 An old proverb tells us that we are what we eat, so it just makes perfect sense that to see a town; a visit to the local market is a must in able to witness what the people eat and how the people do about in this melting pot of colors, culture and exotic liveliness.
It was almost lunch time when I arrived at the bustling palengke at the town of Tanay, which surely is a sight to see. From the rushing porters carrying loads of bananas to your ever present tindera shouting “Mura suki, bili na!”, the market of Tanay would be best described as a gathering of everything that can arouse all five senses.
So to help those who are looking for the best bargains and freshest finds I took it upon me to give you my personal picks of the where and the who in this jungle of pleasing delights.
First Place in Fishing:
Being a seafood lover finding fresh fish is not nearly enough. The need to find the freshest of the fresh is very much natural me and my fellow fish eaters. Thus, the market will prove to be the place to be in terms of the quality, selection and of course affordability of everything that swims.
The stall to look out for is Estella & Totong’s located in the center of the market’s fish section. They have everything from your favorite tilapia to that enormous tambakol. They boast of excellent tiger prawns, crabs, other crustaceans and the Filipino’s national fish, big bangus. Aside from their wide variety of sea critters they also have lower prices compared to the neighboring stalls. An added bonus to this stall is Mang Bong’s fish cutting and slicing skills which will surely entertain curious customers.
Master of Meat:
Real men love meat, so surely real men should take it upon themselves to visit M. Macarulay’s at the very center of the meat section. They have got the best and freshest pork, beef and other cold cuts. The meat they sell, according to a devoted patron, is very much tender and tasty. Also they have affordable chicken as well as dressed chicken which is ready to cook.
A near second is Nemie and V-gies which is a few stalls away from M. Macarulay’s. With homemade longganisa and pork insides to make isaw and other street food favorites, this stall surely is a worthy stop. You could also ask the friendly Mang Bong to cut the meat that you bought for specific meals helping you save time and effort. An added bonus, the friendly meat retailer also adds a little extra and gives discount to anyone who sports a smile.
Veggie Victory:
To all health buffs and lovers of everything organic, the palengke has no shortage in the variety of vegetables it can offer. Freshly grown by the locals of Tanay, those sold are guaranteed fresh, crisp and very much affordable.
My choice for the best greens goes to Rey and Commie which is at the corner of the vegetables and dry goods section. Aside from the freshest and most affordable vegetables they also sell them in sets which are ready for cooking for a dish of your choice. You could buy a set for chopsuey, sinigang, nilaga and all other dishes. Buying these meal sets would enable you to save time and get discounts.
Greatest in Goods:
Combing through the narrow stalls you’ll be greeted by Stall Number 100 which is known for their various dry goods. Doubling as a sari-sari store and dry goods retailer one could say that they really have it all. Their selections include dried fish, pusit, local and imported seasonings, canned goods, salt, different sorts of eggs including red salted eggs and tasty ready to eat spiced and sweetened dilis.
They have the cheapest, most discounts and the ever funny Kuya Jay who will surely make you laugh and leave with a smile with his witty one liners and ridiculous banters.
Prized Produce and Fantastic Fruit:
To find the best produce and fruit Tanay has to offer it would do any visitor good to start searching outside. Outside is where the prized mangoes, watermelons and other fruits which are fresh from the gardens located.
Stall 9 is where the huge watermelons are located and as proven by yours truly, probably the sweetest. Also near the stall is where the carts and baskets of mangoes, oranges and other fresh delights are gathered ensuring that you will find the fruit of your choice.
An added tip, do ask for a little extra and the friendly Aling Nene will surely add a little to your kilo of green and ripe mangoes. A little smile also goes a long way.
Other Notable Finds:
For the Ukay lovers Daralitan St. is the best place to be. A storehouse devoted to nothing but cheap ukay with shirts and blouses going for as low as ten and twenty pesos.
Near the entrance of the market is stall 034 which is home to Tanay’s best wooden furnitures. Handmade cabinets, beds, baskets and tables are sold here with excellent quality and craftsmanship.
Yummy Eats:
Surely all those searching and haggling will make you need to take a bite and this palengke surely has no shortage of delicious treats.
I recommend that you do go and try eating at Eva’s Carinderia which is near the dry goods section. Mouth-watering home cooked dishes such as bopis, sinigang, tapa and adobo are served here hot and ready to eat. They also are proud of their special Halo-halo which is perfect to cool you down during a hot and tiring afternoon.
For the less adventurous everywhere are burger stands such as Big Mak and Scotts’s which have cheap buy one take one burgers perfect for a light meal. Also the Market is just a few strides away from the ever familiar Jollibee and Chowking.
The best time to go would be during the wee hours of the morning where some are already open for the first catch of the day, during noon time where all of the stores are open and where lunch is already cooked and during night just as before some stalls close where they sell their goods for almost half of the original price just to clear all their products.
Do prepare to get dirty and slimy especially in the meat section and do wear comfortable clothes to make navigating through the narrow alleys, where the best stalls are located, easier. Sport a smile and be friendly for they love to give discounts to those who ask nicely and politely. Sharing a laugh with the vendors wouldn’t hurt for they will also give you tips on where to find the best in the market. Haggle, haggle and haggle to get cheaper prices and do not forget to have fun and enjoy the exotic, energetic and lively ambiance of the Palengke.
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