MANANG LISA'S BANANA CUE BUSINESS

MANANG LISA'S BANANA CUE BUSINESS

What comes to your mind when you hear the words “Banana” and “cue”? As for me, when I hear the word banana, I’m reminded of a certain animal called the monkey or the cartoon character in the kids’ show Dora the Explorer named “Boots” who, again, is a monkey. As for the word “cue,” nothing really pops out of my head. But what if you combine them together? Let me ask you again: What comes to your mind upon hearing the term “Banana cue”? Now that is a different story. Indeed, Banana cue is a Filipino food usually eaten in snacks or meriendas, but as for me, a student from the University of the Philippines, the main thing that comes to my mind is a person namely “Manang Lisa”. Now, let me tell you a short introduction about her and a brief history about when, where, and why her banana cue business started. First, who is Manang Lisa? Manang Lisa is the very popular Banana cue vendor in the university where I am studying at. She is known as Manang Lisa but her real name is Crislisa Gonzales Mendez. Physically, she has a shortly cut, curly, black hair and her skin is a dark brown. Her body structure is fat, and she is not that tall. You may frequently see her on weekdays at around eight in the morning up to six thirty in the evening cooking her fragrant banana cue recipe in her cart or waiting for customers. Her husband is a maintenance officer in the university and he is known for being called “Manong Mendez”. When asked where they live, Manang Lisa told me that her residence is just near the UP Campus in Lahug. Now, after a brief introduction about Manang Lisa’s life, shall we discuss the short history on where, when and why the Banana cue business was started? Firstly, Manang Lisa said, that the Banana cue business started in 1986 so her business now is approximately in its twenty-fifth year. Obviously, her business started and was established at the right corner of the Gaisano waiting shed—which is a favorite abode of some of the students of the university and other people—just near the front of “Oble” statue, near the first gate which is closed. I have had a theory that she established her business at that corner because her house is near the school and the school has a big student population. Anyway, she has thought of very a strategic position on where her business is going to be at whether my hypothesis is true or not. Her business was started also because she wanted to help her husband, Manong Mendez, to earn extra money for their everyday budget. I think that reason is a very obvious one but somewhat, it appealed to me in a strange way that I guess I could trust myself easily to call her a submissive wife.

Because of her popularity to the whole student body (want a proof?: they even made UP Shirts with her face and an image of the banana cue printed in it), I was persuaded and bound by my curiosity to go to her stall sometime to buy and taste a stick of her famous banana cue. And so I did. The first time that I have gone to Manang Lisa’s corner, I was with one of my friends, Sharmaine. I could clearly remember that it was a Friday and we had just left the Red Gate Dormitory, the dorm where we first met as roommates, to go to UP because we needed to attend the TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday), a weekly activity for the members of the YFC (Youth For Christ) Organization, that is usually held at the front of the Conference Hall. It was almost five thirty in the afternoon and the sky gave a wonderful color that had a beautiful harmony of yellowish-orange, pink, and light blue which signified that the sun was already setting. I marveled at the view of the light rays of the setting sun which passed by the holes of the leaves of the strong, wide trees that resided in UP for a very long time. I was silently preoccupied by the peaceful image that I was seeing until we passed Manang Lisa’s stall. Upon passing, I smelled the foolishly delicious aroma of the recipe and I and Sharmaine were compelled to buy for it was just too hard to resist! I felt excitement because, finally, I was going to buy and taste Manang Lisa’s renowned banana cue. Upon arriving to her simple cart, I have noted a few things that I have noticed in my mind. First is the cart itself.

Manang Lisa's cart

The cart had a big umbrella on top of it to give Manang Lisa a shade. It looked somewhat “ancient”, metaphorically speaking; it looked aged and fragile that it seemed like it was going to give up anytime. It is a simple piece of plywood engineered, placed with wire, painted with white and red that has now turned to more like dirty white and faded orange and is very dusty due to it's nearness to the road. The paint was already coming off that is why besides the weak structure, you can really tell by its color that it was old; but behind the appearance of Manang Lisa’s cart, you cannot deny the fact that it was strong enough to withstand the heat of the fire whenever she cooks and that it has served many generations of UPians that have tasted her banana cue. I smiled at the thought that the cart was like Manang Lisa--strong and hardworking. I have also recognized the junk foods, candies, and softdrinks that the cart contained; in that moment, I have found out that Manang Lisa does not only sell banana cue but also other foods. The next thing that I have noticed was Manang Lisa’s style of cooking.

This is where Manang Lisa cooks and does her magic. (front side of the cart)

side view

When we approached Manang Lisa’s cart she had just began to cook. I was bored then so I just observed how she cooks. I watched her as she pre heated the oil that almost occupied the whole of the pan and put the pre peeled bananas that was placed in a black pail as it waited for the oil to be ready. Manang Lisa managed her time wisely and while waiting for the bananas to cook, she peeled another batch. I looked closely as the image of the banana has changed. It was not a banana, rather, a camote! Another discovery—she also sells camote cue! Because the oil was already pre heated, it did not take long for the banana cue to cook. Leaving her camote-peeling unfinished, Manang Lisa sprinkled sugar to the bananas evenly and began to stir. After awhile, the sugar had already caramelized. Manang Lisa sprinkled sugar to the bananas again and stirred and tossed the bananas gently with her spatula once more to evenly distribute the sugar coating. After all the stirring and tossing, when the bananas were evenly coated, Manang Lisa gave the Banana cue a minute to cool down and after, pierced the sides from one banana to another by a barbecue stick and set it to the waiting stainless steel tray that she has. She repeats the process again and in no time, there were enough to be given to her waiting costumers. The next thing I have noticed was the crowd. While we waited, I noticed the first two girls that waited patiently for their order. As Manang Lisa’s banana cue’s aroma filled the area and fluttered to the air, it began to attract other customers. Little by little, the crowd got thicker and thicker, each one wanting and waiting for their own share of banana cue. I noted that most of the customers were from UP, specifically freshmen.

After almost twenty-five years of working at her small business, Manang Lisa still remains to serve with a warm and pleasant smile on her lips; that is why she really deserves to prosper and succeed. In the span of those twenty five years, she had been a great inspiration and role model to the UPians. She had been the symbol which always reminds that in hardwork, you can achieve your goals so never ever give up. That is why, she deserves that her goods be bought. Why buy Manang Lisa’s banana cue? Let me give you three reasons: first, it is a Filipino food—we need to patronize what is truly ours; second, it is delicious—who can ever say no to an epic banana cue made by the legendary Manang Lisa?; thirdly, it is cheap! It only costs ten pesos per stick, and it’s the least we could do to help her and her family.

A shot taken before the interview: Me with Manang Lisa (10/12/11)

Manang Lisa’s story is one inspiring reason why foods that are sold in the side of the streets—or street food for short—is important for us, Filipinos. Through the years, we have known the street food, liked it—loved it—and made it a habit, a way of bonding with each other, etc. That is why it is not really surprising that we have already unconsciously made it a part of our culture. It is also the thing that completes school life. Have you ever thought about this: “What if I had never experienced buying this kind of food…will my life at school be complete?” Indeed, would our lives feel complete? It would seem odd that everybody had already tried but you. It makes sense, right? After all, street food has made its way to our culture already, so why fight it? It is a great diversity from other countries that we have these delectable street foods. Again, why fight it? After all, it makes life seem much more worthwhile. :)