NOT a pit stop

A while back, I had given advice to "Cristiano," regarding whether it was possible to go on road trips here. What we neglected to tackle was the topic of pit stops.

This is NOT a pit stop: 

A bus stop in Mabalacat. Which apparently is not pit stop.

In a country with plenty of fresh produce and a variety of cuisine often dictated by the unique characteristics of the different regions, these stops sell food-like substances, bastardized versions of real food, hegemonic fare, or strange ítems that fall under two or more of the abovementioned categories. Look into the picture and you may be able to identify biscuits, chips both local and international, hotdogs,"chicharon," cup noodles, siopao in a non-steaming steamer,and soda. I tried the siopao which came out of the so-called steamer room temperature. The dough was tough and papery and the "asado" filling inside looked like the the cross-section of a used sanitary pad. Gross! 

You know how travel snobs like to say that unless you are eating what the locals are eating, you're a tourist and not a real traveller? Well, locals hang out here. And eat here. But I don't really suggest you do the same.