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Showing posts with the label street vendors

Sidewalk Vendors

You’ll often see them. You’ll buy from them. But when they become part of the news, you’ll get to hate them – some of you. They are people like us who simply wants to earn a living. They have a family to feed. This is the business they call “marangal” (dignified). And we call them… Sidewalk Vendors Let me define what (or should I say “who”) a sidewalk vendor is. Here in the Philippines, there is a notion that if you’re a sidewalk vendor, you mostly likely belong to the lower class of the society. For one reason, why sell on the sidewalks or streets of Metro Manila and other cities if you can sell on approved places particularly the market. For another, selling in the street on a daily basis is a risky activity – you’re prone to illnesses, effects of air pollution, dangers from vehicles passing by, and unsafe condition of your store or shop. In a third-world country where job opportunities are scarce for people with lower educational attainment, there is no reason to doub

"Business as Usual" as the Filipinos Define It (Palengke, Business Permits, Illegal Vendors) – Part 2

I politely asked these two young ladies to give it their best pose so I can take a good photo of them which I would then add to my blog. They both agreed and here they are now. Both are vendors on this store located inside the public market near my place. We call it here “suki” or someone who’s a regular or loyal buyer and I am their “suki”. I often have had a short conversation with the owner of this vegetable stand and she’s one of the kindest business owners in this market. You can see from her shop huge variety of products she’s selling. This shop can earn a revenue of around 10,000 pesos to 20,000 each day. Palengke (Local Market) If you want to know where to find the products produced by a town or a province, the best place to go is in its public market or “palengke”. It has all the commodities you want. Back in the old days, public markets in many places in the country is just a temporary commerce place where sellers set up their stalls for a day and then leave and co

What’s Wrong with Us Filipinos? A Sensible Evaluation of Philippine Street Markets, Public Utility Vehicles, and Public Places

Many of us, millions of us, used to commute in going back and forth to our work as well as during our “lakad” or personal trips. With jeepney, tricycle, and bus as the most convenient means of transport in the Philippines, we are fine with taking these rides just to reach our destination. Let me ask you. What do you observe or notice while riding these vehicles? I guess many of your will agree, it’s not that comfortable to sit on them. But we’re used to it, aren’t we? Also, how do you find looking into the open window of these public utility vehicles or PUJs? Well, I noticed a lot of things. So let me share my riding experience. In this post which what I want to call “Passenger Window Photography”, I will share with you some photos and what I did notice on them. All these photos were taken in same day as I travelled from my place going to Manila. Come with me and experience this one of a kind ride of a Filipino in a typical day in the Philippines. You will be surprised! So

We Sell to Earn a Living - In the Philippines, it's Selling Almost Anything Under the Sun

As a native traveler, it has been my habit to photograph people and the things they do - under the heat of the sun. During my travels, I got fascinated with how Filipinos make a move to earn a living in this country. Be it foods, clothing, souvenirs, household materials, drinks or wearable stuffs, we've got it all for buyers like you. And what's amazing about the way Filipino sells things is that you can always ask for a bargain price or "tawad". You'll be lucky enough if you got discounts. In the market, along the street or "bangketa", inside passenger jeepneys and buses, inside shopping malls and even inside the offices, there will be someone who would sell to you and most probably say this: "Mura lang ate, kuya, bili na kayo". And if you become their "suki" or regular buyer/customer, chances are you'll get a free stuff to bring back home. Well, much has been said about the buy and sell business in the Philippines. I remember