SIOMAI

I so love siomai.

Last Friday night, as I walked my way to the tricycle terminal I thought, “Hey, when was the last time you’ve bought siomai here?” That was like ages ago. I’ve eaten siomai with my friend just last week but it’s been, I think, eight months since I last bought from my favorite vendor.
And then I saw him, the forty-something man who happened to be the only siomai vendor in that place. He wasn’t looking so I had the chance to practice my best smile. When he saw me he was obviously surprised. But he smiled.

I don’t even know his name. And yet I consider him to be a part of my college life. More than two years ago, when I was still a freshman and my father was still working, we used to go home together. We’ usually meet near the siomai stand because Papa also liked the food and he used to buy siomai worth a hundred pesos during his paydays. And the lucky vendor gets to have a small chat with either my father or me, depending on who comes first. But due to changes in my schedule and my father’s leaving work, our meetings became occasional. Anyway his siomai is the best. I couldn’t even describe it. I guess it would be too much to say that when you begin to eat it, “parang bumukas ang langit, at nagsikantahan ang mga anghel” but I can say it’s the best siomai I’ve ever tasted. I’ve tasted others but this one, it just gives me a completely different feeling. I don’t know, maybe the fact that the vendor had become a family friend also made his siomai more delicious.

I used to buy only two pieces for five pesos. He said, “Tulad ng dati?” I answered, “Hindi, Kuya. Apat po ngayon.” Another surprise. Well, if I had the money I would have bought more.

We had a small talk and he was shocked when I mentioned that my father had a stroke. He also said that “humina ang kita”. I think I know why. Not because of another siomai vendor (I told you, he’s the only one there) but because of those calamares vendors. They’ve invaded the place. But I never liked the squid wrapped in flour. No offense to calamares lovers and vendors but really, I don’t taste anything other than the flour. It was no match to the siomai I love.

As I sat inside the tricycle I could see the siomai stand and I couldn’t help but wonder about the life of this man. All I know is that he’s doing this because he needs to, because he has a family to cater to. And I think he’s doing well. Someday, soon I hope, I’d buy more from him.
- November 9, 2007