The Re-Awakening of Sugbo Mercado
Since its opening in September 2015, Sugbo Mercado has achieved the reputation of being the first and biggest weekend food market in Cebu. It has showcased the best of Cebu while supporting the new entrepreneurs in the local food industry. They have opened a branch in Mandaue (container van food park) and Lapu-Lapu Cities and a fourth branch to display street food, with emphasis on Cebuano street food in Ayala Center Cebu.
Then the pesky virus struck and various quarantine measures were imposed on the general public. Sugbo Mercado had temporarily cease operations.
I belong to the class of the elderly people (aged 60 and up) that are most vulnerable to Covid-19, and so nearly all my outdoor activities have dropped to nil. The risk for severe illness increases with age and it is a Sword of Damocles that hangs even for the most mundane task of replenishing food and medicine supply. I have disinfected my hands with so much isopropyl alcohol instead of – excuse me – ethyl alcohol like vodka, gin, cognac or whiskey!
Now, after five months of hibernation, Sugbo Mercado has re-awakened last August 12 they are back in business at the Garden Block, IT Park. I have read that this food market complies with strict protocols in reopening and last October 17, I revisited Sugbo Mercado because it has an open-air setup. These days, I feel more safe eating outdoors in public places rather than in air-conditioned rooms.
There were many food choices available, but I was in the mood for something spicy and I went for Tom Yum Soup at the Dee Soi Bangkok Street Food stall. The name “tom yum” takes from two Thai words, “tom” meaning boiling and “yum” meaning mixed. Hot and sour are the dominant flavors with an umani taste that comes from the stir-fried prawns. It has a fragrant smell released by the herbs and spices like galangal, kafir lime leaves, coriander and lemon grass. There are variations like the Tom Yum Nam Khon, which has added coconut milk or evaporated milk in the soup, and the latter is what Dee Soi Food stall serves.
I asked the service staff where I could buy my bottle of beer and they were apologetic in saying that selling of alcohol beverages were not yet allowed at the food park. I went out for a smoke and saw a family of five disembark from a car and they all went in. I went back in through the dedicated entry point curious on how they would manage the strict twopeople-per-table rule.
After they were seated, the service staff reminded them of the table rule and the youngest simply stood up and continued to eat standing up. Nice manners and much respect to the elders!