JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
NEWS
10-peso ‘pastil’ slowly bids farewell; vendors, MSUans express mixed opinions IAN PAOLO VILLACENCIO, MARIA NICOLE SILVA 10-peso pastil, no more? Pastil became a staple food for every MSUans because of its affordable prices and delicious taste but it’s been a question for everyone as they’re wondering if there’s still an affordable version of that food delicacy. There are stalls that offer that aforementioned food in which students mostly go there everyday, however due to inflation, along with the goods and services, “pastil” has now seen its cost to rise. Vendors’ Voice Pastil vendors made some adjustments to further satisfy their customers despite the increasing prices of its ingredients. According to Usop Cali, a vendor from Habibi eatery, they serve 15- peso pastil but to the delight of their customers, they made the serving bigger but maintained its price. “Per serve namin is 15 pesos and hindi kagaya ‘nung sa iba, hindi naman sa siniriraan natin ‘yung iba, pero sa 15 pesos namin, medyo malaki ‘yung serve ng kanin namin, pangalawa, ‘yung magandang bigas ang binibili namin, so ‘yon ‘yung about sa pastil namin,” Cali said. The idea was also affirmed by Joezela Perez, a vendor from H canteen, their team adjusted the price as they based on the quality of rice as it also costs up higher than before. “Pinakafirst na factor jud is ang bigas, hangtud karon wala gihapon nag roll back. Imbes na ang half sack dati nga first namo na nagatinda pa mi, tung naga ten pami, is ano palang 950+ ang 25 kilos, karon, mudagan na sya sa 1,300 to 1,400,” she said. Moreover, for Bellarina Locsin, also a vendor from the canteen outside the school gymnasium, emphasized not only the ingredients but also the renting cost of their place. “Dati-rati, yung space rental kasi ng MSUGenSan ay ₱50 lang per booth, umakyat sya before mag pandemic by ₱200 pesos per month per booth, so sa ngayon, last year pa, ay umakyat sa ₱500 pesos, per booth, except kung may okasyon… Saan namin kukunin na mag improve din yung quality sa pagtitinda namin kung maliit
8 6
masyado yung kikitain namin o hanggang pagkain lang,” she stressed. In a statement by Cely Ann Nunag, vendor from ASSSA canteen, the price for their pastil won’t get any lower and may become higher, depending on the situation. “Mahal na ang rice, pati spices like mga lamas specially sibuyas pati ang oil. Tapos may freebies pa baya like pipino, talong, tapos si talong minsan mahal ang kilo, so wala kaming choice, minsan gani para may ma serve lang, piyungan nalang ang presyo,” she narrated. Meanwhile, Arlene Albañez, one of the pastil merchants from CNSM, doesn’t want to surprise her customers on the cost of the said food. “May toppings na ‘yung 10 pesos pero dili siya ingon na dako jud, tama tama lang na 1 cup na gamay. Wala mi tag kinse, 10 jud among price. Tag 10 pesos lang pero gagmay lang jud siya,” she stated. For Andrea Macabodbod, vendor from COA, they still offer 10-peso pastil yet to ease hunger only, not for satisfaction. “Kung maghatag ko ug 10, gamay lang siya. Isa lang ka-cup. While pag-20 ka is tatlo ka cup, then 15 dalawa. Mahal jud ang bugas. Mahal na tanan, nagtaas na pud sila karon sa market. Bag o napud sila nagtaas,” Macabodbod explained. Maintaining the prices to 10 pesos is also a thing for Cyrus Manriquez, one of the vendors from the Woods of CSSH, stating that to make it affordable for students. “Sa amoa diria, naa pa man mi dyis sa amoa karon. Pero sa uban wala na kay tungod nagmahal man pud gud ang bugas. Ang bugas man gud naa na sa mga 55, mga ing-ana. So, ang gibuhat sa uban is giwala gyud nila ang 10.” he said. Similar idea also by Jessica Rose Padernal from LKD eatery, saying that the ingredients will affect the price of their food. In a statement from Pastilan ni Kambal of COE, they set their price to 15 to gain a bit of profit.
photos by Rayjie Carillo
