Silent night…
When my family and I moved to the Philippines for good in January 1999 we were really looking forward to enjoy our first Christmas here. To be honest, we got shocked about all the din of firecrackers, and shootings. We even experienced shooting with real arms. New Yew Eve it happened the same. Okay, we were used to it from Germany and many other places in the world to greet the New Year with a big bang. But Christmas Eve???
In Davao City law prohibits the use of firecrackers on Christmas and New Years Eve. To be honest, we, and not ONLY WE, enjoy the silent night (and holy night). Question of the week: What do you think about this topic? Leave your comment and let’s share your thoughts and ideas…
Hi Klaus,
It’s true, Davao city is one, if not the only one (I know) that has a strict law against the use of firecrackers on Christmas and New Year. The mayor there is good and justifies this to maintain peace, order, and safetiness of the people especially during the holidays. For the past several years (even a decade or two), the use of firecrackers in Metro Manila is widespread and has caused hundreds of injuries and some deaths and fires in certain areas. It is illegal, and yet being a part of the culture of Filipinos, many still risk themselves just to enjoy lighting up these noisy, fun, but deadly firecrackers.
I actually envy you guys there at Davao where New Year celebration is quite peaceful, safe and not polluted (both air and noise). The opposite is true in Metro Manila.
Do the local police handle this? If a city ordnance is passed, it is up to local law enforcement to make sure it is obeyed. I think you may want to call the local police and inform them that the law is being violated. If the offenders simply stop, that should be good enough.
Best Regards,
RichardInSC
Hi Jio, thanks stopping by. Yeah, we are very happy with our mayor. And our police could handle it very well. Especially my family and me don’t like firecrackers while watching the accidents, like as us said in Manila.
Hi RichardInSC, indeed the police could handle it, as far as we noticed. But to be honest, we don’t go out on Christmas or New Year Eve. We only observed “silence” in our surroundings OR “other noices” (car horns etc.) if it’s midnight. Thanks a lot to you again for dropping by.
Hi Klaus - Am spending the holidays here in Ilocos Norte, and so far, the only fireworks I’ve heard are a few strings of extremely weak firecrackers. I am sure the noise will increase as we come closer to Christmas and New Years. I personally don’t mind the tradition (quite prevalent in the Far East), but I do have a few friends who have to lock themselves up in an air conditioned hotel room for a couple of days when the fireworks start to explode. Their health (primarily lungs) suffers whenever faced by excessive smoke, dust, etc.
One of those friends often uses the quote: “You can’t change the winds, but you can adjust your sails!”
Hi Klaus! It’s pretty much the same here in Gensan though not as strict (well, last year) as Davao probably. Filipinos like their New Years and Christmases to be noisy and crazy. When I was still in Manila on the break of the new year, you’d think your house will explode with the barrage of “paputok”. Silent would be pretty sad though.
Hi Klaus!
Yeah, That is right.Christmas Eve should be silent as the song tells you.
But, To be honest, I miss fireworks in the sky.
and I hope the law would be
changed to that firework ban is applicable only on the special occasions such as Cristmas Eve and etc.
Hi Klaus - when we lived in GenSan there were no anti-fireworks laws there during Christmas and New Years, and it was so loud that you couldn’t sleep at night. Honestly, our kids were scared and would cry when the loud bangs would go off. We love the peace and quiet of Davao, and we praise Mayor Duterte for strongly enforcing this law!
hi klaus - i’m really happy that our mayor bans firecrackers. some years ago i have to go to hospital due to stomach ache on new years eve. and i was surprise that the emergency room of davao medical center had no patients because of firecrackers, only few people were there. I was attended imemdiately by the doctors and nurses. and now we look forward to a silent night and holy night on chrstmas and new year’s eve.
Hi Paul. thanks for stopping by. I agree with you, especially the last sentence. Have a great christmas and New Year in Ilocos Norte.
Hi Cathy, yeah I know paputok. Before we also thought we were in the middle of an “airstrike”. Also for you Happy Christmas and New Year,
Hi Ichi, arigato gozaimas - thanks for leaving a comment. I am happy to see you back also in our blog. Okay, I would agree with you for New Years Eve - and moderate. But on the other hand: what are moderate firecrackers. Let’s go with Paul’s last sentence.
Hi Bob, thanks for dropping by. Yeah, I would strongly agree with you. Even our dogs got crazy. As long Mr. Duterte is our mayor I also would like to praise him for strongly enforcing this law.
Hi Grace, thanks for visiting again my blog. You are indeed right. I also heard that from a friend, who working as a nurse in another Davao hospital. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and surely a silent holy night…
Hi, Klaus
Hello, Paul
“You can’t change the winds, but you can adjust your sails…”
I love this quote!
Hi all,
…I love the fountain ones…This is part I miss Philippines too. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all.
I’m glad we didn’t ban fireworks in Tagum. I love fireworks. I buy them but our youngest is the one who light it. I do sometimes but I usually wrap it in a paper like a tube and put the firecraker at the other end and light the other end and move away fast before it goes off
Hi Ichi, yeah, you’re right. I also love this quotation.
Hi Mady, thanks for dropping by. I wish you also a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.