NO BALLOONS. Thousands of balloons were released into the air last Saturday during and after the Sto. Niño procession, a colorful eye candy to the people. But one environmentalist said balloons should not be released into the air as they pose danger to the environment. She said these balloons carried out into the sea pollute the waters and are toxic to sea creatures. She said, “Sea turtles and big fish eat these balloons, mistaking them for jellyfish. Makamatay kining mga balloons para nila. They should ban these balloons.”
PETITION ON BALLOONS. Devotees of the Sto. Niño write petitions and prayers on pieces of paper and tie them to balloons. Last Saturday, thousands of these balloons were released into the air when the caro of the Sto. Niño passed by. The environmentalist said, “Kasabot ko nga naay religious meaning ang ilang gibuhat, pero they should think of safer alternatives to this practice, like planting a tree with their prayers and petitions buried underneath. They can then watch their trees grow.”