This Grandma Cooks Garbage Food Waste To Survive In The Philippines | THE VOICELESS #15

Summary

The video features 'Má Rosita,' a 68-year-old woman who makes a living by collecting leftover food, known as 'pagpag,' from garbage and selling it. Despite its origins, she ensures the food is thoroughly cleaned and safe to eat. Rosita has been doing this for six years, starting her day at 3 am to gather the best leftovers. A meal costs around 60 cents, though most customers pay only 20 cents. The video explores the legality and health concerns of pagpag, with Rosita and others in her community defending its necessity for survival. It also touches on the local authorities' stance, who have not intervened despite the practice being illegal.

Takeaways

• 👵 Má Rosita, 68 years old, cooks and sells leftover food (pagpag) to survive.
• ♻️ Despite claims that the food comes from the trash, it is thoroughly cleaned and considered safe.
• 🍗 Pagpag is made from leftover food, particularly from fast food, and is common in this area.
• ⏰ Má Rosita starts collecting leftovers as early as 3 AM to get the best quality food.
• 💸 She sells pagpag for around 20-60 cents USD, making around $4-6 per day.
• 🍳 Fried foods are the most popular items among her customers, especially the children.
• 🚫 Pagpag selling is technically illegal, but Má Rosita hasn’t faced complaints or legal action.
• 🦟 Other pagpag collectors sometimes spray food with chemicals to prevent maggots, but Má Rosita cleans it thoroughly.
• 👮 Health inspectors and police occasionally visit but have not stopped her due to the lack of complaints.
• 🔄 Má Rosita plans to continue this work as long as she can, as it is her main source of income.

Q & A

Who is Má Rosita, and how old is she?

Má Rosita is a 68-year-old woman who cooks and sells leftover food known as pagpag to survive.

What is pagpag, and why do people say it comes from trash?

Pagpag is food made from leftovers collected from trash bins. Although some claim it's from the trash, Má Rosita ensures it's clean by washing it properly before cooking.

How long has Má Rosita been selling pagpag?

Má Rosita has been selling pagpag for about six years.

What time does Má Rosita start collecting leftovers, and why does she start so early?

She starts collecting around 3 AM to ensure she gets the best leftovers, as food sometimes arrives as early as 2 AM.

How much does a serving of pagpag cost?

A plastic bag full of fried pagpag costs around 60 cents USD, but most people buy smaller portions for 20 cents, as it's all they can afford.

How much does Má Rosita earn daily from selling pagpag?

She earns between 4-6 USD per day, which is around 90,000 to 130,000 Vietnamese dong.

What is the most popular dish among Má Rosita’s customers?

Her fried dishes are the most popular, as they are the ones customers enjoy the most.

Is selling pagpag illegal, and why?

Yes, selling pagpag is illegal because some pagpag collectors spray chemicals on the food to prevent maggots. However, Má Rosita cleans the food thoroughly, ensuring it's safe to eat.

Why does Má Rosita continue selling pagpag despite it being illegal?

She continues because it's her main source of income and how she survives. She hasn’t received any complaints or health violations, so she feels it’s safe to continue.

How do health inspectors and the community view Má Rosita's pagpag business?

Health inspectors have visited but never raised concerns about her food being dirty or unsafe. The police have also observed her business and commented that the food looks fresh.