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Cordova pabuto

31 December 2008 22 Comments


This is a multimedia post Speak of Cebu and images of the Sto. Nino, the province’s patron, comes to mind. And so does the valiant Lapu-Lapu, sweet mangoes, the famous lechon, guitars and beaches. But it is more than that. Cebu is a special and beautiful place. It is also my home.

This is also the fourth and last Christmas feature for 2008. The previous three are Bibingka, puto bumbong and simbang gabi, Bright and colorful parols lighting the holidays and Divisoria Christmas shopping rush.

A "sawa" or boa so called because of its length. This firecracker is around 80 meters long and costs around P2,500.

A "sawa" or boa so called because of its length. This monster is around 80 meters long consisting of thousands of smaller firecrackers and costs around P2,500.

Cordova in Mactan Island is not only a good vantage point for scenic views of Cebu City but, foremost of all, it is the acknowledged pabuto or firecracker center of the province. The firecracker industry here has been running for around three decades already and every December, small scale makers start this seasonal endeavor. 

The main manufacturing site is located in Barangay Babag 2 where makeshift shelters with plastic roofing are put up in open spaces behind houses along the road. Workers are mostly from this place but some are either contracted or come to work from other areas. It can be tedious and routinary with a different person doing a specific task. Their finished products are then sold to different vendors who sell these firecrackers along the highway in this municipality or across the rest of the province. Work ends on the last day of the year.

Check out the multimedia slideshow above consisting of 22 images with voice over.

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Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger, freelance photographer and writer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has contributed to local and international publications including CNN Go, National Geographic Magazine, Geo (Germany), Sunday Times Magazine (London) and other publications.

To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.

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  • http://lenscapades.blogspot.com/ Gibb

    Is it true that some firecrackers made in Cordova are packaged as “Made in Bulacan” to appeal to more buyers? As the latter is more marketable compared to the ones made in Cordova.

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    Bai, I don’t have any information about that. It might be possible as they can charge more for it.

  • http://batobatopikni-em.blogspot.com/ Em

    That was a very nice mini documentary. I am pretty concerned about the way they make the paputok because they are not even wearing gloves or adopting any protective measures to ensure that their health will not be affected by the chemicals they are working on.

    thanks for sharing!

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    Em, unfortunately, like most backyard industries here, health and safety isn’t really a priority. When I asked them about it, they said that they just wash it with water.

  • http://www.nomadicpinoy.com Dennis

    The subject of your great photo looks so benign until I realize what it is! haven’t seen a pabuto in a long time, not here in new york or even in my native davao city where it’s bawal. Have a healthy new year!

  • http://missigorota.blogspot.com miss igorota

    what a colorful and explosive piece…the photos of the silvery hands from all the powder are especially remarkable.

    happy new year!

  • http://batobatopikni-em.blogspot.com/ Em

    It was scary, I grew up taking granted the effects of chemicals to ones health until my own father and uncle succumbed to work related cancers. They also took everything for granted themselves not knowing how painful it is for the ones they are leaving behind. But then I can’t blame them, they are just trying to earn a living. Hay, ours is such a complicated world. Sorry to be so emo Estan. Kasalanan ng mga pics mo… they look so real…hehe

  • http://www.dongism.blogspot.com dong ho

    dati bumili din ako dyan. hehehe… sikat nga yan at murang mura ang paputok dyan.

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    dennis, indeed, davao is banning firecrackers. when I was working there, it’s kind of a different new year celebration without the bangs and booms :)

    ms igorota, yep, its very interesting pero yun nga lang, it’s not really healthy.

    ems, well, life for many pinoys is overly complicated and hard. firecracker making are opportunities for them to make a quick buck in time for the holiday season pero what will be their future?

    dong, talaga? you’ve spent sometime in cebu?

  • http://www.ironwulf.net Ferdz

    You are really getting better at this Estan. Ayus ang documentation. kaw rin ba nag voice over?

    Happy new year! And have a blessed 2009!

  • http://www.lagalog.com lagalog

    ei bai, a blessed new year to you!

    spent the new year in zamboanga and we got a surprise upon knowing that the firecrackers there are actually made in bulacan. it’s a welcome surprise din to know that those firecrackers are actually being manufactured in cebu. i just hope the precautions of manufacturing them are strictly adhered to, for the sake of the workers.

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    thanx ferdz. i did the voice over :)

  • http://langyaw.com estan

    bai ogs, musta!

    bulacan is the biggest firecracker manufacturing province in the country and no wonder, their products are found in many places. as for cordova, they’re found in open areas but my main concern is how will these workers be protected from the harmful fumes? they don’t wear any protection.

  • http://lantaw.blogspot.com Allan

    Happy New Year bro! Wish you all the best for 2009. Dami na ring gumagawa ng firecrackers sa amin sa South Cotabato, mostly mga taga-Bulacan din na nag migrate dun

  • http:///www.norwichdailyphoto.com joy

    I didn’t realise that Bulacan had a rival in firecracker making! It should be interesting what happens next in the business.

    Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comments. Have a great start to your first week in 2009!

    joy
    A Pinay In England
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    I, Woman

  • http://www.lawstude.blogspot.com lawstude

    yan pala equivalent ng bulacan dito sa luzon. bulacan is my neighboring province and we usually go there a week before new year to have our firecrackers. great job again on the docu estan and happy new year.

  • http://www.dongism.blogspot.com dong ho

    five years ako dyan. hehehe…

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  • http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/ dodong flores

    I agree with Dr. Joy. didn’t have any idea Cordova could compete Bulacan. Excellent documentation here, Estan…

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