Bocaue fireworks sell fast as last-minute buyers troop to Bulacan
BOCAUE, BULACAN—The countdown to New Year’s Eve sparked a last-minute frenzy for fireworks in the country’s fireworks capital, as shoppers poured into Bocaue’s stalls Wednesday morning, just hours before the celebrations began.
Shoppers from Metro Manila and as far as northern and southern Luzon swarmed the designated pyrozone areas at Gov. Halili-Turo near the Northern Luzon Expressway’s Bocaue interchange heading to Sta. Maria town, the Turo area along MacArthur Highway, and in Barangay Biñang 1st, Bunlo, and Lolomboy. Street vendors with makeshift tents and tables also lined the highways.
A resident of Barangay Pulong Bulo in Angeles City arrived with her brother and relatives around 9 a.m. She said buying fireworks has been a family tradition.
“Coming here every year is part of our holiday celebration. It’s not complete without fireworks,” the buyer said, adding that her family typically spends at least P5,000 on their preferred pyrotechnics.
Rolando Cruz from the City of Navotas in Metro Manila spent P30,000 on “sawa” (intertwined string of firecrackers, with its shape likened to a snake), aerial shots, and giant “luces” (sparkler).
“I grew up with these stall owners, buying fireworks for the New Year even when we were kids,” he told the Inquirer.
Cruz noted that lighting pyrotechnic devices “brings joy to ordinary people and should be supported by the government, provided safety measures are followed.”
More parking
Traffic was heavy from Tuesday night until the early hours of Wednesday due to the influx of buyers.
Bocaue Mayor Eduardo Villanueva Jr. and Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna opened additional parking areas to ease congestion. Many stores have been operating 24/7 since the first week of December to accommodate the increased demand.
Lea Alapide, vice president of the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc., said sales for the 2026 New Year celebration are among the best in recent years.
Despite high demand, prices of aerial shot fireworks remained relatively stable, unlike the peak prices seen during the New Year in 2022 when pandemic-related supply shortages drove costs up.
Kristine Enriquez of Uni Star Fireworks noted that while sales are strong this year, prices have not risen dramatically despite production challenges caused by rains, typhoons and floods.
Manolito Porcincula of SRC Fireworks said that while aerial pyrotechnics remained reasonably priced, local products like “kwitis” (skyrocket) and sawa doubled in cost—from P450 to P1,000 per bundle.
Susan Porcincula, owner of SRC Fireworks, said deliveries of aerial shots and other fireworks continued until Tuesday due to the last-minute surge in buyers. “These will be sold until the last drop. Any leftovers will be very minimal,” she said.
