Marilyn Cahatol

Shoppers troop to the Farmers Market in Quezon City on Tuesday, just hours before the calendar turns to 2025, to make last-minute fireworks purchases in preparation for New Year celebrations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

20241231 -firecrakers-new year-

Michael Delizo

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176716315660420241231-fireworks-sale-qc-MT07.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Shoppers troop to the Farmers Market in Quezon City on Tuesday, just hours before the calendar turns to 2025, to make last-minute fireworks purchases in preparation for New Year celebrations. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Hours before the year ends, last-minute buyers have trooped to markets for the last-minute shopping of fireworks and round-shaped fruits, said to bring luck for the shortly coming year of 2026.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/12/30/shoppers-weigh-budget-and-superstition-ahead-of-new-year-s-eve-celebration-1026">Shoppers weigh budget and superstition ahead of New Year&#x27;s Eve celebration</a></div><p>A steady stream of last-minute buyers continues to flock to Bocaue, Bulacan—dubbed the fireworks capital of the Philippines—as they rush to purchase fireworks for New Year celebrations.</p><p>Several vendors said some of the most in-demand items, including powerful sawa and kwitis, as well as illuminated fireworks such as Roman candle luces, are already running out in some stalls.</p><p>Traders expect that by late afternoon, certain stalls may no longer have stocks of popular fireworks as supplies continue to dwindle.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong><u>Prices of fireworks and firecrackers in Bocaue, Bulacan include:</u></strong></div><div><br/></div><ul style="list-style-type:circle"><li>Sawa – P1,500 (1,000 rounds)</li><li>Kwitis – P1,200 (100 sticks)</li><li>Luces – P100 (10 pieces)</li><li>Cone fountain – P70 to P120</li><li>Tube fountain – P200 to P500</li><li>Aerial fireworks – P500 (16 shots)</li></ul><div> </div><p>“Meron pa rin silang mabibili kaya lang kung ano na lang siguro datnan nila, ’yon na lang. Pero ’yong mga items tulad ng kwitis, sawa, wala na,” said vendor Willy Ramos.</p><p>(They can still buy something, but it will depend on what’s left. Items like kwitis and sawa are already gone.)</p><p>He added that prices may drop before closing time—usually around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.—as vendors try to clear their remaining stocks.</p><p>Customer Maricis Viscara, who came all the way from Bacoor, Cavite, said she already spent about P10,000 on fireworks but could not find Roman candles for children. She said she might just settle for luces instead.</p><p>“Para sa kasiyahan ng bata,” she said.</p><p>(For the children’s enjoyment.)</p><p>Despite repeated warnings from authorities about the risks of fireworks, some customers said New Year celebrations are incomplete without them.</p><p>“Tradition eh, pang-alis ng malas,” said Rigor, a returning overseas Filipino worker who also spent about P10,000.</p><p>(It’s tradition—to ward off bad luck.)</p><p>“For good luck and everything. All the good things,” added Louie.</p><p>“We’re manifesting prosperity, fortune, health,” said Angel.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/12/31/fireworks-injury-toll-rises-to-140-doh-1303">Fireworks injury toll rises to 140 — DOH</a></div><p>Meanwhile, the search for round-shaped fruits and new outfits to ring in the New Year with continues at Divisoria in Manila.</p><p>Several families and moms are buying what are traditionally believed to be lucky fruits like oranges, grapes, and pomelo.</p><p>Diane Gadian shared that 2025 was a good year for her family, mainly because no one got sick. She hopes health and good fortune will continue to be on their side this coming 2026. </p><p>Some people were buying new clothes and lucky t-shirts that they can wear during their New Year’s eve celebrations later tonight.</p><p>According to some fruit vendors and other sellers, there were a lot more people this morning but they hope many more last-minute shoppers will come by as the day goes on.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/12/28/vendors-set-up-early-for-fruit-sales-in-quiapo-ahead-of-media-noche-1013">Vendors set up early for fruit sales in Quiapo ahead of Media Noche</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WKstJqE31PU?si=gjxwuTKnZ35h6pcq" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Traders expect that by late afternoon, certain stalls may no longer have stocks of popular fireworks as supplies continue to dwindle.</p>

Traders expect that by late afternoon, certain stalls may no longer have stocks of popular fireworks as supplies continue to dwindle.

Pinoys rush to buy fireworks, round-shaped fruits hours before New Year

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Pinoys rush to buy fireworks, round-shaped fruits hours before New Year

Michael Delizo,

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 31, 2025 02:54 PM PHT

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fireworks

firecrackers

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New Year 2026

Divisoria

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