Your Condo's Mobile Palengke Is the Evolution of Wet Market Economics

(SPOT.ph) On a long table that gives hundreds of condo dwellers in Mandaluyong City a spread of fresh fruits and vegetables for the day's lunch and dinner, Chona Ebon leads the evolution of the neighborhood palengke that was borne out of the pandemic—on demand and right at her customer's doorsteps.

A Pasig City resident, the 54-year-old Ebon is up before dawn to score fresh finds in Manila before returning to the capital region's east end to set up her talipapa on wheels.

When tech unicorns are building "dark groceries" with delivery riders on demand, Ebon and her mobile palengke is one step ahead and cheaper because there are no app fees.

“Maraming nag-request na mga tenants na kung pwede i-approve ako kasi nahirapan silang bumili sa labas. So doon ako nag-start,” Ebon told SPOT.ph when asked why she decided to sell food products outside a condominium.

“Yung mga condo, bihira kasi yung may palengke sa baba. Kasi usually yung mga areas ng condo, malayo sa palengke. Saan sila bibili?” she added.

Ebon is one of many Filipinos who built their businesses in response to COVID restrictions and are now working to keep their customers as curbs ease. But more than the income it gives to vendors, mobile “palengkes” offer a convenient way for condo dwellers to enjoy cheap farm fresh goods while providing livelihood to members of their own community.

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From farm to mobile palengke

Before the pandemic, Ebon supplied seafood like prawns and salmon to buffet restaurants which she procured from a farm in Bacolod.

But when restaurants closed at the height of the pandemic, Ebon lost many of her clients and she had to look for another source of income to support the needs of her family.

It was only after a friend requested her to put up a mini “palengke” in front of the Mandaluyong condo that Ebon found a way to continue earning a living from selling food products.

“During pandemic time, nagkaroon ako ng kaibigan dito tapos ni-request niya ako na magtinda. Kahit hindi na pandemic masyado, ni-request pa rin nila ako,” she said.

From fruits, vegetables, to eggs, poultry, and even seafood, Ebon’s mobile “palengke” has all the ingredients one needs to make a delicious dinner, except that they are cheaper than their counterparts at a supermarket and can be bought per piece.

“Minsan kasi mataas kasi yung presyo ng supermarket. Ako tumitingin din naman ako ng presyo sa Guadalupe, sa supermarket, na huwag naman masyadong mahal na ikumpara,” she said.

“Katulad ng itlog sa supermarket, dose ang isa. Sa akin P10 lang. Mababa naman talaga yung presyo kasi nagmo-monitor naman ako,” she added.

Because of its affordability and convenience, Ebon’s mobile “palengke” has also become popular even to nearby condos, with tenants from surrounding buildings dropping by her shop for a quick grocery run.

This is why even if there are lean days especially after the height of the pandemic, Ebon would continue to serve the community and offer goods at discounted rates.

Jeff, a condo tenant, said he appreciates how close Ebon’s shop is to the building and how cheap the goods are compared to those in the supermarket.

“Minsan may nakakalimutan akong ilang ingredients, malaking tulong na pagbaba mo, nandiyan na yung mga tinda ni Ate Chona na pwedeng mabili,” he said.

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A shared activity

Aside from being an accessible place to shop, Ebon’s mini “palengke” has also helped bring a sense of community among condo dwellers.

Every now and then, condo residents would prepare ready-to-eat meals such as homemade baked mac, fresh lumpia, and turon and ask Ebon to sell these items for them, allowing tenants to also earn from her small shop.

Ebon also became friends with many tenants and even the staff of the condo, whom she said allowed her to set up shop within their vicinity rent-free. They even provided her a space where she can keep the tables and chairs she uses for her stall, she added.

And as a way of thanks, Ebon would sometimes give free items to condo personnel. “Kapag bibili sila ng pagkain kapag lunch, nililibre ko 'yun. Libre din naman ang rent ko, kaya namimigay talaga ako,” she said.

Another testament as to how the mobile “palengke” sparked camaraderie among residents is when they petitioned the condominium’s manager to let Ebon continue doing business near the building.

“Nakakuha ako ng support sa ibang tenants. Sabi nila, 'Sige punta ka muna sa admin, magpa-approve ka, tapos pupuntahan din namin yung admin na kung pwede i-allow ka kasi convenient sa amin,” she said.

“Sa kalaunan, siguro naisip ng manager na kailangan niya na akong i-approve na magtinda kasi hindi lang isa ang nagre-request, marami din sila,” she added.

A call for help

Despite the popularity of her shop, Ebon admitted that she was still looking for another form of livelihood, one that would give her a steadier flow of income.

Although condo residents continue to patronize her shop, the return of many supermarkets to full operations caused Ebon to lose some of her usual customers. Inflation also made it difficult to keep the prices of many of her food items low.

“Hindi ko hawak yung negosyo dito, hindi ko pa alam… baka mawala ako five years from now. Meron akong other source of income at naghahanap din ako, hindi lang yan,” she said.

Aware of the contributions of small businesses to the economy during the pandemic, lawmakers and even non-government organizations have proposed ways to support self-earners like Ebon.

For one, a measure is being deliberated in Congress seeking to protect food delivery riders from hoax orders, allowing them to earn a living without the risk of being scammed. The Pasig City government along with other associations also recently opened up a weekend food hub in Ortigas Center where small-time vendors can sell their own products.

For now, Ebon is hoping that her small mobile “palengke” would continue to flourish and get the support of the condo residents even as the pandemic starts to wane.

“Siyempre nagsa-sacrifice kami hindi lang dahil sa profit. Gusto ko magbigay din ng affordable na price din na convenient sa kanila at may kita din naman ako. Pabor din naman sa akin na may kita akong konti,” she said.