Surviving Petsa de Peligro: The Top Go-To Foods for Young Working Pinoy on a Tight Budget

"Petsa de Peligro" is a Filipino term that translates to "danger date" in English. It is used to describe the few days before payday. These are days when a person's salary or income is running low. In these times, even the most minor expenses can be a huge deal. This term has become a popular cultural phenomenon in the Philippines, and many people use it to share their financial struggles with others.

During this time, people often find ways to buy food to help them endure this situation. There are certain foods that most people would see as the best go-to food during Petsa de Piligro. Some of these foods include:

Siomai

Nothing beats good a siomai rice. This popular Chinese street food is popular amongst students who want to save their lunch money but has also been an excellent go-to food for many people during Petsa de Piligro. With just 50 to 60 pesos, you can buy 4-5 pieces of siomai and a cup of rice, which can already be filling.

Taho

Taho is a sweet tofu-based desert that has been a go-to by many office workers. You can find 2 or 3 taho vendors around office buildings not just because it is an excellent quick snack on the go but also very affordable. For around 20 to 30 pesos, you can get a large cup of taho that is good and has protein that can be very filling.

Pares

Pares is a beef stew paired with rice that is more popular in the more urban areas of the Philippines. In almost every street in Metro Manila, you will see at least one Pares cart. What makes them a popular staple is that people can get by and be full with this meal. You can ask for a refill of soup every time you empty your stew, which you can pair with a lot of rice. You can spend around 50 to 60 pesos for this meal; though some carts may sell their rice as unlimited, some may sell it for 10 pesos a cup.

Isaw

Though other grilled street foods like Betamax and Adidas can be put on this list, isaw tops all of them for being the cheapest. Very popular not just as a Petsa de Peligro dish but also as Pulutan when drinking, chicken intestines are cleaned, skewered, and grilled with barbeque sauce to make isaw. 10 to 15 pesos a stick means you can get three sticks of isaw and a cup of rice for 40 to 55 pesos a meal.

Canned meals and Noodles

This is an option for those who can cook their meals. Many canned meals are available that can be a good alternative during your Petsa de Peligro and can have a variety of flavors. Canned Sardines and Meats are very popular among the options, with a price range of about 20 to 50 pesos a can. Noodles can also be an option with a packet of noodles, whether pancit canton or mami noodles, costing around 15 to 25 pesos.