written by: Ramos, Ma. Andrea Erin E. | @Erin_TRL
A perfect sunny afternoon at the Capitol Complex of Malolos City, Bulacan was filled with delicious and affordable street foods that perfectly matches the budget and hunger of Bulacan State University students, November 28.
There is no other location better for eating street foods than on the side of a busy road just across the campus. One exceptional spot that will surely satisfy our gastronomical desires is
near the mini forest at the Capitol complex adjacent to the iconic "sintang paaralan".
“Comfort food na namin yung street foods dito,” one of the students from BulSU said.
Many students were in line with the so-called “Proben or Chichow”. It is one of the most iconic street foods not only to Bulakeños but also among Filipinos which was surprisingly, budget friendly.
One BulSU student who lives in Pulilan, Bulacan shared with TalariaLink her street food stories and how the majority of her classmates and friends did not know the term "chi-chow”. In fact, it was the other term for the all-time favorite Filipino street food known as “proben” or deep-fried atay balun-balunan coated in flour. It was so popular that you can find it in any corner.
“Hindi po nila alam 'yung term na chi-chow, mas kilala po dito iyon na proben," the student said.
Meanwhile, “sorbetes” or the dirty ice cream were among the best choices for the students and to anyone looking to fill their empty stomachs under the scorching sun.
Just spend some of your loose change and spare coins, you will definitely enjoy the rest of your sunny afternoon. Who does not like a cone of a cold, delicious ice cream anyway?
Students from Bulacan State University also enjoy eating and spending their time with their friends and lovers at the Capitol, especially around the mini forest. In fact, street food dates are among the "sweetest dates they could imagine".
“Mas romantic sakin iyon”, said one of the students from the BulSU College of Education.
“Less gastos na rin kasi,” her friend added.
On the other hand, street food vendors are "lucky" enough with the presence of the students buying their foods they sell, as TalariaLink digital were told.
Despite the heat and the many challenges they face on their day-to-day life, street food vendors never give up on selling iconic "chibogs" to students and locals alike.
“30 years na akong nag bebenta ng ice creams (sorbetes), simula pa nung 22 years old ako”, said Alejandro Tayao, an ice cream vendor near the Capitol of Malolos
Mang Alejandro’s sorbetes was a hit mostly among kids and especially during December where most of us feel the spirit of festivities coming, according to him.
However, despite having consistent customers or "suki" he still "getting barely over" challenges like during times where one of his cart's wheels will be flat due to lack of funds maintaining it. Sometimes, he comes home with no or very little income due to the lack of students and kids buying ice cream, especially during rainy days.
Filipino street vendors strive hard to sell their foods despite the situations they face, the heat, the exhaustion and the hardships they had to endure just to earn from our spares. They would never let their hardships get in the way of earning pennies to feed their families.
Hence, they always put a smile on their faces and face their problems with strength and strong will.
“Malaki tulong sa akin ng pagbebenta nito”, a ripe mango street vendor said.
“Nakakaubos ako ng halos dalawang supot sa isang araw”, he added.
Street foods were not just street foods especially to those vendors who devoted their craft to it, it is their life.
The foods they sell are key to building their child's future and support those dependent on them.
Waking up very early in the morning, preparing their best-selling foods for many hours, and working from day to night was not an easy job especially for starters.
With their sweat and hard work, Filipino street food vendors will always give welcoming smiles and hospitality to their customers and would never ever leave a hint of what they experience themselves just to bring smiles on their customers in the name of satisfying our cravings.
Overall, Filipinos are renowned for their hospitality. They constantly greet customers with a grin, which makes the costumers feel at ease and happy to buy their foods.
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