After the tragedy brought about by Yolanda, the idea of celebrating much more spending thousands for firecrackers is improbable. But come New Year's Eve, the kids and the people in my community, my neighborhood in Cantubo here in Ormoc City, have started making the age-old traditional noise maker/home-made cannon or bazooka called LANTAKA, made from all the canned goods we've been receiving as relief goods from many generous donors. And I'm telling you, this is exactly how those tin cans can be recycled and there's quite a lot of cans just lying around here.


Okay, first things first. You need the following:

• Canned goods/tin cans for recycling, i.e. sardines, tuna, corned beef, etc.
• Plastic bottle
• Packaging tape or electrical tape
• Cricket electronic lighter
• Tools (hammer, knife, nail, scissors, etc.)
• Alcohol or Flying Tiger fluid
• Optional: Toy gun for trigger
• Imagination and creativity

If done right, you'll get something like this:

The closest thing I'll ever own to a grenade launcher! HAHA! XD

A word of caution: DOH actually bans the use of a lantaka or boga as it is commonly referred to in Luzon as it carries a risk of blast or burn injury. However, personally, I think is way better than firecrackers where you risk losing a finger or two, or maybe a whole hand if you're not careful. it's up to the user to be informed on the proper use of a lantaka which is not a toy by any means. it is not meant to be used an actual cannon where it fires something. It's for noise-making purposes only.

Watch this video we made demonstrating how to create such a device below.


Sorry I couldn't capture the "ACTUAL" (deafening) sound of the lantaka when fired. My phone, which I used to capture the videos, only has mono sound/mic I think. Whatever. It doesn't give the lantaka much justice. You'll have to see it for yourself in person to experience and hear the KABOOM!

It's really not that difficult to make one and if you grasp the notion on how it works, it's fairly easy to create different designs such as these:

It's fun for kids and adults alike! LOL!

Now truly excited for New Year's Eve! Not only did we get to recycle all those tin cans and save money from buying those dangerous firecrackers, we also got our community and neighborhood engaged in a sort of camaraderie to welcome 2014! I guess the more "urbanized" cities will have a normal NYE celebration but as for us here in the Yolanda-devastated province, we're just happy to be alive to welcome the New Year and most definitely this time with a LOUD BANG using our lantakas.

Keep the smile, leave the tears.
Think of joy and forget your fears.

Wishing everyone out there a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


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The New Year didn't just usher the whole new 365 days, but I received yet another wonderful prize. Okay, Santa was a little late sending me the gift I asked, but the good people at Pizza Hut made sure it was "safely shipped". And by safe... they weren't kidding!


You've got to hand it to LBC. They're my most preferred courier here in the Philippines.

I got this for the blog post I wrote for Supremo, one of Pizza Hut's Tuscany pizza flavors. We had a great time making that entry and now having so much fun playing with the prize.

It's the 3G model of the iPad 2. I can't wait to test the internet speed of Smart once I get my hands on their microsim. Hopefully, it's available here in my area.

Big thanks also to my mother- and father-in-law for bringing us the pizza all the way from Cebu so we can join the contest. Also to Carl, the little boy, who was the lone caroler. :) Honestly, that kid loved the pizza... even with all the vegetables in it! I mean, when I was little, I always steered clear from those types of toppings. It's only now that I'm an adult that I appreciate the burst of flavors from all sorts of different toppings in my pizza. To Mianne, our cashier for taking the photos. And last but not the least, my Noodle Boy for adding melody into the words of the song I wrote.

Browsing Pizza Hut's website on the iPad is pretty cool! How I wish there was a Pizza Hut branch here in Ormoc City so I can order delivery :)

Thank you Lord for the great start of a great year ahead. Wishing everyone a happy new year, a fruitful and prosperous one, too!

Michael, Maria, & Mikko Franco.

xoxo,

Nature has a funny way of making you all creative and stuff... or is it just boredom doing that?

Guess this one shows even an N95 mobile phone can do wonders.

You just need the INSPIRATION. *wink*