Cordova pabuto
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 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.
Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger and freelance photographer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine. To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.
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.
Bai, I don’t have any information about that. It might be possible as they can charge more for it.
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!
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.
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!
what a colorful and explosive piece…the photos of the silvery hands from all the powder are especially remarkable.
happy new year!
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
dati bumili din ako dyan. hehehe… sikat nga yan at murang mura ang paputok dyan.
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?
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!
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.
thanx ferdz. i did the voice over
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.
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
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
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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.
five years ako dyan. hehehe…
I agree with Dr. Joy. didn’t have any idea Cordova could compete Bulacan. Excellent documentation here, Estan…
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I enjoy the freedom that going to places entails, both the trip itself and the destination, revelling in the many things that the act of travel offers: the sounds, the sights, the people and the flavors.
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