Kaunlad Pinoy (#133) kicked off its Mindanao leg not with a motorcade or a big rally, but with a heartfelt walk through the heart of Kidapawan City’s wet market.

Partylist first nominee Kuya Choi spent his morning on foot, stopping by stalls, chatting with vendors, and checking prices himself. From the rising cost of dried fish to delays in supply deliveries, he got a firsthand look — and earful — of what market vendors are going through.

“This isn’t about looking good for the cameras,” Kuya Choi told marketgoers during a spontaneous chat. “We’re here to check in on you — to really listen to how tough it is to make a living right now.”

Vendor after vendor shared their challenges — some with a sigh, others with a shake of the head. Kuya Choi listened, took notes and offered a few encouraging words in return. At one stall, he helped weigh vegetables; at another, he asked about transportation costs and how they’re driving up prices.

The visit, though casual and low-key, is part of Kaunlad Pinoy’s broader push to connect with micro-entrepreneurs and advocate for local economic growth.

“Kidapawan, Davao, GenSan — these aren’t just footnotes to Metro Manila’s story,” Kuya Choi said. “They’re centers of potential. But we need to make sure small businesses, like the ones here in this market, get the support they deserve.”

With boots on the ground and ears wide open, Kuya Choi’s message was clear: real change starts with real conversations — and those often happen in places like the palengke.