Magtitinda Sa Fiesta: Adding Up Color And Spice

By F. Jose

Magtitinda adds up color and spice in every barrio fiesta.

Who would like to miss a celebration for the bountiful blessings from our Great Creator? None of us, but being proud Filipinos, we are distinguished to have a line up of thanksgiving celebrations for our patrons and saints all year ‘round.

Whenever you arrive at a certain place here in the Philippines, you will always find them on the streets with their goods displayed on their carts or on a stand. They are the Magtitindas or vendors who sell anything that they have to earn profit. These people are such hard working as we could see. Most of them will arrive at a destination ahead of time before the day of the celebration. Most of them come in groups and some are alone preparing their stuffs ahead of time while some tries to catch a sleep to boost up their energy for the next day. 

Early birds beating the sun for
some income.

They do not mind where they would be sleeping, just like real campers. I agree that it is kind of a hard thing to catch a sleep on a surrounding which has noises and music banging on your eardrums. Maybe they are used to it, but not all are Maka-Masa(Masandal – Tulog). 

On the following day, they rise so early to gear up for the day’s real thing, “selling”. There are so many styles and strategies that they are using to sell which are admired. As a tourist or a locale, we all wanted to have a souvenir from where we have been. These may be small kinky things that we could buy like bracelets and key holders with names written on it and other stuffs. 

Every kid's apple of the eye.

The bigger eye candies were for the kids on the street where the colorful toys were displayed and being sold. Who among us did not tried to bet a peso for the palabunutan? Most of us did surely have wanted to win the colorful chicks or whatever toy is on our luck. These games of small fun give a lighter way of celebrating thanksgiving.

Magtitinda always bring
the best buy in town during
fiesta.

Adding up the colors on a celebration, the magtitindas on each festive event brightens and gives glamour not just for the people around but also for those who wants joy in their hearts. Celebrating each feast with a plus of hues and dyes on each smiles! 




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F. Jose works as Creative Consultant at JConcepts. He's now Taga Ibaan Ako's guest writer.