To market, to market

For the first time in his 10-year-old life, Miguelito (not his real name, but close enough) tagged along to the "palengke" (public market) with his mother.

- JULLIE Y. DAZA

After the first few steps, looking very worried and puzzled at the same time, he asked, “Are you poor today, Mama?”

Mama, looking very much concerned, answered, “Why do you say that?”

Miguelito replied, “Why are we shopping here? This place looks poor.” He was likely referring to the inadequate lighting, the uneven flooring, the absence of airconditioning, and the vendors not wearing a uniform and not speaking English.

This market was certainly, definitely, absolutely nothing like a supermarket!