Isaw na lang, Dear... a study on Filipino street foods

• Main Authors: Salceda, Cheryl Ferrer, Escueta, Carisse Penabella, Tablante, Fontanilla
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1998
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/16547
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper is a sociological study on the Filipino street foods. The most popular variety of street foods which is animal entrails were examined according to their name, method of cooking and taste. Through the in-depth interview with the informants who were vendors of street foods, common themes and patterns were determined. Such themes are linked to the Filipino identity and culture that the society shares. One of the themes that were developed out of the drawn responses from the informants was the problem on internal migration. People from the province come to the city despite their lack of skills or education, thus worsening the condition of mass population in Metro Manila. The second theme, the uncertainty of the vendors in their business was established by the factors that make them a part of the informal sector of the economy. For this reason, they lack knowledge on the proper handling of food and they do not have protection of rights from the government as workers, since their activities are not monitored. Street foods as an economic phenomenon is another theme developed when it was proven that the so-called "survival meals" were invented to fill the need at times of poverty. This kind of business was found not only convenient for those who lack time to cook, but also an economic phenomenon that flourishes during the hard times. The major concerns in the business, being competition and job satisfaction was a theme that did not pose a problem among the vendors. Their main concern is to simply have a means of earning income that will support their families. Lastly, the activities involved in the business, business relationships and importance of work ethics were the determinants of the division of labor in a family enterprise, rapport among customers and value for dignity in work. These themes were found to be common among the vendors, most especially the dignity for their work, wherein they defined the importance of their pride over the amount of income. A quick survey was done over a sample of thirty street food eaters to determine their perception and knowledge of street foods. The major influences that drove these people to try and eat street foods were mostly their parents or any relative. This is an indication that eating street foods is a learned and shared behavior among Filipinos, especially the masses.