Port Finds!

Port Finds!

After a couple of years, I was able to go back to the port for our sea food needs since the pandemic started. Oh how I missed the feeling of experiencing this moment again!

There is a fish vendor that goes in the village that we're residing in. Her prices for what she is selling is almost doubled (the price you have to pay for convenience) but in fairness to her, the fish were always fresh. Yesterday I had an idea why not go to the source as we can definitely save a lot of money without compromising the quantity. Since the COVID-19 cases is now lower, we can finally go the port and I invited my mother to tag along. The port was just 3 rides from the village. However, you have to be there at least before the sun rises. Going there at 5 am is very late, take it from me.

Anyway, there was no tricycle so we walked outside the village and then rode a jeepney. Afterwards, we rode a padyak which was 20 pesos each person. But if you opt to walk, you can. Do not forget to wear your boots as the place has lots of mud puddles. Be prepared, be agile and be alert specially with your belongings as there will be a huge number of people expected to be here. There is also a huge possibility that there will be pickpockets. And so again, mind your belongings and bring only what is necessary. We didn't bring our phones and dressed casually. In the port, you can see that some people are pulling their batya here and there. Some are using pails or balde while others are using ice chest coolers. This place is not for the people with perfectionistic tendencies. Be forewarned, some people do not properly wear their face masks while I saw some people that are smoking too. That's why it took us a long time to go back here. The discount that you might save is not worth it for the hefty price you'd pay once you have been infected and hospitalized.

The place had improved since I last saw it. One tip that I could give you is have your budget set before going there. Because there are a huge number of options that is very festive to the eyes, you might be tempted to buy more or out of your list (if you happen to have one). I was aiming to spend only 1000 pesos and had additional 500 in my pocket just in case, but lo and behold, I spent 1500 php or more. But in fairness, the 1500 php is also inclusive of 1 tray of eggs (200 pesos/tray), 2 pieces of tofu worth 90 pesos, slice of kalabasa for 20 pesos, 2 tangkay of alugbati for 20 pesos, 1 tangkay of pechay for 10 pesos. 2 tangkay of kangkong for 20 pesos. Liver with balunbalunan worth 44 pesos. We also had purchased 2 servings of palabok for 50 pesos and 1 small pack (5 pieces) of puto calasiao with gata for 25 pesos. 10 pesos for two small already peeled carrots.

In you're curious, I'll show you pictures of some of the things that we bought this morning:

• Suso - 1/2 of a big can for 50 pesos: 100/can. My mom went to another stall outside the port and asked how much for the tahong: 100 pesos for 1 big can. We didn't buy as it is pricier.

• Sorry but I can't distinguish the fish in the upper part; the fish we bought is 3 pieces for 130 pesos/1 kilogram. Are these two tambakol?
• The sliced one is 270 pesos and it was 1 whole medium sized fish. It was more that 1 kilogram. 240 pesos per kilogram The fish in the lower part of the picture was yellow fin, I think. Hehe.

• The shrimps are 200 pesos for a kilogram. we plan to use these for stir fry. If you're aiming for a small to medium sized shrimps intended for tempura like: I saw signages and they sell it around 480 pesos and up for a kilogram. 

• My co-worker and I were just talking recently about the type of seaweeds and she had mentioned Guso in Bisaya. I happened to see one today so I asked my mother if we could buy them. She mentioned to pour hot water in it so it would soften. The sea grapes that I've had before was soft already so you will only thoroughly wash it with water and then you're good to go with the vinegar. Good thing, the vendor agreed that we could have these halved. This is 50 pesos. This costs 100pesos/kilogram.

• Alamang is 90 pesos/kilogram but the vendor agreed to less if we are going to take all in the tray that he pointed out. We agreed and we were able to get this for 80 pesos. This is almost 1 kilogram.

• Tilapia is 90 pesos per kilogram. Not bad for 3 medium sized fish.

• These two medium size Bangus costs around 160 pesos - 1 kilogram. You can choose for a small size for 140 pesos or a bigger one for 180 pesos per kilo.

The Total