Firework manufacturers in Bulacan.

Pyrotechnics / fireworks / firecrackers in the Philippines.

The word pyrotechnics refers to the art, craft and science of fireworks.

The discovery of gunpowder and the invention of the first fireworks are traditionally credited to the Chinese, although India is also a likely source. Some scholars believe fireworks were developed in the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907 AD), but others believe there were no fireworks until the Northern Song Dynasty (Tenth Century AD).

In the Han Dynasty (206-220 BC) firecrackers were made by roasting bamboo to produce the loud sound (known as "gung pow") that was intended to frighten evil spirits. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581 AD) the firecrackers were used not only used to dispel evil but also to pray for happiness and prosperity.

Legend has it that Chinese cook accidentally mixed 3 common ingredients: potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal and which he lighted the mixture, a mass of colorful flames-burst forth. The cook also noticed that if the mixture was burned when enclosed in the hollow of a bamboo stalk, there was a tremendous explosion.

Since then, any event -- a birth, death, wedding, coronation, or New Year's celebration -- has become a fitting occasion for noisemakers.

From China, fireworks moved on to the West through explorers. Stories have it that Marco Polo brought this new invention to the West from one of his many trips to China.

 
 

In the Philippines, the pyrotechnics industry had its roots in Bulacan. It was Valentin Sta. Ana who first learned the craft of making fireworks from the parish priest of Santa Maria Town in 1867 during the Spanish Regime. It was said that the parish priest used kwitis or stick rockets to wake up parishioners for the start of Misa de Gallo.  Only specialists were allowed to manufacture, use and handle fireworks, but the priest taught Valentin the basics of fireworks making until he mastered the craft. 

Valentin passed on his skill to his children, Valerio and Fernando Sta. Ana. In 1938, the Sta. Ana brothers opened the Santa Ana Fireworks Factory in Balasing Santa Maria, Bulacan. By 1941, they moved further East to Pulong Buhangin. After the war, the company broke up, and Valerio's brother Fernando put up his own company, Victory Fireworks, which continue to manufacture fireworks to this day. Mr. Fernando Sta. Ana is the one considered as the country's Father of Modern Fireworks and Pyrotechnics (1938).

Early fireworks factory owned by the Sta. Anas includes Universal Fireworks. Their workers also learned the technology fireworks making that gave birth to the mushrooming of factories in Santa Maria, Bocaue, Baliuag, Norzagaray and Angat.

 

Mr. Arcadio Sta. Ana a descendant of Valentin Sta. Ana. Although retired he is still involved in the making of fireworks materials.

 

 

For additional background information about the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers I recommend to visit Estan Cabigas multimedia slideshow about Mactan’s (Cebu) firecracker vendors here and Dennis Villegas coverage about New Year’s Firecrackers and Fireworks here.
 

Comments

[TruBlue]

At least they're not making IED's and blowing themselves out in the malls or populated areas. Glad Noypis are still sane!

[Otto K.]

welcome back. looks like he's making coconut bombs. :)

[bw]

glad you're back... Fireworks making like a cottage industry - kinda dangerous isn't it ?

[don]

A very interesting series about a little-known-to-me production in the Philappines. I liked getting to see where Bulacan is in the country. Fine close up of this retired fireworks maker.

[dong ho]

you really know what to feature sid. i was once selling firecrackers which came from cebu.

[Ruth]

I'm happy to see you. This fireworks history is interesting - especially waking people up for mass. :)

Thank you for your supportive comment about my post.

[Wim van der Meij]

You're back with a nice seriae of quite a character. Sometimes things must go wrong with the fireworks?!

[luna miranda]

Happy New Year, Sidney! Welcome back.

Our pyrotechnics industry is still a backyard industry and many manufacturers lack sufficient safety standards. No protective gloves and mask. I wish the gov't would enforce more stringent quality and safety standards to avoid senseless accidents.

[Standley]

Nice to have you back Sidney. I love the expressions of this guy!

[docgelo]

and so you're back! (from outer space? lol)
i hope i won't see any photos of children involve in firecrackers manufacturing in this series... tsk tsk...

[lagalog]

Hi Sidney, nice to hear you're back with literally, an explosive post :D Have a good year full of travels ahead!

[Photo Cache]

welcome back. so thrilled to read your posts and enjoy all the photos.

[Lasiate]

toujours des découvertes passionnantes! joli portrait

[fortuitous faery]

happy new year, sidney! this is a very fitting topic to welcome the new year! :)

[Zhu]

Great shots!

Chinese are definitely the best at fireworks. My partner still love them and has great stories of growing up in China as a kids and playing with all sorts of firecrackers/ fireworks around Chinese New year.

[dennis]

Welcome back, Sidney! This is an exciting and fascinating series on firecrackers and I know we'll have more to learn if you feature it in your blog.
That fireracker looks like a torpedo! Excellent shots always!

[Joelle]

Ravie de ton retour Sidney et de retrouver des portraits dont tu as le secret :-)

[Michael Rawluk]

You are back with your great social photography. Wonderful.

[pieterbie]

Wow that is one interesting history lesson.
Fireworks were a topic for discussion over here again when last year came to an end. Buying fireworks should be very much regulated over here, but a test showed that just about anything in any quantity will sell to anyone.

[rian]

welcome back, sidney! i really didn't know about the history of firecrackers there in the p.i.. you really did a great job enlightening me.. :D

[Agnes]

Welcome back, Sidney!!
Awesome shots (as always).