The Food Market Craze

Food markets have sprouted in different locations in Metro Manila, and Filipinos flock to those places like ants to sugar. Our race definitely loves to eat, and being in one place where we can buy and taste all types of food is almost like heaven to us. And we are not limited to local dishes. These food markets boast of flavors coming from all part of the globe.

The Quezon City Memorial Circle is home to such weekend market during the weekends. On ordinary weekdays, you’ll find only a handful of park hoppers… families from nearby provinces having picnics, out of school youths playing in the free playground, lovers holding hands while walking (or doing something else if you dare to get a closer look). But the place livens up come Saturday and Sunday. Parents bring their kids and pets along for a little bonding time, health buffs in their exercise attires take advantage of the free aerobics classes held in the morning, joggers with their iPods blaring in their ears run around the place. And after all those activities they have the option to do two things: shop or eat. Stalls line up one after the other, one section is for clothes, toys, and other dry goods. The other section, the one that displays an array of culinary delights, attracts more customers.

You can’t help but walk along the area as the wafting aroma of food tickles your nostrils and hypnotizes your brain into getting your next food fix right at that moment. It doesn’t matter if you went there to exercise and lose weight, the smell is enough to make you forget counting your calories. Barbecue smoke envelopes you, and you can choose from many different versions of the charbroiled delicacy. Pork meat is the usual barbecue fare, but in this country, no part of the poor piggy is wasted. The ears, the innards, the liver… name it they can barbecue it. Same goes for chicken. Deep-fried seafood is also popular to hungry folks like crispy crablets, stuffed crabs, small fishes that I can barely name, squid, shrimp. In one of the stalls, chicken wings are becoming a regular favorite. The wings are deep-fried to a crisp than generously coated with barbecue sauce.

What makes it special is the fact that this kind of food was once found only in restaurants, but it’s now made affordable and accessible to those with limited budget. Walk on some more and you’ll find fresh fruit shakes, organic food, and regular Filipino food that comes with rice and drink for a minimum price.

In a country where money is scarce, affordable is the word that we often look for. This is what we can have during the weekends at Quezon City Memorial Circle… family quality time, exercise, shopping, dining… all in one place. It’s the perfect place to de-stress after a hectic week at work.