Stories of Life

We Can Do So Much

"Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much." — Helen Keller

Pagadian City’s early morning air was crisp and carried the faint aroma of freshly cooked rice. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a golden hue over the bustling streets. Nilo, a hardworking man in his mid-thirties, adjusted the large woven basket he was carrying. It was filled to the brim with Puto Maya, a delicacy Pagadian was famous for. Made from sticky rice, coconut milk, and sugar, the Puto Maya was not just a treat; it was a part of the city’s culture and heritage.

Nilo had been in the Puto Maya business for as long as he could remember. His parents had passed down the secret recipe to him, and he had dedicated his life to perfecting it. But times were tough. The recent rise of fast food chains and commercialized snacks had started to take a toll on traditional food vendors like him. Sales were dwindling, and Nilo feared that the craft of making Puto Maya would be lost if things didn’t change soon.

“Amy, handa na ba lahat?” Nilo called out as he approached the small food stall they owned in the town market. Amy, a spirited young woman in her late twenties, was Nilo’s cousin and business partner. She had moved back to Pagadian a few years ago after finishing her studies in Cebu, bringing with her a fresh perspective and new ideas.

“Oo, Kuya Nilo. Naka-display na lahat, ready na tayo,” Amy replied, flashing him a bright smile. She had arranged the Puto Maya on banana leaves, making sure each one looked enticing to passersby. Amy believed that presentation was just as important as taste when it came to food, and she was determined to make their stall stand out.

“Salamat, Amy. Alam kong mahirap ang sitwasyon ngayon, pero kailangan natin magpatuloy,” Nilo said, his voice tinged with concern. “Hindi puwede mawala ang Puto Maya dito sa Pagadian. Parte ito ng ating kultura.”

Amy nodded, her expression turning serious. “Tama ka, Kuya. Pero hindi tayo puwedeng umasa na lang na babalik ang mga tao sa atin. Kailangan natin silang hikayatin na subukan ulit ang ating produkto.”

Nilo sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He had always believed that if you made something good, people would come. But the reality was proving to be more complicated. The competition was fierce, and the younger generation seemed more interested in trendy, Instagrammable food than in the traditional Puto Maya.

“Anong plano mo, Amy?” Nilo asked, hoping that his cousin’s innovative mind had come up with a solution.

Amy’s eyes lit up. “Kuya, naisip ko na kailangan natin mag-adjust sa panahon. Hindi natin puwedeng baguhin ang recipe, pero pwede natin baguhin ang paraan ng pagbebenta. Naisip ko na mag-launch tayo ng isang kampanya na nagpo-promote ng Puto Maya bilang parte ng heritage ng Pagadian.”

“Ano’ng klaseng kampanya?” Nilo asked, intrigued.

“Isang community event,” Amy explained enthusiastically. “Mag-iimbita tayo ng mga tao na sumali sa paggawa ng Puto Maya, mula sa pagluto hanggang sa pagbalot. Gusto kong maramdaman nila ang proseso, para mas maintindihan nila kung bakit ito espesyal. At pagkatapos, puwede tayong magkaroon ng mini-contest kung saan pipiliin nila ang best Puto Maya na nagawa. May prize na rin para sa mananalo.”

Nilo listened carefully, his mind racing with possibilities. Amy’s idea was bold, but it made sense. By involving the community, they could reignite interest in Puto Maya and remind everyone of its cultural significance. It was a way to stick together, to preserve what was theirs in the face of modern challenges.

“Maganda ‘yan, Amy,” Nilo said with newfound energy. “Pero kakailanganin natin ng tulong ng ibang vendors at mga tao sa barangay. Hindi natin kayang gawin ito mag-isa.”

Amy grinned. “Alam ko, Kuya. Pero alam ko rin na kapag nagkaisa tayo, marami tayong magagawa. Magtulungan lang tayo.”

Over the next few weeks, Nilo and Amy worked tirelessly to organize the event. They reached out to other Puto Maya vendors, local artists, and even the barangay officials, asking for their support. To their relief, many were eager to join. The idea of a community event that celebrated their local heritage resonated with everyone, and soon, the whole town was buzzing with excitement.

On the day of the event, the town plaza was transformed into a lively hub of activity. Long tables were set up, covered with ingredients and utensils. The aroma of cooking Puto Maya filled the air, drawing in people from all over the city. Nilo and Amy moved through the crowd, guiding participants through the process of making the delicacy, from soaking the rice to steaming it in banana leaves.

Laughter and chatter filled the plaza as families, friends, and neighbors worked together, sharing tips and stories. For many, it was their first time making Puto Maya, and they were eager to learn. Nilo watched with pride as people of all ages came together, united by a common goal: to keep the tradition of Puto Maya alive.

As the sun began to set, the mini-contest commenced. Participants presented their Puto Maya creations, each one unique in its own way. The judges, a mix of local chefs and elders, carefully tasted each entry, deliberating on the winner. In the end, it wasn’t just the taste that mattered, but the heart and effort that went into making it.

When the winner was announced, the crowd erupted in cheers. But for Nilo and Amy, the real victory was in seeing the community come together. The event had reminded everyone of the value of their heritage and the importance of sticking together in the face of change.

As they packed up their stall, Nilo turned to Amy with a grateful smile. “Amy, salamat sa lahat ng ginawa mo. Kung hindi dahil sa’yo, hindi ko alam kung paano natin mapapanatili ang Puto Maya.”

Amy shook her head, her eyes shining with pride. “Kuya, hindi lang ako. Lahat tayo may bahagi dito. Kung magtutulungan tayo, kaya nating mapanatili ang anumang tradisyon.”

Nilo nodded, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. Together, they had done something remarkable. They had shown that by sticking together, they could achieve more than they ever could alone.

As they walked home, the city lights twinkling in the distance, Nilo knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together—just as they always had.