Heroes of the Street
/Nanay Dolly
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
Nanay Dolly is one of the people who give life and color to Ongpin Street. Her bananas and watermelons are pleasing to the eye because of their bright yellow and green hues.
It was the year 2004 when her journey as a vendor began. Her first products were coffee and cigarettes, followed by castañas or roasted chestnuts, until she eventually settled on selling fruits.
Despite more than two decades of experience, Nanay Dolly continues to face many challenges.
“Pahirap nang pahirap. Lalo ngayon syempre, sasabihin nila, ‘Nasa kalsada kayo, tumabi kayo.’ ‘Pag umalis, walang benta. Atsaka pahirap ng pahirap talaga kasi mahal ang puhunan, ang hirap itaas rin ng presyo. ‘Yun ang pagsubok ng vendor.”
(“It’s getting harder and harder. Especially now, people say, ‘You’re on the road, move aside.’ But if I leave, there’s no income. And it's tough because the capital is expensive, yet it's also hard to raise prices. That’s the struggle of a vendor.”)
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
When asked about what pushes her to work despite the harsh heat and exhaustion, she said, “Numero uno, pera—siyempre, pangkain ng mga bata, pambayad ng bahay, pambayad ng kuryente, tubig, at school. 'Yan talaga.”
(“Number one–money, of course. It’s for the kids’ food, house rent, electricity, water, and school expenses. That’s really it.”)
Kuya Ajin
On the other side of Ongpin Street, you’ll smell the mouthwatering aroma of peanuts and garlic. It comes from the cart of Kuya Ajin, a peanut vendor.
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
Kuya Ajin has been selling various kinds of peanuts for 12 years, adobo-flavored, spicy, sweet, and skinless—all neatly arranged in his cart. Besides those, he offers crisply dilis or anchovies and munchies. He started working at the age of 21.
“Sa sobrang hirap ng buhay tapos mahirap din ang magulang, ‘di nalang nag-aral, nagtrabaho nalang.”
(“Life was just too hard. My parents were struggling too; so instead of going to school, I chose to work.”)
One of the reasons Kuya Ajin chose this line of work is his love for cooking. Chopping and frying come naturally to him.
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
Even under the scorching heat and the hot oil splatters from his wok, he never stops selling.
“Para sa mga anak, para hindi magutom.” (“For my kids, so they don’t go hungry.”)
Ate Elma and Ate Rosalie
With the bustling activity in Manila comes an overwhelming amount of litter. By the end of each day, banana peels, peanut bags, and other trash pile up and need to be cleaned. That is when the quiet heroes of the street step in–the street sweepers.
You’ll find the hardworking duo, Ate Elma and Ate Rosalie, diligently sweeping along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo, Manila. Pushing their cart filled with collected waste, they make sure every corner is swept.
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
Ate Rosalie started working as a street sweeper in 2014, while Ate Rosalie began in 2019.
“Kaysa nakatulala ka sa bahay, magwalis ka nalang. Kahit papaano, na-eenjoy naman ang buhay,” said Ate Rosalie.
(“Instead of just staring blankly at home, you might as well sweep. In a way, life is still enjoyable.)
Besides the rain and heat as challenges, they also have to deal with individuals who treat them rudely.
Photo by Mikaelah Panopio
“May mga costumer na bigla ka nalang tatapunan, tatalsikan,” Ate Elma explained. (There are customers who suddenly throw trash at you, splashing you,”)
“Kailangan mahaba rin ang pasensya mo.” Ate Rosalie added. (“You need to have a lot of patience.”)
In spite of all their struggles, they continue working for their families and an income.
Ate Rosalie further explained: “‘Pag wala kang pera, ang hirap eh.” (“When you have no money, life is really tough.”)
Besides the rain and heat as challenges, they also have to deal with individuals who treat them rudely.
A daily call
The Philippines was built, is being built, and will continue to be built with the blood and sweat of honest, hardworking laborers like Nanay Dolly, Kuya Ajin, Ate Elma, and Ate Rosalie.
The recognition of Filipino workers should not be limited to May 1st. Every single day, their rights must be upheld. Humane working conditions for them must be ensured, and their wages must be increased.
Mikaelah Bianca Panopio is a 3rd-year journalism student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa.
