By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo

 

I don’t know why I’m here. I just followed my instincts. In the process, I searched for my stolen credit card in the last establishment where I bought the boxes to store the books I have not read. After that, I bought myself empanada and brewed coffee and sat in a space with the least disturbance. Then I changed my mind, and walked to the Food Court to listen to conversations, something I used to do, but haven’t done in a very long time.

“Big Noodlemix ta la, P90, share-share, mabli no sansakey su order, P55 per person. Nepeg ya mantipon ta para ed Boracay.” (We settle for big Noodlemix, P90, we divide the cost, much cheaper than if we order individually at P55. We have to save for Boracay.)

Bes, mabalin pay ngata? Bassit laeng ti naisubik. Awan natipon ko tatta ta impaw-it ko kenni Nanay ko, adda sakit na.” (Bes, will it ever happen? We have saved so little. I wasn’t able to save this time, I sent it to my mom, she’s sick.)

“Okay labat, Bes. Bayaran ko ni may share mo. Pay when able ka lang. Basta, by May 2023, nasa Boracay tayo. Swim, sunbath, walk, maski 2 days, 2 nights, para ma experience naman natin yung hindi kailangan tumayo at magbenta ng kung ano-ano. Darating din ang araw, bubuti ang katayuan natin sa lipunang ito.” (That’s okay, Bes. I can pay for your contribution now. You can pay when able. The important thing is we will be in Boracay in May 2023. Swim, sunbath, walk, even for just two days, two nights, to experience the feeling where we’re not required to stand up all the time and sell whatnots. There will come a day when our status in this society will change for the better.)

“Wen, mamatiak, umimbag ti kasasaad ta ta nainot ta, saan ta nga naimot. Kayat mo chicken siomai? Apat sa P42. Tig-dalawa tayo.” (Yes, I believe you, our status will be better because we are frugal but we’re generous. You like chicken siomai? Four pieces at P42. Two for you, two for me)

“Okay, apuram sirin, tapos na break time. Heto tubig, hati tayo, P26. Umpano na-late ta, unaliwa’y kipapasen ta.” (Okay, let’s hurry, break time is over. Here’s a bottle of water, let’s divide it equally P13 each. If we’re late, our status might become worse.)

“Mas Ilocano ka pa sa Ilocanong timmangken. Kuripot ka launay. Your nationality is Ilocano.” (You are more Ilocano than a hardened Ilocano. You are so stingy. Your nationality is Ilocano.)

No, andi, saan nga kuripot (miserly), the correct word is maigot (frugal) and masimpit (prudent). Those descriptions are different from stingy.

They laughed, gulped the water and hurried towards the escalator.

I hurried to see where they were headed but they got swallowed by the crowd. I ended up at King Chef Dimsum Kitchen, where I decided to eat late lunch. The crowd here is different from the Food Court. They were not concerned with the price of food, but the innovation in the menu and the satisfaction of the palate. I can tell they go to Boracay on a whim.

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