BLOG 37: Market Day: Strolling Around the Carbon Market

The carbon market provides a unique experience that combines economic opportunity with environmental responsibility. You'll notice the growing integration of business and environmental health as you stroll through this bustling marketplace. The market offers a range of products that emphasize sustainability in addition to these eco-friendly initiatives, such as locally sourced food and products that support moral behavior. It serves as an uplifting reminder that business and environmental protection can coexist, creating a future where the economy and nature prosper in harmony.

Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of the blog this week. Today, I’m going to share my insights as we strolled around the Carbon Market last Saturday. Keep reading!

February 1, 2025, Saturday – We strolled around the Carbon Market. Some Cebuanos say that the busiest place in Cebu City is Colon Street, but for me, the busiest place is the Carbon Market. As you can see in the picture, it shows how Cebuanos are busy preparing their goods for sale. Every time I stroll through Carbon, I usually go around 7 PM or 8 PM because that’s when the stalls open. You heard it right, while some stores open during the day, the Carbon Market typically operates at night until dawn. There, you can find fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as affordable items you’ve been looking for.

As I continued to walk down Carbon Street, I saw some fresh greens, including pechay, cabbage, cucumber, onion leaves, lettuce, and many more. I decided to visit the stalls, and I was really shocked by how much the prices had increased. As I recall, every kilo of greens used to cost around 140-150 PHP, which is a significant rise. We can't blame the storekeepers for raising their prices, as I believe the trade of goods has increased. They likely had no choice but to raise the prices because they buy their goods at higher costs.

I continued to walk through Carbon Street because I was very curious about the prices of some vegetables. I came across a stall selling eggplants and asked the storekeeper how much they cost per kilo. She said it was 60 PHP. In my mind, I realized that not only the leafy greens had increased in price, but also eggplants. I remember when eggplants used to cost only 20-30 PHP per kilo, now, the price has doubled. This really reflects the inflation we’re experiencing, with goods becoming more expensive. Even though cucumbers are still relatively cheap at 35 PHP, Cebuanos aren't particularly fond of them, which is why their price has stayed the same.

I decided to visit the Carbon wet market to check if the prices of fresh chickens and processed foods had stayed the same. But I was wrong. When I asked the shopkeeper how much a kilo of whole chicken was, she said 310 PHP. Wow! That’s very expensive, especially since whole chicken used to cost around 150-180 PHP. The processed goods, however, remained the same, so I bought hotdogs as a viand for when I go to work. After almost an hour of strolling, the only thing I bought was hotdogs, as they were the most affordable option for me.

I saw a bulk of eggs at the market and checked their prices. I was relieved to see that the prices were still the same. I had expected them to increase because the price of chicken had gone up. I felt a bit relieved because I can still buy eggs, as they are quite affordable. Right now, I have no choice but to lean towards processed foods rather than healthier options, because the latter have become quite expensive. I need to balance my finances carefully before making purchases.

I decided to head home and came across a stall selling condiments, which were already pricey 140 PHP per kilo, a far from the previous prices. I was surprised because not only are vegetables, condiments, and fresh chicken prices increasing, but even rice prices have gone up. I used to buy Thai rice because it was affordable for me at 41.3 PHP per kilo. Now, the price has risen to 53 PHP per kilo. I understand that farmers work hard to harvest rice despite changing climate conditions, but as a consumer, our daily salary and grocery needs are not enough to keep up with the rising costs of living.

As I walked home, I was still in awe, and I really couldn't believe how the prices of goods have increased this year. As a Cebuano, I can't ignore the reasons behind these rising prices. For me, this is due to climate change and the wages in the city. This realization made me feel like I’m truly entering the adulting stage of my life, where these matters matter most. Before, I would just let my parents handle the groceries, but now, it’s clear that budgeting has become a top priority in everyday life.

I highly recommend visiting the Carbon Market if you’re looking for affordable goods. You’ll find many stalls offering vegetables, fruits, and various fresh products that are worth the price. However, this year, I’m still hoping that the prices of these everyday goods will return to normal so that more people can afford them.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and connect with my thoughts today. I’m excited to continue sharing my journey with you, and I hope you found something here that resonated or sparked an idea. This blog is a space for growth, inspiration, and conversation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or experiences in the comments. Feel free to share if something stood out to you. Here’s to many more stories, lessons, and moments of connection ahead! See you in the next post!