Beyond the Salcedo girl trend: A mother’s Saturday staples at the weekend market

On Saturday mornings, Salcedo Village takes on a different atmosphere. Families and groups of friends arrive earlier than usual at Jaime Velasquez Park to browse the wide selection of food, flowers, and stalls showcasing a variety of cuisines, from Filipino kakanin to fresh Mediterranean dips.

In the middle of 2024, the Salcedo Weekend Market became a must-visit destination across social media platforms. The term “Salcedo girls” emerged, referring to women all dressed and dolled up for their morning stroll in the area, often seen holding fresh bouquets of flowers from the market. 

The archetype became another part of the market’s evolving culture and identity. As more content fills TikTok and Instagram feeds, snapshots from the weekend market have helped Salcedo Village reach a bigger audience.

The Salcedo Weekend Market didn’t start as the trendy destination it is today. It had only 14 stalls at the time. The market was first envisioned by Trickie Lopa and Lisa Periquet, alongside its proponent, former Barangay Bel-Air Chair Constancia “Nene” Lichaucho.

Velasquez Park inside the village was not recognized as a park for people to explore and enjoy; it served more as a parking lot.

With the market’s establishment in 2004, the once-reserved neighborhood evolved into a destination that brings visitors, longtime residents, vendors, and businesses together every weekend.

For Emma Panajon, a Salcedo Village resident for 14 years, the change has been quite evident.

“Salcedo Village has shifted from a quiet residential area into a trendy, lively destination,” Panajon said. Aside from bringing in more visitors and business, she observed that the market has also seen larger crowds, more traffic, and increased commercialization.

Despite these changes, Panajon sees the growing Salcedo crowd as a positive development. The market has created a lively community that brings people together.

The identity of the market is also evolving through social media platforms. “It has turned Salcedo Village into more of a foodie destination,” she says, referring to the variety of cuisines and food options available, as well as the viral “Salcedo girls” who contribute to the hype surrounding the market’s atmosphere.

Along with the growing demand for the market come challenges for longtime residents. Panajon has witnessed how the crowded market brings traffic, noise, and limited parking. “The rerouting of roads can also be confusing, especially for people who are not familiar with the area,” she added.

These disadvantages have become part of Salcedo’s evolution. The same spotlight that put the village on the map has also altered the quiet landscape that residents knew.

“It’s nice to see the area becoming a vibrant community, but I hope it can grow while still preserving the peaceful and welcoming character of the neighborhood,” Panajon said.

For Panajon, the Salcedo market has become more than just a weekend destination; it is also an essential stop for the family’s food finds.

Her usual purchases include fresh vegetables and ingredients for cooking, alongside her children’s favorites: mochi ice cream, Japanese pancakes, and steamed white corn.

While Panajon stocks up on bottled products from Connie’s Kitchen, she also mentions her love for kakanin like suman, pinipig, and bibingka from different provinces in the Philippines. These purchases have made visits to the weekend market a thoughtful routine shared with the people around her.

For her children’s packed meals, Panajon mentions Joy’s Ham, which sells traditional holiday ham that feels like Christmas. She and her husband also share a love for Benedicto Kitchen’s roast beef.

With the market having a waiting list for stall spaces, new vendors appear once in a while. Panajon recently started purchasing from Chickcharron, which began selling at the market this August. “It’s the best yummy and crunchy chicken skin!” she said.

There are also vendors that become regular stops for residents like Panajon. A stall that sells ginataang kuhol is one of them. “The manang (seller) from the booth will actually text me whenever they’re available, which I really appreciate,” she added.

Panajon’s weekend market haul extends beyond Saturday mornings, with some products becoming staples in her kitchen. These include Spanish chorizo for tapas nights and dips such as hummus, moutabal, and roasted beets.

“Everything they offer is so good,” she said, referring to offerings ranging from hotdog sandwiches and rice meals to lechon and steak rice. Dishes from across the world come together in one friendly weekend market. Panajon alternates between familiar family favorites and products that offer something new for her circle to try.

Beyond the trendy culture that Salcedo Weekend Market embodies for visitors, it is a place for families and residents to shop, eat, roam around, and connect with the community.

After more than a decade in Salcedo Village, Panajon recognizes the pros and cons of the market’s popularity. The challenge for the village may be finding a way to sustain its lively atmosphere while preserving the sense of comfort that longtime residents have always enjoyed.