Methodology of Study

This chapter covers a discussion on the research methodology and procedures used by

the researchers. This comprises the research design, sampling plan, data collection, research

instrument, data gathering procedure, and method of data analysis.

Research Design

This study made use of the qualitative research with general interview guide approach.

It is the fundamental instrument used in gathering the necessary data from the awareness of

the respondents. Qualitative research is a method used to collect information and is very

helpful and simple in gathering all the data needed.

Sampling Plan

The respondents of the study are composed of private and public sector. Since the

population is very big, researchers decided to randomly interview the respondents coming from

the both sector and these respondents need to participate in answering interview

questionnaires made by the researchers.

Sample

The sample from the population of the study came from the private and public sectors.

In private sector like sole proprietors, small and medium enterprises, and professional or trade

organizations where randomly interviewed to know their knowledge, ideas and opinions about

the research problem. In public sectors, the municipal officers including the mayor of Baao,

Hon. Melquiades I. Gaite were also interviewed to know their insights about the study.
 Local Government Unit

This study was conducted in Municipality of Baao, the fifth Congressional district of

Camarines Sur. Baao has a total of 30 barangays; ten (10) in the Poblacion (downtown), seven

(7) in the suburban areas, twelve (12) in the mountainous areas and one (1) in the low lying

portion of the municipality.

Respondents

The respondents of this study were from the municipality of Baao coming from the

private sectors and public sector. Random residents were interviewed face-to-face to answer

the necessary questions of the research problem. In conducting the interview, most of them

were cooperative and participative while some were not interested to answer at all.

Data Collection

There were two types of data used, the primary and secondary data. The primary data

were derived from the interviews. Researchers allotted ample time to accumulate appropriate

answers to the research problem that helps in collecting primary research data. The secondary

data were from the Municipal Planning and Development Council (MPDC) of Baao that provided

researchers with the necessary information and documents. Another secondary data are the

literatures and studies related to the research problem.

 Research instruments

Face-to-face Interview- It is used to get the story behind a respondent’s knowledge, ideas and

opinions about the research and is more personal form of research than

questionnaires/surveys.

Internet- It is a fast technology-based source of data and information used for this study.

Internet is used for gathering important data and information from many sources that has been

very helpful to the completion of this study.

Library Technique- Other needed information was gathered through researches conducted

from library.

Data Gathering Procedure

Researchers conducted several activities in order to collect necessary data and

information. They visited the Baao Municipal Hall and its Municipal Planning and Development

Council (MPDC) to ask for permission to allow them to conduct a study. They also requested the

respondents to coordinate and participate in the collection of data and information. The

acquired data and information were analyzed and interpreted to answer the research problem.

Method of Data Analysis

In this study, researchers collected the data and information needed to find out the

answers to the research problem. The answers of the respondents were used in the analysis

and synthesis of the result. Researchers listed in a table all the results from the interviews and

were discussed one by one to explain further the responses about every research problem.
 Results and Discussion

This chapter presents the findings, analyses and interpretation of the data gathered in
the study.

Agritourism

According to the interview, respondents have a positive thought about Agritourism.

They mentioned that Agritourism gives many benefits to the farmers, visitors and communities.
Respondents believe that Agritourism helps in educating the public about agriculture because
nowadays, instant or processed foods, fast foods chain and additive foods are conquering the
market. People are becoming dependent in eating foods that are easy to prepare which causes
lots of diseases. With the help of Agritourism, the public will become educated that fruits and
vegetables are better and healthier that these processed foods. Also, Agritourism enhances the
quality of life of the people because it promotes the wellness of our health.

Respondents also believed that it makes money from a hobby/interest. People who love
to plant and are advocates of green environment will be interested to visit Agritourism farms. It
can also influence them to start their own Agritourism farms and invest their time producing
organic products.

Another result of the study is the direct-sale of products to its customers. Respondents
indicated that Agritourism has value-added services because it is being sold to costumers
directly with love and care. They believe that in order to produce high quality organic products,
farmers should be attentive in taking care of the plants. Because of this, people are more
interested to buy freshly picked fruits and vegetables in Agritourism farms.

Helping in the preservation of natural environment was also mentioned by the

respondents because these Agritourism farm owners are advocates of producing high quality
products without harming the environment. Instead of destroying the nature, they help in the
conservation, protection and beautification of the surroundings.
 The study shows that Agritourism does not only focus in producing organic products but
also for education, recreation and leisure. Baaoeneos consider Agritourism as a great way in
promoting wellness, generate revenue, create customer satisfaction and help in preserving
natural resources.

