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February 15, 2010
How to be a Palengke Queen
Text by Maan D’Asis Pamaran
If you are looking for a way to stretch your food budget, then it is time to head on out and explore your local market. Although it is admittedly muddy and muggy, crowded and rowdy, the marketplace is still the best shopping spot to find the freshest foodstuffs that fit your funds.
It may seem a far cry from the spacious air-conditioned groceries, where you can gracefully sashay down endless aisles of attractive merchandise displays with a convenient shopping cart to help you carry your load—but if it is a bargain you are after, then it is time to ditch those Clarks peep-toes and Juicy Couture tote bag in favor of your rubber slippers and sturdy straw bayong.
For newbies, this unfamiliar territory may seem daunting, but if you are really serious about savings, then it is time to (literally) get your feet wet. Here are some tips for making that first foray into the marketplace.
Plan your attack. Check your budget and think of what you are planning to cook for the next few days. Then, list down the ingredients that you will need for each dish, right down to the seasonings and spices. This way, you can avoid having to rush to the sari-sari store for last-minute items such as chicken cubes, cooking oil, or patis. These items are usually more expensive at your neighborhood store. It is also imperative that you do a quick check of your ref and pantry to prevent buying duplicates of what you already have in stock.
Do your homework. Morning shows in the two rival channels have segments in which they announce the prices of staple goods such as rice, sugar, meat, and fish. Having an idea of how much these items cost could give you a heads up to avoid buying items that are overpriced.
Gear up. Slip into comfortable non-slip footwear, as the fish and meat sections of the market tend to have wet floors. Wear simple clothing and avoid wearing expensive jewelry that will make you a target for pickpockets and con artists. You may also want to bring your own big shopping bags or a bayong with sturdy handles—you save about Php3.00 per bag and you get to be a hero to the environment.
Set your alarm. Markets open notoriously early. The best time to go for the freshest and the best are from 5 to 6 a.m.
But if you really want to go for bargains, you can also opt to come at around 10 a.m. or 5 p.m. By then, most of the items have been picked over, but the vendors are also not averse to lowering their prices, so they can pack up early. I once got a kilo of fresh fish for almost half the price, because the vendor just wanted to end her day.
Avoid the sidewalks. It is tempting to buy from hawkers who set up stalls in the streets, because their wares are even cheaper than those found inside the market. But if you are not quick on the draw, you might end up with inferior quality produce, or buy items that actually weigh much less then you thought. If you are going to buy at the sidewalks where the items are sold in heaps or “tumpok” (e.g. Php10 per pile of three potatoes each), check the quality of each piece of fruit or vegetable in the pile before you bag them.
Be picky. Bone up on those Home Economics books that you had in high school for tips on choosing fresh produce. Here are some great ones that the stall mavens in our local market in Bicutan readily shared with me:
• Eggs should have a reddish tinge on their shell. If the shells are a little blackish, these are old stocks. You may also want to jiggle the eggs a little—fresh ones are intact, while those that are not tend, to slosh about when shaken.
• Meat and fish should not have any funny smells. You can also poke them to feel if they are still firm. A good rule of thumb for fish freshness is to check if the gills are still reddish. Meats should have a reddish color as well.
• Fruits and vegetables should not have any bruises, or bad/soft spots. Garlic heads should be compact and firm, while onions should have dry, papery skin. Moisture on the onion skin is an indication that it is starting to go bad. With fruits and veggies, buy only what you are sure to consume in the next few days. It would be a bigger waste to buy these in bulk at lower prices only to have to throw them out once they spoil.
Check out the dry section action. There are boundless other items that you can buy at the market at low prices. Some stalls offer plasticware, some have Divisoria clothes, while others function as mini groceries. The last category is particularly helpful, because they sell everyday items like laundry soap, dishwashing liquid, powdered juice, and chips at wholesale prices.
Be confident and charming. Even if you are at a total loss, try not to look gullible. Some unscrupulous merchants might take advantage of you. Don’t be afraid to haggle for a discount, some vendors actually do give in. If, for example, your total on fish adds up to P163, smile and ask the vendor if you she can give it to you for P160. If you really turn on the charm, you can save P20 to P30 on each market trip.
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