Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.
For Filipinos, nothing beats the scorching heat in Saudi Arabia better than the very affordable iced candy.
JJ Bryan is one of the eight iced candy vendors in Bat’ha, a popular spot for Filipinos in Riyadh.
He was encouraged by fellow OFW Ramon Dobles to sell iced candy instead of just playing video games during their spare time.
“Itong mga taong ito, yong mga tiga-tinda ko ngayon (These guys help me sell ice candy now),” Dobles said.
Dobles said his sellers are his young colleagues at work who graduated from a two-year course in the Philippines.
They used to be addicted to playing video games but now get to earn extra money by selling iced candy.
“At the same time, gusto kong matulungan din yong kapwa ko manggagawa dito sa kumpanya na makahanap sila nang konting kita rin (At the same time, I want to help my fellow OFWs to earn extra),” Dobles said.
Dobles said they used to be embarrassed when selling iced candy to fellow Filipinos. But now, they even post pictures of themselves selling it on their own social media accounts.
“Ang hiya ‘wag mong intidihin yun. Ang intindihin natin yong kumita tayo, magkakapera tayo (Why be ashamed of selling ice candy? Don’t mind it. Let’s think about earning money),” he said. —from a report from Roland Blanco, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau
Photo: YouTube video screengrab
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.