Makers of “pusô” (rice in heart-shaped casing) in Barangay Pasil and Barangay Subâ in Cebu City are thankful a hundred fold to the Christmas holidays as these provide bright opportunities to earn double, or triple, because of the multiple Christmas parties happening this time of the year. 

As Filipinos have the predilection for spending on food lavishly on Christmas parties or gatherings, orders for “pusô” come in volumes.

And as Cebuanos grew up to the ubiquitous “pusô" that is attached to the local food culture and heritage, perfect pair to “lechon” (roast pig), it completes the array of party foods. 

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak chanced upon one of avid customers who traveled to Barangay Subâ to buy over a hundred pieces of "pusô" for their office get-together.

Weavers of "pusô" casing using coconut fronds line up the roadside displaying their skills and wares. It is not a surprise that in each household, there is one who is skilled at cooking "pusô."

Rowena Tulod, 51 years old, said she learned making "pusô" from her parents-in-law in the 1990s. Making "pusô" since then has become her main source of income, which helped fund her two children’s college education.

On regular days, she sells seven sacks of "pusô." Each sack can carry about 700 pieces. Each piece is sold at P6 to P7.

Days to Christmas and during the holidays, the orders soar, which is taken as a "happy problem" because the demand promises double-to-triple income.

Benefits of "pusô"-making trickle down to Rowena’s neighbors who carry the task of stripping the fronds, or separating the leaves from the coconut midribs.

The leaves are woven to hold the rice.

Walter Fuentes, a weaver, said he embarked on the craft when he was just 15 years old. Now he is already 46 years old, a pro in the trade.

Walter said he exhibited a keen interest in weaving "pusô" casing as a means to earn lunch money. Little did he know it would be a means to sustain him for life.

As Walter is adept at weaving in over three decades, the task becomes a breeze.

For every 100 pieces of casing, he earns P20.

The demand continues to peak in February because of other big events in Cebu City such as the Sinulog Festival, Chinese New Year, and Valentine’s Day; a series of opportunities woven into their life so they too can enjoy the season in being able to earn and provide for their family.