The convenience of tiangges

One evening, after dinner at a chain restaurant in a mall, we lingered for a while and found ourselves in a tiangge in the area’s open space. There were only few items, such as dried fish (small tawilis) and squid plus some little toys for our apo. That was very convenient because it occurred to us then that, indeed, we needed to buy something for breakfast the following morning.

Tiangges have become part of our lives. They are normally located in villages, churchyards and in the activity centers of malls. While big companies, bakers, food suppliers, farmers are the usual vendors, housewives, even young single ladies, have become encouraged (by the good crowd, no less) to get into a home-based business, making their culinary talents earn some extra money for their families.

Normally held during weekends, tiangges offer not only food stuff but other items like costume jewelry, houseware, toys, home decor, garments, and seasonal items like those for Christmas and other holidays.

Chairs and tables are provided, so shoppers can sample the food comfortably.

Most of all, when held in a village square, neighbors often take the chance to break bread with each other and catch up on the latest. A few of them have stalls. Like our friend Mary Lou whose offerings include delicious longganiza made from quality lean pork which is 85/90 percent less fat bought from a very reputable store. They are tagged at P210 dozen. She has fried rice and eggs to go with the sausage, in case the buyer wants to have his or her breakfast there. There is the couple Ben and Nening selling grapes (very sweet and seedless) at P200 a pack and pears at four pieces for P100. They fly in laing from Bicol, P100 per pack.

Our favorite dinuguan, made of pork liempo, is available at P45 a tub. Cooked while waiting are puto bumbong at P50 per and bibingka. There are even banana and kamote cues, suman, cupcakes, organic greens like arugula and romaine lettuce, and organic eggs (P180 a dozen). Big strawberries from Benguet are sold at P350 a kilo.

Hungry by now, settle down and have a cup of goto or a serving of sotanghon guisado.

We acknowledge the email messages from Starbucks management and the Evia team leader, expressing regret over our previous experience there. We are delighted that their response/action was quick. Truly a commendable gesture.

E-mail me at [email protected].