Finally, I found my third stranger. I’ve been meaning to take a picture of the very friendly guard down at our office building lobby, but was always making up excuses. When Mang Dante sauntered into our group at the Sunken Garden (when the kids were having their Christmas party, and yes I was tagging along as chaperon), I knew this was my chance.

Mang Dante is a magta-taho (Fil., n., vendor selling Taho or soybean custard with sugar/vanilla syrup and pearl sago, a local street food delicacy in the Philippines) at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He’s been ‘patrolling’ the sunken garden grounds and the area around it for 10 years or more.

I graduated 5 years ago from UPD, so we had a lot to talk about. The different traffic rules, stricter curfew hours, and a couple of crimes going on inside. But not much has changed. Their group (Association of vendors) still flourishes within the campus, and it has never been safer. Mang Dante is such a happy soul doing what he does. I could see it on his face while we were chatting.

I bought 2 cups from Mang Dante (Php10 each) and he politely excused himself. I’ve actually never met such a nice street vendor.

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This photo is part of the 100 Strangers project. Join us!