‘Gangnam boom’ among this year’s powerful firecrackers

MANILA, Philippines - They go by different and even amusing names, but their sound and deadly power are unmistakable.

In the coming New Year’s Eve revelry, avoid “Gangnam boom,” “Pacman” and “goodbye bading,” for they might cost you your limbs or make you spend New Year in jail.

The three are among the types of powerful firecrackers considered illegal by authorities.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has again warned the public against buying and using illegal, powerful and dangerous firecrackers to welcome the New Year.

Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, director of the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Division, said they have been conducting police operations to check and confiscate illegal firecrackers being sold in the market.

“So far we have yet to seize Gangnam boom, Pacman and Goodbye Bading. They’re not yet being sold in abundance. But as the New Year draws nearer, expect them to flood the market. That’s why there’s no letup in our monitoring,” Petrasanta said.

“The names of these illegal firecrackers suggest powerful explosion which is definitely dangerous to the public, especially children,” he said.

He said the name Gangnam Boom was apparently derived from the popular Korean dance craze.

Petrasanta said goodbye bading is so named because of its distinct “gay scream” before exploding.

For Pacman – yes, you guess it.

Petrasanta said other powerful firecrackers are “end of the world,” kabasi, and ultrana.