Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, they say. Mallgoers are seen shopping for gifts while some endure the long lines in supermarkets.
For many of us, this season is a chance to re-connect with family and loved ones we don’t see very often during the year, especially over shared food during Noche Buena. It is when work, school, or anything else that keeps us busy is momentarily set aside.
However, such a tradition is not for everyone else. While almost everyone is at home, there are those who seize the opportunity of the holidays even for meager earnings.
A fruit vendor for 10 years, Christy Castañeda of Barangay Taculing said she and her family are used to not celebrating Christmas eve because selling fruits is their priority. When they arrive home, they will just sleep due to being tired from selling the whole day. Her parents were fruit vendors too, and she assumed her parents’ business.
Castañeda is one of the many vendors you see in the downtown area of Bacolod City.
It is the same scenario for Josephine Gonzales, also a fruit vendor in the downtown area. According to her, they are not in their home at Barangay Handumanan on Christmas eve because they have to sell fruits and sleep during the night in their makeshift stall.
Despite not being in their home on a holiday many celebrate, Gonzales said that they are still happy because they can profit a bit more than usual during this season. She started selling fruits in 1988.
Realizing profit during the pandemic has been difficult because few people went outside due to government restrictions, said Teng Peraja, a resident of Barangay Sum-ag and a fruit vendor for almost 25 years.
Castañeda, Gonzales, and Peraja all lamented that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had significantly affected their lives. However, they are still hopeful that this Christmas will be better than the previous ones.
According to Pareja, it seems like there are more people now, and he expects to realize better profits this time. He also said they have planned a get-together with his family on Christmas eve. Pareja also calls on the local government to still allow them to use the one-meter space along the city streets next year.
Gonzales added that this time, they don’t have to run or hide when they are selling because the local government designated a space for them to set up their fruit stands.
She added that if profits are good this December and in January next year, she can have their their house repaired and do shopping.
Castañeda, on the other hand, said they spent more capital on their business this year. She’s relieved because everyone’s finances appear to have improved. While some are concerned about the impact of rising commodity prices on their businesses, Castañeda also sympathizes with consumers who are on a tight budget.
Fruit vendors like them tirelessly invest their blood and sweat in their businesses, Christmas or not.
So whether or not we get to spend Christmas with our loved ones, let us remember that the main essence of the celebration is the birth of Jesus Christ. We must thank Him for the life we live and pray for others’ safety and prosperity./PN
