every morning, a familiar sound can be heard in the streets. "
taho!," the man shouted as he struggled to carry two metal pails across his shoulders. some of them have placed the pails on a pedicab (a bicycle with a sidecar) and pushes the pedals as he shouts his wares.
taho is as familiar as green mangoes and
bagoong. as a child, i would stand in our front lawn, wearing my pyjamas as i waited for that familiar call almost every morning. a day just wouldn't be complete without a cup of that silky sweet goodness. taho is
made from silken tofu, cooked until it reaches the consistency of soft custard. it is served with
arnibal (syrup) and
sago (sago pearls). as i slurped, i would talk to my dad how one day i would study and be somebody.
in college, i was fortunate to have been accepted at the University of the Philippines. one of the things i battled at that time was homesickness. thankfully,
taho was also sold there the same way it was sold anywhere in the country. it tasted the same, and it reminded me of home, of growing up and daydreaming of what i would become someday.
as i entered the workforce,
taho was still a regular breakfast fix. before i entered my office building, i would stop at the corner where the
taho vendor stood. it was a lifesaver on those days that i was running late and breakfast was not an option. it was comfort food; it calmed my nerves before i had to stand and train people twice my age. it helped me center myself and reminded me that everything will be okay.
every morning, a familiar sound can be heard in the streets. "taho!," the man shouted as he struggled to carry two metal pails across his shoulders. some of them have placed the pails on a pedicab (a bicycle with a sidecar) and pushes the pedals as he shouts his wares.
a little boy's voice can be heard piercing the silence of the morning.
mommy, taho!, he cried out. as i rushed to get his cup and fish out some coins from my purse, i remember the little girl eagerly waiting for the
taho vendor every morning in her pyjamas
.
taho vendor photo found on flickr.
taho in cups photo mine.
oh yes, this was also a regular afternoon snack for me while in college. i haven't had this in years. i miss it.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen anything like that before!!! I wonder what it tastes like :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteomg...i remember the two trips i made to the philippines when i was a little girl...hearing and seeing someone shouting "taho"! i love taho! my tita use to make it at family gatherings but it's been years maybe a decade since she's made it. note to self: next summer when we visit california i must ask my tita to make it!...now i am craving it!
ReplyDelete