"Santa" campaigns against firecrackers

CEBU - Pedestrians along Colon Street yesterday were surprised at the sight of a man dressed as Santa Claus blowing on a large paper trumpet and warning people against using fireworks.

The man, who calls himself “Boy”, 61, a resident of barangay Calamba, Cebu City, said he has been doing this for two years now. He said he does not work for anyone and does this for free. 

“Likay pabuto gamit Torotot” the pennant under his trumpet reads.

While trumpet vendors along Colon St. were happy with what he was doing, firecracker vendors insisted their fireworks are safe and legal and they do not sell products that can harm consumers.

Trumpet vendor Rady Vilar said his sales are not as good as last year but he is hoping that what “Boy” is doing can convince people to buy his products.

A firecracker vendor who only identified herself as “Linda” said she only sells small and safe firecrackers and her buyers are already aware of the what not to do when using them.

She also said her sales have gone up compared to last year despite the economic crisis.

“Boy” said he also dresses up as a skeleton every Sinulog and campaigns against drugs. — AJ dela Torre, CIT Masscom intern/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)