DIGITAL KANTO EATS: HOW MICRO FOODPRENEURS ARE GOING HIGH-TECH

You step out of school, backpack heavy with notebooks and deadlines, and head straight for the corner. It's late afternoon, and the air is thick with the scent of deep-fried dreams—fishballs, kwek-kwek, calamares—all sizzling in golden oil. You dig into your pocket and count the last of your allowance. Just enough for Manong's famous 3-for-5 pesos and a generous scoop of orange sauce.

- Words by Aljhelyn Piador

No menu. No receipts. Just nods, sauce choices, and trust. This is the after-school ritual, the comfort food of students and workers alike. The turo-turo, the food cart, the kanto stall. It's where stories are swapped, friendships are formed, and flavors become memories.

But quietly, things are changing.

SWIPE, DIP, AND FRY

In recent years, Filipino street vendors have started blending tradition with tech. It's part of a broader movement called inclusive innovation—making sure even the smallest players benefit from digital progress. Tools like QR codes and mobile apps aren't just trendy; they're opening doors to the digital economy.

Across cities and barangays, micro foodpreneurs are going cashless. Where coins once ruled, laminated GCash and Maya QR codes now hang proudly on stalls. It’s fast, secure, and perfect for a generation that might not carry change but never forgets their phone.

Social media is also changing the game. Vendors post daily menus, promos, and shoutouts on Facebook and TikTok, reaching customers far beyond foot traffic. Some even take pre-orders via Messenger, making transactions smoother and more efficient.