I'M INTO YOU SEASON 2

Chapter 113

10:43 AM

"Next time na lang, gusto ko munang libutin itong UP Diliman as of now." nakangiting sagot ko sakaniya.

"So ano ang next na gusto mong puntahan?" nakangiting tanong niya sa akin.

"Ikaw bahala. Kung saan mo ako nais dalhin." nakangiting sagot ko sa kaniya.

Nagpunta-punta kami sa iba't ibang building ng mga college courses na ino-offer ng UP Diliman.

"Gusto mo na kumain? Nagsearch ako ng mga food trips dito malapit sa campus." nakangiting sabi niya sa akin.

"Sakto lang, tara game!" nakangiting sagot ko sa kaniya.

First stop, Mang Larry's Isawan.

When you say "isaw" (chicken gizzard and intestines), it is impossible not think about Mang Larry's Isawan in UP. Mang Larry has been an icon in UP, maybe in the same ranks as the Oblation itself. Lauro Condencido Jr. who is fondly called Mang Larry by students and diners established Mang Larry's Isawan in 1984.

The iconic food stand is famous for its 'isaw', a popular Filipino grilled street food made from barbecued pig or chicken intestines. Some of the food items available are the well-loved isaw manok and isaw baboy, pork BBQ, goto, gizzard, buchi, tenga, atay (liver) and chicken ass.

Mang Larry's Isawan usually has a long queue of orders from students, residents and alumni who come back for Mang Larry's delectable street food.

His stall is so popular that he is able to sell 3,000 sticks of isaw a day. This is despite his frequent moving. No matter where he transferred, students still find their way to him and his isaw. He has been to Balagtas Street near the UP Alumni Center. Before that, it was previously found near the Kalayaan Residence Hall, the UP Post Office, in the parking lot of the College of Law and near the arcade and UP swimming pool since 1984.

In August 2017, Mang Larry's underwent a more permanent and better makeover when his stall was turned into a full-scale food joint. This is complete with table and chairs in a dining area that can seat 20 people. Condencido recalls that 33 years ago, he started his business with only Php40 pesos capital for 15 kilos of pork and chicken giblets. He set up his grill near the house of his aunt where they were residing. He sold isaw for 50 centavos per stick. Today it costs 5 pesos per stick.

In 1995, he decided to resign from his day job as a janitor in LVN Pictures Inc. to focus on his booming grilling business. He decided to call it Mang Larry's Isawan.

Naglakad lang kami ni Czheandrei at noong makarating na kami doon ay kaagad naman kaming umorder.

"Anong sayo?" kalmadong tanong ni Czheandrei sa akin.

"Isaw, dugo, tenga at barbeque sa akin." malumanay na sagot ko kay Czheandrei.

"Tig-iilan niyan?" dagdag pa niyang tanong sa akin.

"Ikaw na bahala, ayaw mo akong pagbayarin sa lahat eh." tila'y nagtatampo kong sagot sa kaniya.

Tumawa lang siya at pumunta na siya ng counter para mag-order.

Totoo nga ang sabi-sabi rito sa Mang Larry's Isawan na talagang maraming customers!

Mukhang ang sarap nga mga ihaw-ihaw nila dito!

Hindi na ako magtataka kung paborito ito ng mga iskolar ng bayan sa UP Diliman.

Ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas ay bumalik na si Czheandrei at ise-serve na lang daw sa amin ang pagkain kapag naluto na ito.

"Alam mo? Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na bago tayo mag-schooling ngayong College ay nakapag-tour tayo kahit paano. Salamat talaga sa experience!" nakangiting sabi ko sa kaniya.