It all began with a joyful rendezvous on a day filled with laughter. We were indulging in hot wings and chicken nuggets, accompanied by fizzy Coke, making our time together even more enjoyable. We were blissfully unaware of the waste we were creating until Sahana, my companion for the day, suddenly found a feather in her chicken wings. Disgusted, she abruptly stood up and dumped the food into the trash. I was puzzled by her reaction until she explained her discovery.
That’s when our conversation took a turn, and the topic of the residents of Happy Land in Manila, Philippines, came up—people who survive by consuming recycled, scavenged meat, known as “PAGPAG,” which translates to "shake off the dust." Due to inflation and poor living standards, they are unable to afford a simple, healthy meal. This forces them to scavenge meat from the leftovers found in trash bins. Some people collect waste from fast-food chains, sorting and cleaning the partially eaten food. They strip the meat from the remnants, sometimes even finding untouched pieces, which they consider a rare feast. The meat is then recooked into stews or fried with flour.
The people of Manila’s slums are aware of their food’s origins, yet they are unfazed. For them, this scavenged food is simply a means of survival, and they do not feel as though they are eating someone’s leftovers. The food destined for landfills instead becomes their sustenance, despite the risk of exposure to bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms. Even though they are aware of these dangers, they do not hesitate. When asked about their food, they speak of its deliciousness and how it has helped them endure the hardships of life in Happy Land.
Residents of Happy Land are vulnerable to diseases like diarrhea, hepatitis, and various infections due to the consumption of unsafe food. Yet, they continue to eat it because, for them, survival outweighs the risks. In their world, food is food, regardless of its origin. The harsh reality of their circumstances leaves them with no choice but to eat unsafe food or go hungry. The recycled, scavenged meat—what the world might call "waste"—is their lifeline. The irony is glaring while people like Sahana and I can afford to throw away food over a minor inconvenience, in another part of the world, people are fighting over scraps just to survive.
As I watched Sahana toss our untouched food into the trash, the image of Happy Land’s residents flashed in my mind. The stark contrast between our careless disposal of perfectly decent food and the desperate needs of those living in poverty hit me hard. I felt a deep sense of guilt and helplessness. It was a sobering reminder of the privilege we often take for granted and the wasteful habits we have adopted without a second thought.
The food we discard without thinking could be a feast for someone else. In India, too, millions go to bed hungry every night, while others pile their plates high only to leave food uneaten. The culture of abundance and the lack of awareness about the value of food lead to this mindless wastage. It is a powerful reminder of the growing divide between the haves and the have-nots.
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