Values, norms and practices found in Baao

 Respectful to elders
 Very early mass and many peope are attending
 Religious (Home of Bishop Barlin)
 Practicing Soledad evey Holy Week with 114 band members
 Preserving the burda making of the women of Baao
 Very polite (ex. mano, po/opo)
 Chinese people are not allowed to put up businesses
 Bayanihan

Table 1

Table 1 shows the list of the values, norms and practices that can be found in the
municipality of Baao. It indicates that elders are respected and obeyed because children are
very scared to disobey people who are older than them. Baaoeneos are also very religious. They
are used to attend masses as early as 5:00 in the morning and during Holy Week, people are all
busy to prepare for the Soledad and procession with almost 35 saints. Because of this, Baao is
among the rear places in the Philippines that consistently maintained its deep devotion to its
faith that made it a home for famous religious patriarch such as the 1 st Filipino Bishop Msgr.
Jorge I. Barlin and numerous priests among others. Baaoeneos also give importance to the
traditional livelihood of the early women of Baao. Ms. Bernadette de los Santos, a social
entrepreneur had initiated to revive “Burda making” that resulted to giving livelihood to the
women especially the mothers. Also, in Baao Chinese people are not allowed to put up
businesses because they believe that Baao is purely for Baaoenoes only. Lastly, “Bayanihan” still
exist in Baao. People are always helping each other whenever needed.
 Tourist Attractions in Baao

 La Huerta de Rosario
 Café des Artes
 Antipolo and Caranday View
 Antipolo Falls
 Bahamas Resort
 Baao Recreation Center

Table 2

Table 2 shows the list of the tourist attractions in Baao. These attractions are natural,
cultural and manmade attractions that are discussed as follows:

La Huerta de Rosario is a four-hectare Agritourism farm owned by a social entrepreneur,

Bernadette de los Santos or more commonly known as “Ms. Bidibidi”. Her farm offers organic
fruits and vegetable, farm tours, encourage guest to participate in harvesting and serve foods
that come directly from the farm. It also offers refreshing and peaceful environment where
guest can enjoy and meditate with nature. It was established in 2004 located in Brgy. Sta.
Teresita, Baao and was named as La Huerta which means “garden” and “Rosario”, the name of
Bidibidi’s mother.

Another Bidibidi's precious milestone is putting up her very own art gallery in her
residence, the “Café des Artes” located in Brgy. San Nicolas, Baao that offers coffees, teas,
cakes and pastries to all visitors. In this cafe, different artworks made by Bicolano artists are
displayed, colorful collections are decorated and interesting reading materials are offered to
every guest that visits. Art exhibits and musical events are also being held here so that guests
can enjoy the artistic vibe of the cafe. They also offer souvenir items from Bidibidi's social
enterprises, Burda Initiatives and Fabulously and Absolutely Rural Made (F.A.R.M.). People who
love arts and crafts will surely experience haven and fascination with all the cafe's vintage
surrounding and artsy displays made by well-known artists all over Bicol region.
 In natural attraction, Baao can offer Antipolo and Caranday view. It is situated along the
roads of Brgy. Antipolo and Brgy. Caranday in the mountainous areas of Baao where tourists
can find a viewing deck to experience the magnificent view of Poblacion of Baao, Municipality
of Nabua and the City of Iriga.

People will feel the tranquility and the freshness of air as they see the lush green
surroundings of the view and will capture their eyes with its spectacular scenery. Its panoramic
view during sunset and sunrise will mesmerize and unwind their soul from the busy and
stressful life coming from urban areas. This heavenly bliss experience is also good for jogging,
bicycling or even hiking adventures.

Tourist can also visit the hidden falls of Brgy. Antipolo. This falls is called Antipolo Falls,
formerly known as “Busay Falls” (meaning talon or hararom). It is a hidden falls because its trail
is through the downside of a mountain. Visiting this falls is not that easy because it requires a
lot of strength, energy, focus and perseverance in order to reach it and its surroundings filled
with wild trees and plants.

In manmade attractions, Baao has a resort and recreation center where people can
enjoy their summer vacation, parties, bonding and other celebrations. The resort’s name is
Bahamas Resort and it is a must-go-to place in the town of Baao. It is owned and managed by
Mr. Edgar Omorog, a seaman who was inspired from the beautiful paradise island of Bahamas,
North America. In this resort, people can relax themselves in its refreshing surrounding and
enjoy the splashes of water as they swim through its pool. The resort also offers entertainment
for family and friends such as billiards, darts, basketball, volleyball and videoke. Food and
beverage and rooms are also available for those who want to eat, drink and have an overnight
stay. Parties, seminars, weddings and team-buildings can also be held in their function hall.

Baao Recreation Center is also a great destination to visit. It is a recreational resort but
formerly planned as an agricultural business. It was not intended to be a recreational resort but
rather to plant fruit bearing trees spanning the land area of 2 hectares. Visitors were supposed
to pick fruits for themselves and sell it but it turned out to be a resort since they have their
swimming pool used for family purposes and many people wanted to swim in their pool for free
way back in 1989. Because of high maintenance and lots of people are coming, the owner
thought of establishing the pool into a recreational resort to minimize the cost of their
operation. As time passed by, more amenities were established. They started with the
construction of Pavilion, Function Hall which can accommodate a maximum of 250 persons and
a lodging accommodation with 24 rooms, more swimming pools for kids (4 feet), Jacuzzi, and a
canteen for foods and drinks. They also have the RRPA (Rinconada Rifle & Pistol Association)
wherein members with licensed Rifle can practice their firing range and compete for
competition from various places all over the country.

Conclusion

Major Findings

Recommendations