When we were young, my mom, who frequented going to Davao for some seminar or meeting with other women in our denomination, used to take home Durian Candies. I never liked the fruit because of its offensive smell but when they turned it into a candy it transformed into something I really liked. I remember eating a lot of these to the point that I already feel my throat getting sore before drinking water.
Durian is a fruit that looks like jackfruit and Marang on the outside. I am no expert in differentiating them except by order of distaste for their smell, Durian is top, Marang is next and Jackfruit is the safest. Jackfruit is also the one I’d prefer eating over the three.
I am not sure if the local airlines already allow this fruit (the durian) onboard. I am sure though that some hotels do not allow it inside their rooms.
I do not eat chocolates. I mean, growing up, we were not allowed to eat too much. So I just got used to not really craving for chocolates. For these durian candies, though, my mom would always bring home a lot – for relatives, for friends, for neighbors, for our household’s consumption and then there were extras. These extras, she told us, we can sell to our classmates.
Why not, right? Not everyone then had access to Davao goodies so why not take that chance. It is probably my mom's gauge of whether we can be trusted with money or some sort. Or was it a practice at computing? I am not sure why my mom allowed us now that I try to think about it.
Just a disclaimer, this is way back before 2015s and 2016s when the candies were banned for having poison of some sort. Again, emphasis on before.
So I and my brother took it to school. My mom had an inventory of how much each of us brought to school. I really cannot remember how I started selling. All I know is once I opened the box, classmates started to ask and they buy – when I tell them they are for sale. Some teachers also got curious and were also flocking in to take a look at the product.
I brought durian tarts, durian sticks, durian yema, durian candy blocks, durian bars, etcetera. Name it! The least favorite were the ube-flavored ones. The best-sellers were the tiny candies as they can get away with eating it during class. They only pop it in and let it melt. The least sold were the bars. At some point, the siblings of my classmates come to visit to buy some even. So I thought I was doing good, right?
Even when it is time to go home people come and buy.
After I finished my homework for the day, my mom sat us down. My brother was first to give an accounting to how much he sold and mom computes it with how much money my brother presented at the table.
When it was my turn, my mom counted the items that were left. We went through it by product. So my mom counted the money, checked on the inventory list she has against the number of items I have left.
Then she started asking me questions. Questions she never asked my brother.
She goes, "So we have 30 pieces of durian bars to start for 2 pesos each. You have fifteen (15) pieces left so that means you sold 15. Which means you should have thirty pesos. But we only have twenty four pesos. What happened to the three bars then?"
I started to recall the events of the day. Then I realized, "Oh, I ate them," I said. Then thinking quickly, I also added "No worries I will pay for them." Even though I do not know where I will be getting money from.
Then we went to the other products with almost similar questions. And I have the same answer. The closing inventory for the night ended up with my mom scratching her head and laughing. And me computing how much I owe our simple business.
After that, my mom never let me sell again. To this day, my mom and my brother remembers it.
That ladies and gentlemen is when I realized, selling is not my forte. Eating is.
Yup. Eating.
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Hahahaha. But durian products are really delicious even their jams. When I was a kid, I also hated the smell of durian. Our relative from Zamboanga who visited us for the first time brought home the fruit. Oh, by the way, yes airlines now allow durian fruit as long as it has been opened, packed and sealed properly to keep off that strong smell. I brought home 4 microwaveable containers when I went to Zamboanga 2 years ago.
Going back, whenever I would open our refrigerator, I have to have my handkerchief worn as a mask so I cannot smell it but of course it was too strong that even with handkerchief, I could still smell it.
But my first favorite was the durian candies. It was what I would request from my dad whenever he had meetings in Davao. Then he would buy all the durian products. The last brand that he bought was from Lola Abon and it was really good. Then when I was already in high school or college, I think it was the time that I have enjoyed eating the fruit itself. 😋