SALCEDO MARKET 7 Years later

Salcedo Market was the first real outlet for Nana Meng Tsokolate, my little project with my mom. It was 2004. I had just returned from a long vacay in the US and had decided that we were going to continue with our little Christmas project and develop it into a possible business venture. Like a lot of businesses whose birth was at the Makati Sports Club bazaar of Myrna Alimurung, the Polo Club Christmas bazaars and Noel Bazaar at the World Center, we were hoping to replicate the sales we made at those bazaars into a more constant source of income.

NANA MENG TSOKOLATE: One of the first vendors at Salcedo Market

I was walking around Salcedo Village that Christmas season when I saw these leaflets being passed around for a weekend market. I thought it would be interesting to join but was told upon inquiring that there was a waitlist. A very kind lady Mila Tan, after seeing our products at a bazaar and I think online, introduced me to to a very lively dude in ripped jeans who was then heading the market, Marc Medina.

We joined the Salcedo Market January of 2005, just right after it had opened in Christmas of 2004. I recall those first days of ours in the market, with me and my mom personally tending the booth, as the history of Salcedo Market was recalled for us by Bgy. Bel Air Kapitana Nene Lichauco.

Angels of Bel Air: Belle Oposa, Ope Lopez, Kapitana Nene Lichauco, Carminda Regala

Apparently it was all borne out of an effort to establish to the Salcedo Village residents that they are part of Bgy. Bel Air. That's all. But the market took on a life of its own. From the original hundred stall holders, the market now has a waitlist of over a thousand.

Today the Salcedo Market is an effort of the Women of Bel Air, who shared the purpose of the Salcedo Market in their eyes at a brunch for the press. Shared Ope Lopez: "To Filipinos, food is basis to marking occasions that are important in life. We celebrate anything matters, a birthday, a new job, an anniversary - it is a way of making relationships - of celebrating life. When we gather friends around us, it is usually around am eal - and it becomes more significant and becomes a feast, when the meal is satisfying and is prepared with love and shared with people who matter to us. Salcedo Market is not just community, it is family. Here we are happy to share food that have been part of family - comfort food, special occasion dishes, home cooking, gourmet dishes - most of them dishes we serve in our own homes."

Women of Bel Air: Anna Torres, Des Torres, Charley Braga, Mia Villanueva

Bum Tenorio, Michelle soliven, , Christine Dayrit, Patricia Lichauco, Malyne Lorayes

The selections have also grown. A lot of those who started out in the Salcedo Market now have their own restaurants or franchises. Ineng's Barbecue was the talk of the town when it started out at Salcedo Market. They had one stall in the parking lot which branched out to three. Later they opened in Market! Market! And today they are all over the place. Myron's owners Mon and Monique Eugenio used to sell meats beside our stall. Now they have Myron's at Rockwell and Greenbelt 5. 

 Some original vendors have stayed, such as Rene's Fruit Stand. But the choices have massively expanded. Now there are French vendors, Moroccan stalls, dirty ice cream. I especially like the Himalayan salts sold by this vendor at the corner facing Salcedo 3:

Some will get a kick out of this: Gourmet Polvoron. I asked the vendor, Bakit iyan 'gourmet' and he just shrugged. Maybe it uses breast milk, hah!

 Those who still make Kinulob na Manok will be happy to find these eggs:

Healthy eaters will be happy to find this brown rice from the north:

 Most of all it's a great place for brunch, especially when balikbayans are in town. The choices for cooked food are spectacular. After all these years, I still go to the grill section where I get grilled panga ng tuna (jaw), to the stall across Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for fresh buko juice, and to bring home, Tommy's Coffee. Since it's so hot, stand alone vendors of fruit shakes and ice creams are a great addition too. Also, look for Gary, who sells these wonderful hats. 

Salcedo Market is also aiming to be the first all-green market community, requiring vendors to NOT use anything plastic. It's for the next generation, like these two toddlers who met at the Market. Caught them on camera 5 years ago: 

Salcedo Market Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village
Bel Air, Makati City, Philippines
Open only on Saturdays 7am to 2 pm
Wheelchair accessible
Cash basis only

Daddy (in blue shirt)shopping at the Market, leaving me to get my ride