THE UNO-RIAN Street Bites: A trek through life and Filipino delights

by MAECEL JOY PRIOLO

The busy streets of Bacolod City are filled with a sphere of diverse individuals. Weary students, dawn-diligent street cleaners, office workers racing for the early jeep, sleepy bus drivers, and early risers gearing up for another bustling day.

“Isa akon ka serve fishball,” has become an echo to the ears of the street food vendors. Assortment of street foods like fish ball, kwek-kwek, isaw and tempura has been a part of Filipino snacks. From mid-day, afternoon, midnight, rain or shine, you can definitely crave it because in every corner of Bacolod City, there will surely be a cart of a street food vendor.

In an array of carts and stalls, one stands out. With busy hands, clanking coins, and voices drowning voices, one cart becomes a beehive of hungry customers. People crowding it, more individuals thronging in as the clock strikes 5 in the afternoon.

Nancy Salodes, 46, and her husband Erado Salodes, 57, from Brgy. Singcang Airport have been in the street food business for 23 years.

“I had this business with my husband, and we started this [street food cart] because we need income to support our daughter in her studies. For twenty-three years, we have been selling [street foods] in front of UNO-R and inside the campus every U-week,” she shared.

Nancy stated that what brings her joy every time she is out in the streets selling are the people she meets and eventually becomes a regular.

“I am happy because I get to socialize with different people every day and get to hear insights and stories from them. Eventually, they become my suki,” she said.

Not only that Nancy and her husband get to support their daughter with their business, but they also get to yield their service and joy to their customers for twenty-three years.

For Nancy, being contented with big and even small things is what it takes to be able to survive in this type of trade.

“Be hard working, pray, and be contented. Whatever value of income we have, small or big, we just have to be contented and be thankful,” she shared.

Nancy also shared that because of their perseverance together with her husband, their business have flourished and they get to send their daughter to school.

“From a small capital with only one hundred fifty pesos, we now have 5 carts [street food carts] located in UNO-R and in Brgy. Singcang Airport and my daughter graduated in college all expenses sourced from our business,” she said with delight and pride.

What makes Nancy and her husband’s business last for twenty-three years and still grow is not because of luck but because of their labor and devotion to continue despite the setbacks they encounter.

Twenty-three years is a long time, but it is not a symbol of success. It is simply the manifestation of Nancy and Erado’s tenacity and full commitment to their work and business. Their business may