st along the MacArthur highway in this fireworks capital of the country are like movie theatres showing blockbuster films with jam packed buyers, one next to each other.
Mark Velarde, 38, from Tarlac City and engaged in the trucking business drove to Turo-Sta. Maria pyrozone on Sunday and bought P10,000 worth of 56,000 rounds of sawa. “It has been our family tradition for years to drive away bad and evil spirits for a continued good business in the coming new year,” he told NEWSCORE.
According to Alapide, more people came to Bocaue and other stalls in Bulacan this year and they bought even more products compared to previous years. She said despite a last minute increase in prices of fireworks this year, the costs of almost all the products are lowered this year compared to last year. That’s why people find them fitting in their budget.
“It is lighter for them to purchase fireworks this year. Many products particularly sawa and kwitis fit their budget,” she added.
Evelyn Pardo, 50, a fireworks dealer in Cubao has been returning to Alapide’s store almost every wee hour of the night since the third week of December because all her products are always sold to the last drop. “I come here almost every midnight to replenish my products. People are more into fireworks this year compared to last year,” she said.
Improved sales due to May 2025 election
She said there is an improved sales of fireworks this year because of the election period. “The local government units, the officials, they are politicians running in the next year’s election. They did not require voluminous permits. Next year, it will be harsh again to the industry because it is no longer an election period,” she said.
From P8.00 per piece, kwitis is now at P9.00 per piece and worth P900 per bundle of 100 pieces. It will go up to as high as P1,200, particularly the special type or the branded ones.
Sawa in 500-1,000-2,000,5,000-10,000 rounds are P500-P1,000-P2,000-P5,000-P10,000 worth and has started to increase to additional P50-100 each.
Aerial pyrotechnics also started to increase. The P1,800 worth 20 shots is now P2,000 worth; the P3,500 worth 36 shots is now worth P4,500; the P5,500 worth 49 shots is now at P6,500; the 72 shots worth P7,500 is now 8,500; the 100 shots two minute run worth P9,500 is now P10,500 and the 268 shots 5 min-run worth P38,000 is at P45,000-P48,000.
The prices of fountains with P100 as the lowest also increased to P1,200 based on the sizes. Luces however remain at P70-P80 per 10 pieces.
Uni-Star Fireworks which distributes and sells purely aerial shots supplied by Dragon Fireworks, a local-aerial shot, pyrotechnic manufacturing company based in San Rafael town, already ran out of stocks on Sunday.
She said she is not certain if there will be enough supplies to arrive for the last 2 day-time and last night sales on Monday and Tuesday, less than 72 hours before the world welcomes the new year. “Those who want to ensure safety and create an aerial show atmosphere in their respective backyards and lawns really prefer the aerial shots, and every year, our stocks are always moving fast,” she told NEWSCORE.
