TuSokses: Kuya Bert’s Journey

No Streat trip is ever complete without Tusok-Tusok. A Filipino favorite enjoyed by students and many others, it has long been a staple in every busy corner. Since 2003, Neilbert, fondly known as Kuya Bert, has been serving these beloved skewered snacks for over two decades near DLSU’s Razon building. 

Back then, the corner where Kuya Bert now stationed his cart looked very different. Tall buildings hadn’t yet surrounded the area, except for a single apartment. While everything around him changed, he never left and has continued selling street food in the community ever since. 

With his warm smile and kind presence, Kuya Bert has become a beloved street food staple in the neighbourhood, always welcoming customers like dear friends. Before selling on his own, Kuya Bert worked for an employer, helping them sell tusok-tusok snacks. After learning to craft his own sauces and starting a family, he decided to branch out and start his own business. He started by selling fish balls, kikiam, hotdog, and other skewered treats. Soon after, he added what would become a crowd favorite—kwek kwek. 

Kuya Bert’s cart is always filled with a fresh and delicious variety of skewered snacks that never fail to hit the spot. His homemade sauces—spicy vinegar, sweet fishball sauce, and savory garlic gravy—are neatly arranged in containers, each with its own ladle, ensuring clean and precise servings every time. 

Every day at 4 am, he buys ingredients from their nearby market, making sure his goods are always fresh. “Kailangan araw araw. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-stock para araw araw bago lagi,” (“It has to be every day. I can’t stock up so that everyday it’s always fresh.”), he says. Right after, he begins preparing all the goods he’ll sell, starting with the kwek kwek since it takes the longest to prepare. By 2 pm, he stations his cart, serving customers until 9pm. Even on holidays, Kuya Bert still sells but with a limited stock, focusing on earning enough to support his family. “Controlled din siya ang paninda, konti lang. ‘Yung makakuha lang ng pang-ulam sa araw araw basta makatinda lang. Pang bigas din,” (“I control the amount of what I sell. Just enough to sustain meals for the day, as long as I make some sales. For rice, too.”), he shares. 

As the neighbourhood slowly changed, so did the vendor policies in the area. Street vendors, like Kuya Bert, once sold freely at the corner until a temporary ban was enforced when Isko became mayor. Although vendors are now allowed again, the City Hall’s new parking policies have made it harder for vendors to secure their usual spots. “Simula nung nag-Isko kasi, medyo nag bawal muna yung vendors diyan. Ngayon, pwede naman. Ang problema kasi ang pwinepwestuhan ko ay City Hall na ang nagpaparking diyan,” (“Ever since Isko took office, vendors there were temporarily banned. Now, it’s more lenient. The problem is that the spot where I used to stay is now being used by City Hall for parking.”), he explains. 

Over the years, Kuya Bert has not only sold tasty treats but has also witnessed an evolving community—one he has grown alongside. Through every change and challenge, his story reminds us that anyone can carve their own path and bring a little joy to everyday life. So next time you’re near Razon or craving street food, stop by Kuya Bert’s cart, say hello, and enjoy a fresh stick of tusok-tusok made with heart and grit.