Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur – On the way to Dipolog City from Kidapawan City in Cotabato for the first “Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa” engagements with local government units, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) team had to settle for crackers and canned corn beef for lunch after discovering that all eateries and restaurants along the way were closed because of the enforced COVID 19 protocols.
It was a memorable experience though as the family which owned the roadside store showed the typical Filipino hospitality by offering us, plates, a bowl, spoon and fork, chairs and a bench so we could take our lunch.
Our roadside lunch was made more filling by the fresh Buko Pandan bottled coconut water which we picked up at Mataling, Malabang, Lanao del Sur courtesy Ace Mancilla-Gaccad of Matling Company.
Since we brought a lot of face masks with us courtesy of John Tan of Eng Seng, we returned the kindness by giving the couple and their son face masks.
Sanay ako sa ganito dahil pinanganak kami sa bukid mula sa mahirap na pamilya.
Sosyal nga ang pagkain namin kahapon, Skyflakes at corned beef, kumpara noong mga bata pa kami who worked in our farm during weekends.
Noon, tinapay na Monay lang at sardinas at kung medyo taghirap, saging na Saba at Bagoong Monamon, pyts na!
(Photos by MinDA Staff)
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