It was nearing lunch and we decided; where else better to have lunch than in the local market? But when we got there I was seriously confused as to where to eat for the mere selection of food stalls and choices. Stall owners all calling out with smiles, urging you to eat. I was in fact famished at this point and seeing a pan full of Caldereta (spicy beef stew in tomato sauce, a favorite Filipino dish of mine) made all the difference to me, I found myself drawn to it sitting almost automatically in front of the stall where it itself was seemingly calling out to me not the stall owner.

Lunch was great, at fifty pesos I was good to go again, that includes the extra rice I had, a soft drink and off course the Caldereta. After resting and giving a little time for our bellies to digest all that food, my guide and I started walking thru the market; he suggested that we first go outside thru the terminals and parking lots to get a better perspective of the market’s architecture.

Walking by, I was impressed at how the terminal was set up; being it where it was makes all the sense, logical and practical. Jeepneys, tricycles and FX’s going to any point in and out of town where all there, labeled at their own respective posts. Past the terminal and parking lot of the market we turned around and my guide pointed out that the market was actually divided into three sections, three buildings. I was again impressed at the architectural simplicity yet practicality of its design and segregation, Tanayan’s are truly in check with efficiency.

The first building was mainly comprised of a cluster of “tiangge” or flea markets, curiosities shops, gift items, clothes, household items and where all the eateries are located, where we started off. The second building houses the meat section, vegetables and food supplies. I later learned that there was a newly installed bingo area on top of the second building, where daily games are held. The third building is the wet market, fish, meat etc.

We then again walked back in to the market to get a closer look. Walking our way from the first building cutting to the second and onto the third. There was no lack of enthusiasm or eagerness from stall to stall that I passed, whatever they may be selling. All would greet you “Suki” or “favored customer” with warm welcoming smiles on their faces.

As we got to the second building I got to chat with an elderly woman who for the most part of her life has been selling goods. I learned from her that originally, the market was located at what was now the “Plaza” and that in the early nineties, it burned down and the local government moved it to its current location. We were cut short from chatting, I felt I was in her way, although she was answering my questions, she seemed too busy and I wouldn’t want to be a bother anymore, so I said my thanks and went on our way again. Of all the three buildings, the wet market seemed the busiest, men carrying meat and buckets of fish, the sound of chopping boards, voices bargaining over prices, ice and water splashing and vendors calling out to customers. I also found out that there were actually four buildings at this market complex, a smaller drop off point for delivery trucks that I also later learned that doubles sometimes as a flea market.

Amidst all of this activity, in the middle of the entire wet market there was a karaoke machine and as we passed there was a young lady vendor singing on it probably taking a short break. I couldn’t help but smile at her. That to me was the clincher, to find something that charming a scene in an environment that was very unlikely to have something like that. Oh she smile back by the way and pointed to what she was selling, sausages, I politely declined. She carried on singing.

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