10-peso ‘pastil’ slowly bids farewell; vendors, MSUans express mixed opinions

by IAN PAOLO VILLACENCIO, MARIA NICOLE SILVA

photo by Rayjie Carillo

10-peso pastil, no more?

Pastil became a staple food for every MSUans because of its affordable prices and delicious taste but it's been a question for everyone as they're wondering if there's still an affordable version of that food delicacy.

There are stalls that offer that aforementioned food in which students mostly go there everyday, however due to inflation, along with the goods and services, “pastil” has now seen its cost to rise. 

 

Vendors' Voice

Pastil vendors made some adjustments to further satisfy their customers despite the increasing prices of its ingredients.

According to Usop Cali, a vendor from Habibi eatery, they serve 15- peso pastil but to the delight of their customers, they made the serving bigger but maintained its price.

"Per serve namin is 15 pesos and hindi kagaya ‘nung sa iba, hindi naman sa siniriraan natin ‘yung iba, pero sa 15 pesos namin, medyo malaki ‘yung serve ng kanin namin, pangalawa, ‘yung magandang bigas ang binibili namin, so ‘yon ‘yung about sa pastil namin," Cali said.

The idea was also affirmed by Joezela Perez, a vendor from H canteen, their team adjusted the price as they based on the quality of rice as it also costs up higher than before.

"Pinakafirst na factor jud is ang bigas, hangtud karon wala gihapon nag roll back. Imbes na ang half sack dati nga first namo na nagatinda pa mi, tung naga ten pami, is ano palang 950+ ang 25 kilos, karon, mudagan na sya sa 1,300 to 1,400," she said.

 Moreover, for Bellarina Locsin, also a vendor from the canteen outside the school gymnasium, emphasized not only the ingredients but also the renting cost of their place.

"Dati-rati, yung space rental kasi ng MSU-GenSan ay ₱50 lang per booth, umakyat sya before mag pandemic by ₱200 pesos per month per booth, so sa ngayon, last year pa, ay umakyat sa ₱500 pesos, per booth, except kung may okasyon… Saan namin kukunin na mag improve din yung quality sa pagtitinda namin kung maliit masyado yung kikitain namin o hanggang pagkain lang," she stressed.

In a statement by Cely Ann Nunag, vendor from ASSSA canteen, the price for their pastil won't get any lower and may become higher, depending on the situation.

"Mahal na ang rice, pati spices like mga lamas specially sibuyas pati ang oil. Tapos may freebies pa baya like pipino, talong, tapos si talong minsan mahal ang kilo, so wala kaming choice, minsan gani para may ma serve lang, piyungan nalang ang presyo," she narrated.

Meanwhile, Arlene Albañez, one of the pastil merchants from CNSM, doesn't want to surprise her customers on the cost of the said food.

"May toppings na ‘yung 10 pesos pero dili siya ingon na dako jud, tama tama lang na 1 cup na gamay. Wala mi tag kinse, 10 jud among price. Tag 10 pesos lang pero gagmay lang jud siya,” she stated. 

For Andrea Macabodbod, vendor from COA, they still offer 10-peso pastil yet to ease hunger only, not for satisfaction.

"Kung maghatag ko ug 10, gamay lang siya. Isa lang ka-cup. While pag-20 ka is tatlo ka cup, then 15 dalawa. Mahal jud ang bugas. Mahal na tanan, nagtaas na pud sila karon sa market. Bag o napud sila nagtaas,” Macabodbod explained.

Maintaining the prices to 10 pesos is also a thing for Cyrus Manriquez, one of the vendors from the Woods of CSSH, stating that to make it affordable for students.

"Sa amoa diria, naa pa  man mi dyis sa amoa karon. Pero sa uban wala na kay tungod nagmahal man pud gud ang bugas. Ang bugas man gud naa na sa mga 55, mga ing-ana. So, ang gibuhat sa uban is giwala gyud  nila ang 10.” he said.

Similar idea also by Jessica Rose Padernal from LKD eatery, saying that the ingredients will affect the price of their food.

In a statement from Pastilan ni Kambal of COE, they set their price to 15 to gain a bit of profit.

Customers' Chimes

According to Cire Kenn Nalzaro, a second year BSECE student and also a resident of H canteen, he stated that there are still offering a 10 pesos pastil but only few remain.

"Siguro mag-adjust jud sa pag budget sa imong financial kay syempre ang singko is dako na na sya permanente kay permanente mn ta mukaon, so naa jud muadjust sa imong budget," he added.

In a statement by Khristian Dayne Obasa, a 2nd year BSBA Marketing Student, for him, the inflation and the supply affect the price.

"Wala naman jud, outside, inside. Bisa’g muadto kag uban school mao gyud na ang price karon sa pastil is 15 up. Okay lang man kay nagasabay siya sa inflation ba. Ing ana man jud na, pareha sa amoang business ba. Justifiable siya 15. Muadto kag davao ang pastil didto kinse," he added.

"Katong inflation ug kaning medjo naga low ang supply sa tuna so okay raman na kay naga pastil man sad mi, and galisod mi’g kuha ug kanang tuna na canned or bagged. Nagmahal man gud siya kay tubuan nila ba since gamay man ang supply so, naga price jud sila ug taas."

Dalilah Saricala, a 4th year BEED student, thinks that they need to adjust to the hiking prices of the said rice and food viand.

"Siguro na overpriced or siguro nasabay pud sila sa panahon. Bisan gina try namo i-suit sa among allowance, gina pilit nalang namo sa 15 pesos kay syempre didto mas lapit. Sulit siya pero kailangan pud nimo isipon na next day dapat pud ka magtipid. Nagtaas jud siya pero okay lang kay wala man kami choice, kailangan pud namo mag adjust. Daghan man side dish, mga talong, pipino," she stressed.

“Pastil” has become one of the go-to foods for MSUans as it is already composed of energy foods that will help them not to feel sluggish knowing the university’s environment. 

Nevertheless, since prices nowadays continue to increase, students and vendors are left no choice but to adjust the current status of these foods to satisfy their hunger.