UNSEASONED SEASON: EXPLORING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF

CARINDERIA OWNERS IN THE MIDST OF ECONOMIC CRISES

A Research Study Submitted to the Faculty of

The Bago City College
BAGO CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

to the Subject
Research in Social Studies

Canaway, Patrick Henry D.

Castillo, Julienne J.
Cocjin, Katrina B.
Gan, Keil Ezon H.
Jito, Jezzryl M.

BSED SOCIAL STUDIES 3

MAY 2023

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The researchers would like to convey their sincerest gratitude and appreciation to

all those who have generously helped make this research’s writing possible. Utmost

gratitude is extended to the following individuals:

We show our deepest gratitude to our Almighty God who provided everything

that we needed physically, emotionally, financially, and intellectually for the completion

of the whole research paper. The journey was never easy but with His guidance, we could

be able to conquer it. To Him is the glory now and forever!

We appreciate the School Administrators of this great institution, Deborah

Nathalia E. Singson, Ph.D. – College President, Remedios E. Alvarez EdD PhD., -

College of Education Department Head for obeying the leading of God and birthing and

nurturing the vision of this great institution.

Our appreciation also goes to the faculty members of Bago City College - all of

whom we interacted with and who have helped us during the entire duration of the study.

We would also like to thank our research adviser, Mr. Roger D. Raymundo, PhD.,

who has been our primary guide and supporter throughout the whole research process. He

had taught us to not give up and put God in the center of everything. He has inspired us to

become better individuals not just as a student but also as a person.

To our respondents, for giving their time and utmost effort in helping us to fulfill

the objectives of this study. We thank you because, despite the business, you could find

time to cater to our demands.

Our utmost regard as well to our very supportive and loving parents who have

painstakingly laid the foundation for our education. They have provided everything that

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we need in the ways that they can. They have given us the support that we needed

emotionally and lifted us every time we feel down. They have been with us since the very

beginning, and we are very grateful to them.

Lastly, we also thank from the depth of our hearts our classmates- Bachelor of

Secondary Education – Major in Social Studies 3-A, who have supported and given us

the motivation to continue. They have to bear the burden with it in every moment that we

have taken.

May our Almighty God bless us a hundredfold and guide us in every path that we

will take. To God be the Glory.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iv
LIST OF TABLES vii
LIST OF FIGURES viii
LIST OF APPENDICES ix
ABSTRACT x
INTRODUCTION 1

Background of Study 1
Statement of the Problem 2
Scope and Limitations 3
Significance of Study 3
Definition of Terms 4
Review of Related Literature 6
Economic Crises: Weathering the Economic Storm 6
Inflation: When the Cost of Living Outpaces the Ability to Keep Up 7
Unmasking the Reality of the Pandemic: A New Era of Resilience 9
and Adaptation
Surviving the Storm: The Experiences of Carinderia Owners During 12
the Pandemic and Inflation
Surviving the Double Whammy: Carinderia Owners Facing the Dual 14
Challenge of Decreased Sales and Increased Inflation
Surviving the Heat of the Kitchen: The Creative Coping Strategies of 17
Carinderia Owners
A Spoonful of Support: Government and Non-Government Organizations 17
in Providing Assistance to Carinderia Owners
The Future of Carinderias: Analyzing the Long-term Effects of the 19
Pandemic and Inflation on Small Businesses

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 Syntheses 20
The Spices of Life: Exploring the Resilience and Creativity and Creativity 20
of Carinderia Owners Amidst Economic Adversity
Theoretical Framework 21

METHODOLOGY 26

Research Design 26
Participants of Study 26
Data Gathering Instrument 27
Validity of the Instrument 28
Data Gathering Instrument 28
Data Gathering Procedure 28
Data Analysis 29
Philosophical Assumptions 31
Trustworthiness of Study 33
Ethical Consideration 33

RESULT AND DISCUSSION 35

Demographic Profile of the Respondents 35

Thematic Insights 39
Small Entrepreneurs’, Big Burden: Emotional Journey of Carinderia 39
Owners during the Pandemic and Inflation
Fostering Customer Loyalty in Certain Times 66
The Dilemma in Economic Bonds: Building Trust and Resilience 78
with Suppliers
Government Support in Small Businesses & Recommendations 94
for Improvements
Adapt and Survive: Coping Strategies for Business Success 110
Summary of Findings 126
Conclusions 127

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 Recommendations 128
References 130

APPENDICES 142
CURRICULUMN VITAE 184

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Page

1. How Carinderia Owners harnessed Emotional Resilience and 29

Positive Mindset during the Pandemic and Inflation

2. Making Customer Connections: Importance of Securing Customer 78

Loyalty and Retention in Times of Uncertainty

3. Differentiated Impacts of Economic Crises in the Business Negotiations 94

And Relation of Carinderia Owners with their Suppliers

4. The Effectiveness of Distribution and Utilization of Government 109

Assistance during Economic Crises of Recommendation for Improvements

5. Changes Made to Menu Offerings, Marketing and Promotion Strategies 125

to Adapt in the Changing Needs of Customer during the Inflation and
Pandemic

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Page

1. The Phases of Thematic Analysis. Adapted from Braun and Clarke (2006) 30

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 LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix Page

A. Letter to the Participants 143

B. Research Instrument Evaluation Forms 144

C. Research Validity Instrument Sheet 147

D. Thematic Diagram 148

E. Non-Disclosure Agreement 149

F. Respondents’ Waiver of Consent 150

G. Research Interview Guide Questions 153

H. Transcription of Responses 155

ABSTRACT

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This study aimed to explore the experiences of carinderia owners amidst an economic
crises. The research was conducted in Bago City, Negros Occidental, specifically in
carinderias near Ramon Torres National High School and Bago City College, during the
academic year 2022-2023. The study utilized a qualitative descriptive analysis approach
and employed purposive sampling to select six (6) participants who had been operating
their carinderias for at least four (4) years and had a daily customer capacity of fifty (50)
or more. Data was collected through a self-made interview questionnaire that was
validated by three research experts, with a total validity index of 96%. Thematic analysis
was used to analyze the data, resulting in the identification of five main themes: the
emotional journey, building trust with suppliers, government support for small
businesses, fostering customer loyalty in uncertain times, and coping strategies employed
by carinderia owners to achieve business success. The findings revealed that carinderia
owners faced numerous challenges, including rising prices due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Despite these challenges, they also identified potential interventions such as
implementing sustainable prices without compromising the quality of their food to keep
their business afloat during these unprecedented times. The emotional journey of the
carinderia owners was also identified as a significant factor, as they experienced anxiety,
stress, and uncertainty during the economic crises. Furthermore, building trust with
suppliers was found to be crucial in securing high-quality ingredients at a reasonable
price. Participants also expressed a need for government support for small businesses,
including financial assistance and fairness of aid distribution, to help them survive during
an economic crises. In conclusion, the study highlights the challenges and coping
strategies of carinderia owners during an economic crises. The findings may provide
insights for policymakers and small business owners to help them navigate similar
situations.