Bassir Masukat, 42, a Bangsamoro entrepreneur, smiles as he offers his in-demand buko juice.
Over the past few months, scorching heat has been experienced nationwide as the summer season begins. Staying hydrated and enjoying one’s favorite refreshments is top-notch, especially when the sun is at its peak.
One of the most popular refreshments in the Philippines is the ‘buko juice’, a local term that refers to coconut water visible in almost every kanto—a street corner.
Bassir Masukat, 42, a Bangsamoro vendor in Cotabato City, earns his living by selling buko juice.
He and his wife realized a potential income from selling the healthful juice, which later made them decide to open the business—a significant source of their everyday living.
Masukat stressed that since they began selling, they, fortunately, need not fret about serving food on the table and supporting his children’s educational and financial needs.
“Su kabendagang a Alhamdulillah ka subla-subla i pakadtabang nin sa kabegkan, endu su baon na mga wata nami a di galiduan bangilay,” he stated.
[Alhamdulillah, selling buko juice helps a lot in providing food, and we do not even worry about our children’s day-to-day school allowance.]
He shared that a total of 20 liters of raw and fresh coconut water from Parang, Maguindanao del Norte are delivered to them daily.
The vendor also observed that with the consumption of his customers and family members of the rich-in-nutrition drinks, they remain fit and are less likely to get sick.
“Nya ba kasi bendagangen nami a da mamis nin, kaya di malmu gagutem i pamilya ku,” he highlighted.
[We sell raw juice with no preservatives, making my family not easily hungry.]
Shiela Bai Wahab, Masukat’s wife, serves fresh and nutritious buko juice for their customer.
Healthful benefits
According to research, coconuts, especially their oil, contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that increase satiety—a feeling of fullness—making a person reduce food intake.
Studies show that coconut oil’s high MCTs, a kind of saturated fat, help burn calories.
They are also pro-hearth heath, for low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as bad ones, cholesterol levels may be lowered and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels may be increased, promoting the health of the heart.
Furthermore, coconuts are good for the skin and hair and are good sources of antioxidants, great for getting rid of various diseases and health risks.
In March 2024, Cotabato City recorded the highest heat index in the entire country at 43°C. Because of this alarming condition, the Bangsamoro Government released on April 29 the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) Proclamation No. 002 s. 2024, declaring a State of Calamity in the region due to the harsh effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the extraordinary warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in extreme droughts or dry spells.
According to the Proclamation, the declaration will help the affected communities in the autonomous region and expedite significant interventions of the interim government, involving response operations and recovery efforts.
Despite various governmental efforts, finding ways to stay hydrated during tough times is important for facing the heat boldly.
That is why, the Bangsamoro entrepreneur further wishes buko juice drinkers would proactively combat intense heat at their own expense.
Science indicates that prolonged exposure to solar radiation can result in undesirable outcomes like skin diseases and heat stroke.
Masukat discusses his and his spouse’s plan to open an additional branch for their buko juice business to improve the quality of their lives.
Business expansion
Masukat was glad to share that aside from not experiencing hunger because of his business, he also caters to regular customers, mostly motorcycle drivers and students.
He has been hopeful of having an additional branch in the city, specifically in a strategic location in Cotabato City where customers can easily drop by.
“Nya nami planu samaya a makombal kami sa bagu a pwestu,” said Masukat.
[Our initial plan now is to open another branch of this business.]
If you happen to be passing the highway of Tamontaka, try to get a drink of buko juice from Bassir’s store to quench your thirst. You can find it at Datu Balabaran Street, Mother Barangay Tamontaka, Cotabato City (beside Headstart College of Cotabato-Tamontaka Campus).
Throughout this summer season, it is essential to stay healthy while fending off the harmful effects of solar radiation. Staying consistently hydrated is definitely a must. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
