A family of taho vendors in Antipolo City continues to fulfill their tradition of giving away free taho (sweetened soft soya curd or tofu pudding) during the Christmas season.
For the Magay Family of Barangay San Roque, the week before Christmas Day is the time to give back to their local customers for the year-round blessings that they have received.
Instead of shouting only the word “taho!”, Robert Magay announced “taho, libre lang taho libre lang!” as he carried the aluminum pail full of taho along the streets of Sitio Knights of Columbus, Pines City Royale Subdivision and Loreland in Barangay San Roque one morning.
Magay said his uncle, Jovencio, the original taho peddler who had managed to bring his children to college out of his earnings, started the Christmas tradition during his younger days.
Jovencio passed on the taho vending to his son, Jimby, and to his nephew, Robert.
Jimby was supposed to give the free cups of taho from Dec. 21 to Dec. 25, but Robert did the act as his cousin was sick.
“Taon-taon po naming ginagawa ito bilang pasasalamat sa Diyos sa pagbibigay Niya ng magandang kalusugan sa aming pamilya at sa mga customer namin na tumatangkilik sa amin (We have been doing this every year as our way of thanking the Lord for giving our family good health, and to our loyal customers for supporting us all throughout),” Robert said.
Several kids rushed to the vendor when they heard Robert’s voice offering free taho from the Magay Family.
Since Dec. 21, more than six pails full of taho have been distributed for free by the Magays.
Taho is a by-product of cooked ground soya beans, which is served with caramel syrup and tapioca pearls. It is a favorite street food of kids and adults alike in the country.