Keziah Cariño, Hezel Sulan
The sultry sun and the flaming heat of the competition for this year’s 51st Foundation Anniversary and Intramural of MSU Gensan, combined with the aroma-filled air, is a sensory feast and experience like no other, where excitement of the events blends seamlessly with the taste of different bakes, blends, and brews. As you step inside the campus, this tempting array of stalls awaits, with warm vendors ready to serve and offer a taste of something for everyone, leaving no room for crumbs and discontent.
© Katrina Elises
Serving the Best of Bites
It's pure comfort to realize love is best served on plates. When exhaustion hits best, there's just something so special about knowing there are stall vendors waiting with arms wide open, ever ready to satisfy a weary soul. From different tusok-tusok and beverages to savory hot meals and desserts, the options are endless.
Selling and serving are also indeed building bridges through simple conversations. "Gusto gyud nako how we are able to communicate with the students sa MSU like for me, kay parang everytime na mag entertain ko, I feel like friend pud ko nila," a vendor and cook stated, expressing how working connects her with others in ways she never thought possible. There are also first-time intramural vendors who display so much enthusiasm and passion for serving and brewing for us. “I'm very excited to be here, and my first time is such an amazing time and moment for me and my team, so I hope next year, I will be able to be here again and serve all the students,” a self-made barista and business owner expressed cheerfully.
Behind these stalls, stories of our MSUan student workers and part-timers also lie. This event has opened doors for them to be a piece and part of this collective food scene. “It made me wiser when it comes to decision-making and handling money. I also learned and gained a lot of advantage from this business.” “As a working student, proud po ako kasi na su-suffice ko yung personal needs ko as a student, sinusuportahan ko yung sarili ko para makapag aral.” These words from student baristas truly reflect the resilient spirit of an MSUan that stands firm and looks for solutions when times are tough. Apart from passion, their drive is also fueled by stall owners who hired them to not just solely work but also gain invaluable experiences they can carry outside of this event.
MSU intramural 2024 vendors have become more than just sellers but are a significant part of the heart and soul of the event. Instead of just handing out snacks traditionally, they’ve created spaces where students come to unwind, chat, and refuel. It's not just about serving food—it’s about serving a part of themselves and creating connections that go beyond the kitchen, like how it has been an act of motherly love for Aling LingLing of Golden Chicken, an act of cheerful disposition for Mr. Arh of By the Street Coffee, and the perseverance of the student part-timers.
Satiable Spectators
In those moments where fatigue from the events slips quietly, food stalls urge students to feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down, to pause, and take a breath. For everyone who stops by, stalls are a gentle reminder that even the strongest among us need to rest not just from the overwhelming heat of rivalry in the events but also from the heat of life's demands. "Ma-enjoy nako kay ma busog ko and sulit gyud sya. Ang food man gud para sa akon is murag stress reliever ko sya," a student stated, reflecting her satisfaction and how she turns food into comfort in between.
Amidst the competition and fatigue suppressing, solace is found in the simple act of quenching thirst and sharing or having a meal. With every stall in action, food not only nourishes the body but also rejuvenates the spirit, allowing students to taste not just flavors but to remind them that no matter how tough the journey gets, there’s always room for comfort, connection, a little bit of joy, and renewed strength along the aroma-filled streets of the campus.
The holistic impact of these stalls, every intramural, is truly one for the books, as it goes beyond a place to grab a bite but a testament to the passion and hard work of the people behind them. Depending on what you crave and your taste buds, the stalls have a diverse range of options. Indeed, the vendors not only serve delicious food but also a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, making its spectators of all ages enjoy the shared experience, savoring every bite, and wanting more without leaving a crumb—making the intramural a special event and an unforgettable experience.
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