Jino has nine fingers, blurred eyesight, and weak hearing -proof of the dangerous world of pyrotechnics for which he had been working since he was 12, and grim reminders that made him swear never to make firecrackers anymore.
Six years ago, Jino started working in a pyrotechnics factory in the barangay with the desire to earn money and help his parents. A job at a pyrotechnics factory has been the easiest way to realize such a desire, or so he thought.
"Dali man gud kakwarta, dagko kay ang labor ba. (It was easy to earn money, and compensation for labor compensation was high)," he says recalling how it was during his active days in the factory.
Jino explains that the earnings of a factory worker vary, depending on the kind of firecrackers, the speed with which one makes them, and the number of output.
He cites one could easily make P200 for making 2,000 pieces of a small type of firecrackers -all in a day's work with plenty of time to spare.
He was then a student but Jino says his job altered his academic direction. "Usahay dili ko kaeskwela kay trabaho lagi. Usahay ma-late ko. (Sometimes I could not go to school because of work. Sometimes I would be late for school)," he says.
When asked about the nature of his job before, Jino says, "Puro man gyud na delikado tanan. (Every aspect of the job is really dangerous)"
Indeed, it was, and an accident inside his workplace proved it, and impaired his youthful life further (a loss of his right middle finger, and damage to his eyes and ears).
Jino narrates: "Pagtrabaho nako, nasipyat pagbuhat ba. Mao 'to pagdukdok nako nibuto pud siya. Dili unta mubuto, musiga ra unta. Isog ra kaayo ang timpla sa kemikal. (I made a mistake in my work. When I pounded the firecracker, it suddenly exploded. It was supposed to produce sparks only and not explode. The chemical mixture was just too heavy)".
Apparently affected psychologically now, Jino sighs, "Mao bitaw wala nako ganahi'g skwela kay tungod sa akong kamot. (I don't like to go to school anymore, because of my hands.)"
Work at the pyrotechnics factory was clearly dangerous, especially for juveniles, but "mao may pinaka-available nga trabaho nga makuha namo dayon diri", says Jino.
It has been true also for his younger brother, Miguel, who is now 14 years old but who started working at the factory at nine years old.
Recalling his glee from his earnings as a young boy then, Miguel says he liked his work because it gave him the money to be able to acquire the simple things he wanted for his age.
"Para nako kay ganahan man ko, para makakwarta ko para Pasko, kay manuroy man mi sa akong mga amigo...ug unsa akong ganahan mapalit nako. (I liked my job because I could earn money for Christmas so my friends and I could go on a binge... and I could buy what I want.)"
Another boy, John Michael, now 16, has been on the job for years but had taken the dangers in stride. He says he has known the dangers involved but being at risk is just a matter of choice.
"Mopili ra ko sa akong trabaho, kanang sayon, kanang dili kuyaw. (I choose a particular job to do in making firecrackers, one that is easier and less risky.)," he says.
John Michael came into the factory upon the prodding of his friends, who like Jino and Michael ,have seen more the promise of money in the job than the attendant risks.
Pyrotechnics industry has been one of the sources of livelihood in Babag II, and a part of economic life to the residents. The sad part is that the children are among the cogs that keep such an industry moving.