Business Alley

Blog 174:

“Taho!”

 “Pan de sal!

“Gulay po … sariwa!”

Up and down the streets of Las Pinas

Street vendors on foot musically call out their brand

In hopes of getting mothers, grandmothers

And housekeepers to come out

And open business sales of the day

Day in and out they come alone

Or in pairs, at other times in groups

Retailing fresh foods, snacks and housekeeping items

To those who are homebound

And simply do not have a way

To shop in the busy marketplaces

Kilometers away from their homes

Street vendors make it their mission

To serve and be served

To give and receive

To provide for and be provided

Through small, meaningful work

On foot like soldiers marching to

War in sometimes unknown, unfriendly

Neighborhood barangay streets

Of Las Pinas suburbia  

Or in one other jungle cities of Metro Manila!