(PIA) -- A big bowl of steaming and savory Abra miki is usually served at the Triple R Panciteria along the road in San Gregorio  in La Paz, Abra. Like this small noodle place, panciterias or pansitan are common in the different municipalities of the province.

Although an Abrenian staple,  the small eateries are still recovering from the effects of years of pandemic lockdown and restriction.

A Taste of Home

Noodle dishes are common in the different parts of the country with their own regional or provincial variations and flavors.

For Abrenians, a taste of home comes in a hot bowl of miki noodles, pork stock, annatto powder, boiled egg, pork jowls (rorog), intestines, and other extra meaty goodness.

Triple R Panciteria owner Lilibeth Bisacarra-Sudela shared that their Abra miki is different from other noodle dishes because of its flavor that comes from pork jowls and deep fried pork intestines.

“Syempre naimas diay pansit mi ngamin ta syempre adu ti rorog na. Isu ti mangpananam ngamin nga maysa ken dagijay bag-bagis ti baboy. Diay dadduma nga pancit ket haan nga nasabaw ti pancit diay dadduma probinsia,” explained Sudela.

Post Pandemic Woes

Despite being an all-time favorite, Abra miki businesses were not spared from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sudela said that her pansitan is still recovering from the losses during the pandemic.

“Medyo nangrugi idi pandemic ket kasla adu ti kimmapsutan na. Bassit tatta ti income,” she said.

She  shared she was able to increase her sales during festivals and other events,  but  social gatherings were prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Idi kapigsaan na makalaku kami, idi lal-lalo na nu kasdiay ada events kasla kuman ti Piyesta ti Natay ket makalako kami met ti umabot 50 ta agmal-malem gamin,” Sudela said.

 her pansitan which started in 2017 was also able to help her family save up and buy assets during the pre-pandemic time.

“Adda met naipunpundar mi panggep datuy pancitan lalo na idi dam-damo nga years. Nakapaaramid kami ti sarili mi nga balay tapos nakasalsalda kami ti tal-talon ken motor,” she shared.

Economic Recovery

Since the pandemic, the government, through different departments and offices have been distributing assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises to help them bounce back.

Just like small business owners in the province, Sudela said that her pansitan is just starting to recover especially with the lifting of restriction and festivals and other social gatherings making a comeback.

“Medyo agrec-recover metten ta umad-adu metten ti manganen,” she shared.

On 23 July 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19.

With a more relaxed health and safety protocols and restriction, Sudela looks towards improving her business.

“Umim-Improve kuma pay ken adda kuma pagpwestohan nga namay-mayat,” she said.(JDP/JJPM-PIA Abra)