The first thing the driver tells me as we leave Davao airport for the hotel is that it has been a very quiet New Year in Davao. I asked if by ‘very quiet’ he meant peace. After long years of war and conflict, perhaps? No, he says, quiet because no fireworks are allowed in Davao. But, Manila, he says, oh yes, they had plenty of fireworks!
So many thoughts crossed my mind! No fireworks because this is Mindanao, I figured. Maybe because the fireworks might be mistaken for war noises, they are banned here. It did not sound right to me that the people of this city were deprived of fireworks. So unfair are the consequences of war that simple acts of joy are banned. Of course Manila could do what they want. Then I remembered how much I have rallied against extravagant shows of wealth and celebration every New Year eve! Fireworks (beyond reasonable) then, seemed like an absolute waste of money in a world full of poverty and suffering. In particular, I hated that people went overboard in their happiness (I really dislike the world Happy when wishing someone for the New Year) ushering in a New Year when it was another miserable day of violence and sorrow for many others. Now listening to the driver, I was suddenly feeling sorrow for those who could celebrate with fireworks. I wanted the people of Davao to enjoy the New Year, enjoy the fireworks and be of all things – happy!
As we continued our drive, I was lost in the beauty of Davao – the greenery, the outlines of the hills, the roadside shops and humble homes, the smiling faces. Indeed, I am so happy to be back in Davao. My memories of the people, the streets and smells came back. I enjoyed stepping out of the hotel, getting a few necessities, visiting the bank and having some friendly conversations with the locals. Everyone seems always so ready to help and always with a smile.
Only later, as I read more about the conflict, did I understand that fireworks for all celebrations – Christmas, New Year, Eid, Chinese New Year – was banned in Davao since Christmas of 2001. With the primary intention of reducing injuries and deaths, an ordinance was passed in 2002 to ban firecrackers and guns (shots echoed for celebrations for injuring or killing people)! And so the people of Davao turned creative – they use party horns to create as much noise as they can and New Years Eve since December 31, 2013 has been declared by the Government as the Torotot (party horns) festival.
So, clearly, there was enough noise made to ring in the New Year of 2015. The quietness that the driver referred to was only in relation to lack of fireworks. Most importantly, however, it seemed that the fact that Manila could make noise with fireworks while Davao couldn’t was the real problem.
Can’t wait to begin fieldwork here and learn from the people of Mindanao their experiences and feelings about the conflict.
