Sales up for `Pacquiao’ firecracker as illegal makers re-brand

BOCAUE, Bulacan, Philippines—Attention is again focused on firecracker injuries, prompting underground manufacturers of powerful and unlicensed firecrackers to exploit the “Pacquiao” brand name to boost sales in the run-up to New Year’s Eve.

No fireworks trader here will admit selling the illegal product named after world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, although many will swear to its existence.

The government also reiterated its ban on phosphorus sticks like “piccolo” or “watusi”—which create sparks when rubbed against a hard surface—because of cases in the past of children accidentally ingesting the toxic product.

The Pacquiao firecrackers, which come in the form of thick, black phosphorus sticks, are imported from China, but underground traders package these as Bulacan-made.

The Pacquiao and piccolo-type items are sold in small boxes, each containing 50 sticks. A ream of Pacquiao (equivalent to 10 boxes) fireworks can be sold for P120 to P150. The regular piccolo set of 10 boxes sells for P70.

There has also been a high demand in the market for “Goodbye Gloria,” whose wrapping is emblazoned with the President’s face, “Bin Laden” and “Goodbye Philippines.”

On Wednesday, customers lined up at stalls along the so-called Pyro-Zone in Turo, Bocaue, seeking these illegal products, said Ella Tolentino, a fireworks stall attendant.

She said sales of regulated fireworks have been brisk since the Christmas weekend.

Some stores ended their day with P1 million in revenue, she said, adding that before December 25, sales averaged between P30,000 and P50,000.

Vimie Erise, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc., said the industry does not condone the sale of illegal fireworks.

Tolentino said whenever customers ask for illegal firecrackers, stall attendants have been directed to push “Saturn,” colorful fireworks that cost P250.

A 27-year-old man from Batangas City stopped by the Pyro-Zone at 2 a.m. on Wednesday looking for Goodbye Gloria and was quickly told that the licensed stalls had never sold these items, she said.

The attendant said she asked the man why he would want to buy Goodbye Gloria, to which he answered: “It’s like setting [the former President] on fire.”