Going to Palangke!

Maly adding fresh produce to the shelves

Everyday life in the Philippines can be quite exciting! There is always something to do. We will take you on a little part of what we do today as we wake up early and get ready to open Maly’s Country Market!

Time to make the doughnuts! Well not exactly. We usually awake around 5 or so in the morning, but there is no doughnut making going on. We have to get out to the store to start prepping for the day and get our meals ready we will be serving that day. Maly always has some fresh vegetables to chop and prepare the menu she has that she will be selling on that day.

I thought I was being helpful one time and I bought her a brand new food processor. I thought this would ease the chores in the morning of having all these vegetables to cut by hand. As with most times, my good intentions were placed on the shelf and the hand cutting continues to this day. As they say, a hand prepared meal is made with love and it makes it taste better. I do know Maly’s fresh pancit is some of the best I have eaten (I hope I am not too biased here).

Fresh pancit at Maly's Country Market

Once Maly has started the preparations for the morning meals, it is off to the palangke (vendor’s market in town) to restock the items we need in the store. Some mornings here in the valley that can mean for a cool ride to the palangke, at times requiring an extra shirt or jacket to be brought along. Usually these mornings are after a rain or during the morning hours in the cooler months. It is not often, but it does happen here. Our driver, Philip, has the tricycle waiting by the time the food prep is ready and off we go! Depending on the time we actually get to leave in the mornings, sometimes we have a guest that comes to ride along. Megan will often time come along just to be with Mama!

I often think of a song once we get to the palangke that I saw in a YouTube video. Mikey Bustos does parody song videos and one was about going to the palangke that is very catchy. I would not sing it out loud of course in the market, but it often runs through my head as I watch Maly wheel and deal for her needs at the store.

A common sight at a palangke

The palangke is a large area where there are many vendors selling almost anything you could ask for. Maly has a few favorite places to go to in the market. She knows the vendors and they know her as well. Not only will she buy her supplies, but often catch up with whatever “news” there is going on in town. A kilo of cabbage, a kilo of potatoes, half a kilo of beans, oh there are tomatoes how about a kilo of those as well… Before long I can have 10 kilos hanging from each arm! I do not need to visit a gym to stay fit! She is always looking for the best deals so she can bring them back home to our market and have the best for our customers.

We cannot go to the market without a stop by the fish market. Fish is a main staple in the Filipino meals, so we have to keep a good stock on hand. Maly will go by and see what fresh fish are available for the day. Usually she will buy what she needs for the day to take home and cook. Having fresh fish to cook is always better for her. I would like to say I enjoy this part of the trip, but this is not my favorite. If only the smells from the market could be emanated from the pictures or video you might be able understand my displeasure of going to this side of the market.

Maly, Hazel and Philip prepare for the day

Once we are done with all our shopping it is time to go back to Maly’s Country Market and restock for the day. Hazel usually has the food prepared and ready by the time we get back. Phillip and Maly begin to put their supplies up for the customers to buy. It is always an exciting time to see the shelves being stocked full and the fresh fruits and vegetables from the market laid out on the table. At the end of the day, Marisa will have the BBQ going and ready for the evening sales!

We hope you have enjoyed this part of our morning routine. Come check out the video below to witness our adventure into the palangke. We would welcome your likes, shares and comments on our blog and videos!

Going to Palangke