Pugo

Pugo

Literally, translate to quail egg in Hiligaynon in Western Visayas, Philippines.This a story about a man who sold Pugo. When I was in grade school, I always look forward during recess. Who doesn't like the "subject"? Eating is both a necessity and a luxury. During recess, I went to the opposite of the school fence. There were food stalls, I usually opt for the stalls than the canteen which is packed with people. On my way there, I saw this old man standing adjacent to one of the food stalls carrying a plastic tray with quail eggs wrapped in plastic ice candy wrappers grouped in 3-4 pieces. He sold them for 2 pesos. On most school days, I would see him selling even when it rains garb in his plastic rain coat. Majority of the time, he's there. He rarely miss out on a school day. When the bell rings I could see his tray half or 2/3 full of eggs. I only saw him once or twice with an empty tray and at times I saw him separating damaged (cracked) eggs from the pile. There are times when he would sell cracked eggs (these were hard boiled eggs, by the way) at a discount and other times he would give it to me and my brother for free as I was a frequent buyer. As much as I could, I would buy quail eggs from him. As the usually recess routine, I came for him. I would seek him out then I noticed he came to sell less and less for the pass few days. Finally, the day came when I never saw him again. Every time I see a quail egg being sold, I remember the old man who strive everyday to make a living by selling quail eggs, rain or shine. Wherever he is or might be, I hope he is doing well.