Manang Lisa’s banana cue is a favorite merienda of students in the University of the Philippines Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/APPLE TA-AS)
For 29 years, Criza Liza Gonzales Mendez, 58, has filled the hungry stomachs of students and alumni of the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) with her affordable banana and camote cue.
A mother figure to everyone, she is fondly called Manang Lisa by students and faculty who pass by.
Sometimes alumni members drive by just to taste her snacks.
“Sometimes, a car will park near my stand and I’m asked to sell my banana cue. That’s how they miss me and my camote cue.
I’m just happy that one of the students who knew me made it through college,” she said in Cebuano.
For Bernadeth Rosales, UP Cebu alumna, Manang Lisa is like a second mother to many students as she listens to them when they celebrate a good day or blow off steam after a bad day.
“Manang Lisa is no ordinary banana cue vendor. She knows the teachers and who are the ones who fail students. She lends an ear to those students who have problems as well,” she said in Cebuano.
Manang Lisa with the help of her husband, Anicito Mendez, the university’s janitor, started their merienda business in 1986, a few months after they got married. They started with a table and a portable stove.
Manang Lisa said she wanted to augment the family’s income. That and the location of the school, which was near their house, clinched the decision for her.
“I’m happy that the school and the dean allowed me to sell merienda here. They wanted to help me and my husband,” said in Cebuano.
The modest stand can earn them P1,000 to P3,000 on a good day.
With this, Manang Lisa and her husband were able to raise four children and send three to college.
His eldest Marchel, 35, was able to graduate from University of Cebu (UC) with a degree in commerce.
Jomie, 34, finished a degree in social work at the Southwestern University.
Asia May, 25, earned her degree at the University of Cebu where their youngest sibling, Cris Ian, 17, is an education student.
Asked what was her secret in keeping a loyal clientele of students and customers, she said she pours love into cooking her banana and camote snacks, and gives them her quality attention.
“Depende ra man pagdala sa customer, tarongon nimo sila og pagtagad (It depends on how you handle a customer. Treat them well),” she said.