Ricky's Fish Ball, 'The Fried of Victorias'

On March 12, 2019, the home and livelihood of Manong Ricky and his family were razed by a fire that broke out at their neighborhood in Barangay 4 in Victorias City (read blog here), a 4th class city in the Philippines, whose economy revolved around sugar, usurious financing, and small-town lottery.😆 That afternoon as the fire was raging, I witnessed the anguish of the family as they endured the tragedy, and although all the family members were safe, they lost everything but their hope and the will to rise up against the adversity they were facing. That night and during the next two weeks, his family had to seek shelter at one of the rooms of a public elementary school across the street.😪 

(Ricky's home reduced to ashes)

Manong Ricky and his wife, Gina, were ambulant vendors selling fried fish balls, tempura, and 'kwek-kwek' on their 'kariton' (cart) at busy intersections in Victorias, including those near public schools. This was their only livelihood that provided them with income that was enough to cover their daily expenses on food, utilities, and allowances for their four children, who were still in grade school and high school. That day, they weren't able to save their kariton and all their cooking utensils and equipment.😭

In the Philippines, just like in Korea, fried snacks sold by street vendors are popular because they are easy to eat and cheap. In Seoul, busy workers and students usually stopped by a food stall to grab some quick snacks (read blog here) teokpeokki, soondae, mini-kimbap, and other snacks classified as 퉈김 (pronounced as 'twi-kim') that means 'fried snacks'. There was one small alley near our office full of these small restaurants, but they all disappeared because of gentrification.😓

Since the fire, Manong Ricky and his family have slowly put their lives together with the help of strangers and the people of Victorias. Although they have yet to rebuild their home, they received clothes, household items, and the most helpful, a new kariton with cooking utensils. Even the high school classmates of their daughter gave up a part of their daily allowance and collected an amount to help the family. Placed in a small plastic were coins and a few paper bills as help from her classmates and schoolmates. One should never lose faith in humanity, particularly the young.🙏

(I don't see coins and paper bills. 

I see kindness and compassion.😂)

Manong Ricky and Gina have started selling their snacks again. I am sure you're familiar with these snacks: fish ball, tempura (or tem-poora but is not exactly made of big shrimps), and 'kwek-kwek' (quail egg in orange batter). To enjoy, these are put in a cup, bathed in either sweet sauce or hot sauce, and sold for P10 per cup. 

(Fish ball, tem-poora, and kwek-kwek)

These simple, yet popular, snacks have again provided for Ricky and Gina's family, and if you chance upon their kariton on the streets of Victorias, do make sure to buy a cup or two (or more!) of their snacks to help them get back on their feet. Salamat in advance. 🙏

 "Ricky's Fish Ball 

The Fried of Victorias".😀
('The Fried of Victorias' is a wordplay
for 'The Pride of Victorias')