What was supposed to be a simple celebration to ring in the new year ended up with at least eight people in the hospital, five damaged houses, and a brown out in the area.
According to Nicky M., a faulty box of fireworks from the Quezon City Mayor’s Office exploded in front of their house. When they reached out to the office, they were allegedly told they would be reimbursed for the injuries and damaged property. However, they have heard nothing since then.
According to Nicky:
How can you be in the wrong place at the wrong time when you were just waiting for the clock to finally strike 12 outside your home with the rest of your family, an immediate plan on running back inside, outscore bills and coins against your cousins and siblings then enjoy the Media Noche feast until sunrise?
How can a planned New Year’s eve that revolved around a good menu and zero loud firecrackers (well, except for those cute baby sparklers), something obviously child friendly that you’ve been doing every year since you were born, end up interestingly on a hospital bed during the first 30 minutes of 2016 with 5 of your family members, 1 friend and 3 neighbors, all traumatized and injured?
I’d also like to know why a peaceful community like ours deserved a box full of deadly fireworks from the good people of QC Hall headed by Mayor Herbert Bautista when in fact, we all know that the government has been actively campaigning nationwide against such? Really? You’re using good people’s hard earned tax money like this?
Nicky then said that the Mayor’s Office could have used the money for other things, like lechon (roast pig) or a box of fruits.
Quick suggestion, since you are fond of giving boxes. A box full of fruits or maybe a box of Lechon or anything of the same amount (clearly, since someone pinned down a hefty budget for these deadly bomb like firework boxes in every QC brgy. as confirmed by our Barangay officials) that will benefit the community more rather than something that is meant to give us a few minutes of New Year’s “fun” or in this case, deadly bomb like danger.
However, she is still thankful that it was drizzling, which meant less casualties.
I am not angry, i’m not one to play the blame game either. I am aware that no one wished for it to happen. You won’t hear rants or too much cussing from me. Clearly, I don’t have the energy and the time for that. What I do have though are a lot of questions. Those, believe me, are things that someone in authority better answer and align quick since I am not really that patient for something THIS urgent.
It’s no fun seeing nothing but black smoke after what seemed to be a defeaning bomb explosion in front of you. No fun seeing your brother, who is usually strong and hyper, crawl out of exhaustion grasping for air or see your Aunt almost having a heart attack, also having to tell your cousin that her jaw is blood soaked swollen real bad. Definitely no fun in reassuring your very confused 5year old nephew that everything will be fine soon. And oh yeah, zero fun in having to discover that you have shrapnel like wounds in your face, arms, tummy, legs and first degree burn on your lower left chin and right thigh. No fun spending the eve in the hospital, changing your plans as a family since you have to go back to the hospital on the first day of 2016 for second opinion.
I had a few good discoveries though bec of this incident. One would be that our youngest brother had the toughest presence of mind compared to all of us, immediately giving water to everyone and making sure that we’re up and well.I have realized that a 5 year old little boy can actually take in 3 needles if you tell him that he is really really brave, or your brother’s abs made of steel will take any explosion and will not be scratched one bit no matter what happens, normal life will go on for you and your cousin after your hospital trip, both will continue with the rest of New Year’s food binge at home even if it’s very difficult to open your mouths because of your burns.
Lastly, the best part for me was when the following day, our whole family ends up laughing about all the bloopers over good food and good coffee then switch back to the real issue just as quick, too.
We will never forget.
This New Year’s incident didn’t ruin my 2015 and it will surely not ruin my 2016. It shifted everything to a different ball game.
She also has a message for the Mayor’s Office.
We need answers and we need action real quick. Kagawads have been coordinating with us ever since the incident, well they are our neighbors afterall , but no word from anyone significant from QC Hall or even our Brgy Captain.
5 houses damaged, caused brownout, numerous constituents injured and traumatized. Isn’t that alarming enough to get anyone’s full urgent attention?
Life will continue and someone needs to answer all questions.
Quick.
A netizen was able to capture the incident on camera. Watch the video below*:
* The owner of the video remains unidentified. If you, or you know the person who owns this video, please send a message to koji.wheninmanila@gmail.com for proper credit
How can we better protect ourselves during New Year’s Eve? Share your ideas below!
