Bikes and motorbikes sales grew tremendously during the lockdown last year when public transportation was frozen for several months due to the pandemic. Vulcanizing shops like this became increasingly valuable to repair flat or worn down tires making people’s transportation of choice always road worthy.
After a year-long struggle last year dealing with covid-related uncertainties and complications, a great deal of people lost their jobs. Many of us too were restrained to go out of our homes unless necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. While small-to-medium businesses eventually closed down, some pivoted and reinvented themselves into another business for survival. However, the people in the streets whose livelihood depended on the day-to-day hustle to make a living were the most instantly affected. For several months, the streets were quiet, sad and empty. Only essential vehicles like delivery trucks and various dedicated courier riders gave life and movement to the streets. It’s no wonder that all of us looked forward to 2021 praying for a better, safer and prosperous year.
Several days have passed since the new year clocked in and I find myself driving the streets of Manila for various errands. I couldn’t help but notice that life in the streets is back but unfortunately, the traffic too. I also noticed something encouraging and I like what I see: the street vendors are back once again in the streets, masked and socially distanced.
Here are some snapshots I took that tells a story of revival and hope.
It must have been a slow day judging by the two tire sales men who found time to chat with a friend about the latest neighborhood news while waiting for customers to drive by their auto/tire shop.Using only eye contact, this masked vendor rushed to a potential customer at a stoplight in Katipunan, Quezon City with his offerings of fish-flavored chicharon, hard-boiled quail eggs and fried salted peanuts. This vendor stationed in Buendia, Makati has perfected his rhythm. He seems to know how long he can offer a variety of colorful products ranging from car wheel rubbers, flannela, towelletes, super-absorbent chamois and duster to wipe the dust from your car. He must also be a Nazarene pilgrim as he was wearing the distinctive maroon t-shirt with the Nazarene printed on it. A boiled peanut vendor tentatively pushes his heavy cart on and off the sidewalk depending on the traffic light in Katipunan. He seemed to be popular with truck drivers and didn’t seem to have much competition with his product.This masked vendor whom I call the Spice Man sells a bit of this and that. He repacked spices like black pepper and salt, as well as aromatics like cloves of garlic, banana blossom and what-not in single-serving plastic wrappers attached to a long piece of stick which he carries over his left shoulder hobo-style.We chanced upon this young lady munching on a snack while selling fresh and cooked corn in Katipunan area in Quezon City. Without words she asked us if we were interested by pointing at the corn she was selling. Just a few meters from the young lady beneath the overpass is another lady vendor also selling corn. I’m wondering if they work for the same business owner as the styrofoam containing the cooked corn looks the same, and the raw corn wrapped in plastics hanging on display also looks the same.This lady vendor just knew where to position her cart to attract customers. She stationed it just along a curve of the UP Academic oval to tempt people who were supposed to be exercising:-) But who cares about exercise? Her “fishbol”, “kwek-kwek”, “siomai” and hotdog were all delicious! Mamang Sorbetero was on his way home when I hailed him. He said that it was a good day for him selling scoops of mango, cheese and strawberry flavored soft-serve ice cream. Sure I was very disappointed for me but happy for him that he was able to go home before 6pm.I seldom see a taho vendor nowadays so when I saw one in the UP Campus while on a stroll, I didn’t waste my time and bought a cup. It costs PHP20.00 per serving but it’s okay as he was generous with the silken tofu, tapioca pearls and arnibal syrup. Taho is one of my favorite snacks way back in college.Just another day in the office for this locksmith who works even on weekends at his shop along Gen. Lim in Makati. A customer drops in and patiently waits to have his key duplicated. The locksmith is seated on a wooden footstool and in front of him is his black metal toolbox as he examines the key. To his left side are garlands and garlands of keys in different shapes and makes hanging from the tent ceiling. In case you have reservations going out of your house during the pandemic, you may call him for home service.This last photo was taken during a really bad traffic in C-5. Traffic was so bad cars were on a “crawl-stop-crawl” pace for hours. It was during a stop when I took the photo of a vendor reflected in my side-view mirror. She inspired me and made me feel all warm inside for her hard work and persistence. Her makeshift “store” was strategically positioned against a railing along C-5 highway selling refreshments and chichirya (snacks and chips). Business was very good for her…booming actually that she had 2 assistants helping her out with food delivery and payment collection.
We all had a long and difficult year last year so when I see that life in the streets is teeming with activity, it makes me happy. The people are the pulse of a bigger ecosystem. They tell a story of where we are at as a nation fighting for its survival. If you wonder how we are doing, all you need to do is look around and you’ll see people who, despite their daily challenges, are fearless, hard working and full of hope for a better tomorrow.
I cannot help but smile knowing that life in the sidelines is finally looking up.
Flying Off-Course 