Deo Jarito Balbuena , the man behind the “Diwata Pares” street food stall that has captured the attention of Filipinos on social media, was in shambles Wednesday when people from the Pasay City Business Permit and Licensing Office arrived at his food stall and handed him a paper indicating a notice of closure order for his business.
Pares is a serving of Filipino braised beef stew with garlic fried rice, and a bowl of clear soup, which is often sold on the side of the streets.
This unexpected visit visibly stressed the business owner, as it entailed looking for a proper location for his stall where he and other street vendors like him would not have to be forced to relocate.
In a video posted on his Facebook page dedicated to promotional updates, Diwata Pares addressed the issue and recounted what happened when employees from Pasay City Hall paid him a visit on Wednesday afternoon.
“Kahapon nabigla ako. Kapag hindi pa raw nag comply, isasara raw tindahan ko [Yesterday, I was shocked. They said that if I did not comply, my food stall would be closed down.]”
“Baka raw mababaan tayo ng closure order ‘pag hindi tayo nakapag comply. ‘E matagal na akong nag co-comply kasi ilang beses na akong pinuntahan dito. [There is a possibility that I would be issued a closure order if we did not comply. But I have been complying for a long time because they visited me countless times already.]”
According to Diwata Pares, he is already in the process of having his permits approved and is already in contact with Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano who is actively helping him with the process of permits. Diwata Pares also stated that the Pasay City Mayor is also helping vendors like him to find a suitable place where they could freely sell their products but made sure that permits are needed for compliance.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sainyo kasi yung binigay mo sa ‘king two months na palugit para ayusin ko lahat ng kailangan (permits).” [I am thankful for you (Mayor Emi) because you gave me two months of extension so I could fix every permit that is needed.]
Diwata Pares is feeling positive with this new hope knowing that the Mayor of Pasay City herself is helping him.
“So ngayon po, walang closure na mangyayari. Tuloy pa rin po ang Diwata Pares, thank you so much. Tuloy pa rin ang laban [So as of now, there is no closure happening. Diwata Pares is still in operation, thank you so much. The fight continues.]”
He also responded to bashers, asserting firmly that his product is clean, stating, “Alam mo hindi madumi ang pagkain ko. Nakikita ng tao yan. Alam mo ang madumi? Mga ugali n’yo. ‘Yun ang marumi. linisin n’yo yan [You know, my food isn’t dirty. People can see that. Do you know what’s dirty? Your behavior. That’s what’s dirty. Clean that up.]”
@artgel04 Diwata nagsalita na sa mga basher. Na realtalk na! Na highblood si diwata #diwata #diwatapares #diwataparesoverload #basher ♬ original sound – Art TV shop
“Gusto ko lang makaahon sa kahirapan. Gumagawa ako ng tama. Lumalaban ako nang patas. [I just to have a more comfortable life. I am doing what is right. I am fighting fairly],” he added.
As of now the famous Pares stand is still in operation as usual.
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