Will Davao break world record for most number of party blowers?

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Pedaling a bike attached with a sidecar which serves as his mobile store, 32-year-old Okoron Hariraya beams as a young boy grabs his mother’s hand and points at him.

As Davao – where fireworks have been banned for 11 years – prepares to welcome the New Year, Hariraya’s mobile store would be an instant attraction as it is stuffed with colorful party horns or torotots of different sizes.

This is his second year of making and selling party horns during the holidays, he said.

Hariraya works full time as a fruit vendor. Making party horns is his sideline.

“As early as October, I would start making torotots from used cardboard posters. After I sell pineapples, I usually go home at around 6 in the evening and I would immediately start working on the torotot until 1 in the morning. My life is basically like that until the Holidays,” Hariraya said. 

Most of his products are made from cigarette posters, which are banned in Davao City.

“Because of the ban, I import these used posters from Iligan,” Hariraya said.

Hariraya usually makes an average of 4,000 party horns from October to December, which he sells for P15, P25 and P35 for retail.

“But many of my products are being bought as wholesale by retailers and sidewalk vendors,” Hariraya said.

At the minimum, Hariraya said he would earn at least P15,000 every year.

“The demand in Davao City for party horns is high and consistent because of the ban of firecrackers and pyrotechnics,” Hariraya added.

After 11 years of banning firecrackers and pyrotechnics, the local government of Davao City, along with Smart Communications, is eyeing the Guinness World Record for the most number of party horn blowers welcoming the New Year. Davao hopes to gather at least 10,000 blowers to defeat the 6,000 blowers record of Japan.

“I will be proud as a resident of Davao if we will be able to grab the record. It is proof that we can celebrate the New Year free from firecrackers,” Hariraya said.

The enterprising vendor said he is also happy that aside from the profit, he can also contribute to ensuring merrier and safer Christmas and New Year celebrations in the city.

“Party horns are not just cheaper compared to firecrackers and fireworks but these are also safer. The smiles on the faces of the children celebrating a safe New Year is priceless,” Hariraya said.

He added that helping in making the Holidays safer is his good luck charm for 2014. – Rappler.com