Amazing news: Davao City - no firecracker injuries in Philippines biggest city...

It's more or less 41 days to go before we celebrate another year ending and another beginning. It seems like yesterday when I was in Davao City celebrating a danger-free yet fun-filled New Year's Eve. Now, living in Cagayan de Oro City, I long for another smart New Year's celebration in my hometown.

Yes, every holiday season (including Christmas) we Dabawenyos greet New Year without firecracker explosions and thus, no gory scenes of dismembered fingers in hospitals.Think that's boring? Think again.

This will be the seventh year after Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte first implemented the firecracker ban in the city last 2001. True, it somewhat broke a Filipino tradition (a destructive tradition), others even complained and found it difficult to follow such policy. Nowadays, people in Davao City however have embraced the policy to the heart, that even a mild explosion from a tiny firecracker would certainly send shivers down their spines. Yes. We've become used to it. It's good to celebrate New Year without ambulance sirens and the thought of other families "celebrating" the beginning of another year by paying hospital bills and praying for the life of their loveones.

I myself complement our dear mayor's prerogative in passing a law, that prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic device in the city. Other mayors may not do so, other city leaders can't afford to lose such a staggering income from firecrackers -- but our smart mayor can. Common sense tells us that banning firecrackers will prevent injury or even death to people. It is a good policy and I hope it will stay even after Duterte's not heading the city anymore.

There are so many ways to celebrate New Year's Eve noisily and gayly and we Filipinos are known for being resourceful right? Some were seen strumming the guitar and singing with the videoke. Of course, food is there and people are contented in singing and listening to great seasonal music. Some also dance and do other fun-filled activities.

My family and I for example have this games we prepare as we wait for the struck of midnight. Like last New Year's eve, my Mom gave me money prior that day and I bought games stuff and prizes. I then created 5 games that everybody in the family, including our helpers and visitors have participated. It was full of laughing and fun and excitement as everybody enjoyed the games (ey! it's New year after all!) and unleashed the kid's heart in them -- while the real kids have their own games as well and were even busy with their noisy "torotots".

We Dabawenyos can still celebrate -- eating, reveling, singing, dancing, blowing our horns, banging pots and pans, and dragging cans and steel bars with our cars and motorcycles. Others may think of us as boring folks but one thing is for sure, we will be waking up the next morning to see our fingers still intact.

Advance Happy danger-free New Year to all!