Hey Kahlil….

I share your sentiments on the risk factor and the “bigger bang” theory in the case of the pinoy’s enthusiasm for fireworks. As for the significance to the Chinese, maybe one of them can post to set the record straight. What I know is that they have used fireworks since the 7th century, and I doubt it’s because they want it loud for their fiestas, hehe.

Thanks for your clarification, Homer. And yeah, Kahlil’s spot on. The bigger the bang, the more they like it. In other words, the more fingers you stand to lose (or the whole hand), the more exciting it seems for them. Until the fingers or hand actually come off. Well, there you go, I’m sure they have the same attitude towards the country…

@ Kahlil: I’m sure Pinoy culture was fundamentally the same back in the 1960′s, although today, there seems to be a general loss of direction compared to that time. It seems to have something to do with the kind of freedom we enjoy today — too much of it underpinned by too little substance and vision. It’s like the difference between a 5-year-old left to do as he pleases and a 25-year-old also left to do as he pleases. The 5-year-old will probably engorge himself with sweets, make a mess of the house, and play video games all day. A 25-year-old on the other hand will be out there making something of his life. A 5-year-old will lack all but the most rudimentary and shortsighted regard for his future, whereas a 25-year-old will be well aware of where he will most likely end up in if he doesn’t shape up.

Between the 5-year-old and the 25-year-old in the above example, which one of the two do we think earned the right to be free?

“…but you can’t deny how much more significant it is to their culture.”

Hey homer….
I’m not sure how significant firecrackers are to the Chinese but i’m mostly sure they’ve not forgotten its symbol. What i’ve noticed about some pinoys who like firecrackers is the fact that they like it even more if it’s louder and bigger. The risk factor is so enticing to them that i’m not sure if they’re really out to rid themselves of evil spirits or they’re tired of having useless limbs

now it works

“…but you can’t deny how much more significant it is to their culture.”

Hey homer…
I’m not sure how significant firecrackers are to the Chinese but i’m mostly sure they’ve not forgotten its symbol. What i’ve noticed about some pinoys who like firecrackers is the fact that they like it even more if it’s louder and bigger. The risk factor is so enticing to them that i’m not sure if they’re really out to rid themselves of evil spirits or they’re tired of having useless limbs

oh, now it works

“…but you can’t deny how much more significant it is to their culture.”

Hey homer…
I’m not sure how significant firecrackers are to the Chinese but i’m mostly sure they’ve not forgotten its symbol. What i’ve noticed about some pinoys who like firecrackers is the fact that they like it even more if it’s louder and bigger. The risk factor is so enticing to them that i’m not sure if they’re really out to rid themselves of evil spirits or they’re tired of having useless limbs

oh, now it’s working

“In the Marcos era, inane and inciteful commentary, consumption of imported goods, and cultural trash was suppressed.”

hello benign0…

now i’m really starting to wonder how pinoy culture was in the 60s in relation to the other Asian countries at the time. i heard stories that the philippines was an enviable country for the progress it was making then but i’m starting to suspect that the downward spiral of our culture started even before that time. i’m curious why the marcos regime had to suppress “inane and inciteful commentary, consumption of imported goods, and cultural trash” and what these materials are. i know voltes V was canceled but i don’t know the reason why it should be canceled

“In the Marcos era, inane and inciteful commentary, consumption of imported goods, and cultural trash was suppressed.”

hello benign0…

now i’m really starting to wonder how pinoy culture was in the 60s in relation to the other Asian countries at the time. i heard stories that the philippines was an enviable country for the progress it was making then but i’m starting to suspect that the downward spiral of our culture started even before that time. i’m curious why the marcos regime had to suppress “inane and inciteful commentary, consumption of imported goods, and cultural trash” and what these materials are. i know voltes V was canceled but i don’t know the reason why it should be canceled.

“…but you can’t deny how much more significant it is to their culture.”

Hey homer…
I’m not sure how significant firecrackers are to the Chinese but i’m mostly sure they’ve not forgotten its symbol. What i’ve noticed about some pinoys who like firecrackers is the fact that they like it even more if it’s louder and bigger. The risk factor is so enticing to them that i’m not sure if they’re really out to rid themselves of evil spirits or they’re tired of having useless limbs.

I agree the fireworks allowed by authorities should be safer. i also remember the ban on fireworks before. Your guess is as good as mine with why it was never enforced….And yes, fireworks that don’t explode would be too boring for some. Thus, the usual resistance. Nothing new there.

I didn’t intend to generalize about Chinese and firecrackers, but you can’t deny how much more significant it is to their culture. For one thing, they handle it much better than we do, and they’ve been at it much longer than we have. I just wanted to illustrate ONE example of how difficult it would be for local authorities to ban paputok “just like that”…And no, the Bocaue suppliers aren’t mostly Chinese, but you can ask them who (among their many patrons) comes back every year to pay a hefty sum for them…and they aren’t mostly Pinoy.