Scoring extra at the Palaro
THEY are neither athletes, mediamen nor game officials.
But their presence never faltered even under the scorching heat of the sun during the 2012 Palarong Pambansa held in Pangasinan.
They, the ambulant vendors, roamed around the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) carrying their merchandise, hoping to gain extra income in this special event.
Ricky Farnacio, 18, was one of the many vendors accredited by the provincial government for the games as part of the program to provide livelihood alongside the sporting event.
The accreditation gave Farnacio access to the spectators’ areas.
For this bottled-water vendor from Dagupan City, the national tilt gave him the opportunity to have a part-time job while waiting for his turn to harvest bangus in his family’s little backyard pond.
It entailed sleeping at the grounds of NRSCC for the duration of the games, but Farnacio, his family’s breadwinner since their father died years ago, did not mind because he saw it as an opportunity to earn extra.
“Kung madaming tao, maraming hanapbuhay na puwedeng pagkakitaan,” he said.
Waking up at 5 a.m. to catch the start of the games at 6 a.m., Farnacio does not just bring his bucket full of ice-cold bottles of mineral water, but also a face full of hope that he will be able to sell all his products by the end of the day be able to bring home some pasalubong to his siblings.
With the Palaro over, Farnacio will now be back to his regular livelihood of fish farming.
Life, Farnacio said, is full of uncertainties.
He might not gain profit from his little backyard pond due to unforeseen circumstances, but he also believes that life has unending opportunities, and the Palaro was one of them.– Leene Camo and Markfil Tersol, UPB
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