Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Philippines as an archipelago are rich in its resources from lands, minerals, waters
and specifically its history, culture and foods. The history of foods can be traced back long
ago as the country was invaded of different colonies that give way to the different cuisines. It
focuses on the origin and recreation of specific recipes.
The cooking style, methods and ingredients associated with Philippine cuisine have
evolved from its Malayo-Polynesian origins. The Philippines is at a crossroads of shipping
lanes. As a result, many cultures have influenced its cuisine. It can be considered as a
melting pot of mixed cuisines with many Hispanic, Chinese, American, and other Asian
influences adapted to indigenous ingredients and the local palate.
During the pre-Hispanic era in the Philippines foods were prepared mainly by boiling,
steaming, or roasting. The foods ranged from the usual livestock such as cow, water buffalo,
pig and chicken to various kinds of fish and seafood. Filipinos have been cultivating rice
since 3200 .Spanish colonization from 1521 to 1898 brought with it a new cuisine. Food
historians claim that 80% of Filipino dishes are of Spanish origin. Along with the Spanish
influence came Mexican flavors.
Spanish (and Mexican) dishes were eventually incorporated into Philippine cuisine
with the more complex dishes usually being prepared for special occasions. Since Spanish
food emphasized meat and dairy products, which were considered luxury items. Adobo is
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
also a by-product of both Spanish and Chinese influence. In Spanish cuisine, adobo refers to
a pickling sauce made from olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, paprika, thyme, bay leaf and
salt. The Filipinos embraced their favorite flavors (vinegar, garlic and bay leaf), included
peppercorns and nodding to the Chinese influence, added soy sauce. They adapted it to be a
stewing sauce for chicken and pork, but maintained its Spanish moniker. Once again, the
Filipino palate affirmed itself.
Today the Philippine cuisine continues to evolve as new ingredients and cooking
techniques, styles and methods find their way into the country. A fusion of different dishes
from earlier traders, Asian immigrants and former colonizers and the Filipinos’ love for
cooking resulted into a unique Philippine cuisine – a melting pot of eastern and western
cuisine and a gastronomic delight that has been savored for centuries.
Filipinos may know Cavite Province for its history, and with its history is a lot of
cultural food to discover. This province is located south of Manila and considered the
foundation of Philippine independence. It has taken to be that the province was once part of
the galleon trade were goods are traded and the use of the dialect Spanish language
Chabacano.
Cavite Province is well known for its rich culture, tourist and food destinations. This
cultural food is simple and has its distinctiveness among others. This quality allows us to use
a name of a place that is incorporated for food or drink: Bicol is known for its bicol express;
Batangas for lomi and barako; Cebu reminds us of lechon. Through this, it is easily recalled
and defined. Some provinces and cities have their own versions but still they can’t enjoy the
privileges of universally regarded for their food .
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to explore and determine Caviteños knowledge in the different
cultural foods in the Province of Cavite as basis in the development of the tourism industry of
the province.
Specifically, it attempted to answer the following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents, in terms of:
1.1 Age;
1.2 Sex;
1.3 Educational Background
1.4 years in the community; and
1.5 Income?
2. Which among the following ideas do the respondents associate the concept of Cultural
Food Heritage with the most?
2.1 Preservation of Authentic Traditional Cultural Food
2.2 Representation of the Town’s/ City Image
2.3 Sustainability of Traditional Food
3. What should be consider as basis for food heritage, in terms of
3.1 Intergenerational transmission of the food;
3.2 Promotion of the visibility of intangible food heritage;
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
3.3 Protection and promotion of Cavite Cultural food in the different towns of Cavite
with research, recording, and raising awareness through education and cultural exchanges;
and
3.4 Recognition of the traditional food in the three levels of the community, public,
local government and academia?
4 .What are the technical, operational, managerial activities that can help in the promotion of
cultural food heritage of Cavite
5 Is there a correlation between the profile variables of the respondents and their knowledge
on food heritage?
Research paradigm
INPUT
PROCESS
OUTPUT
Demographics
a. Age
b. Sex
c. Educational Level
d. Occupation
INDEPENDENT
VARIABLES
METHODS OF
INQUIRY
Research Instrument
Interview
Statistical Treatment
Social Representations on
Tourism Infrastructure
DEPENDENT VARIABLES
OUTPUT
(Quantitative Analysis)
Descriptive Statistics
Specific Tourism
Infrastructure
Projects to be
prioritized based on
Social
Representations
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
FEEDBACK
Significance of the Study
Tourism industry. Deemed as the private sector, having a view of other sectors’
representations (public) on the local tourism within and around Mt. Tapulao, the study can
bring partnership to both from planning to implementation of possible projects that are based
on the results gathered from the public sector of the industry.
Department of Tourism (DOT). As this government agency leads in all
management functions in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, the study
will basically assist in the planning stages of any projects for the locale of the study. The
study’s outcome which is specific tourism infrastructure projects to be prioritized based on
social representations made by the participants.
Local government. Because the study will produce factual data based on the social
representations of both hikers/ tourists and the locals, the local government will be able to
incorporate the outcomes to their development plans in terms of project development that is
specific to tourism infrastructures.
Hikers/ Tourists. As one of the users of tourism infrastructures, this sector will be a
contributor and beneficiary at the same time. Given that the study focuses on their social
representations on tourism infrastructures in the locale of the study, through their responses,
projects that could possibly bring change in terms of accessibility to tourist spots will be the
initial benefit to them.
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
Locals of Barangay Dampay-Salaza. The study will be able to inform the
constituents of the municipality of Palauig of the different infrastructures available and those
that are planned. The structures present and planned should be a mechanism to alleviate their
standard of living. This sector can also learn about the perception or representation of hikers/
tourist visiting their locality and this could lead to tailor-fitting of possible products or
services that they offer, or they can improve exiting goods and services that they are
currently offering to outsiders.
Researchers. The results of the study can be beneficial to those who are planning to
research about social representations in different segments of the tourism industry.
Scope, Limitation and Delimitation
The study utilized the social representations theory by Serge Moscovici to learn the
representation of different stakeholders in the tourism of the locale in terms of infrastructure
with the intention of producing a checklist of tourism infrastructures to be prioritized as
projects of private and public sectors.
This study limits its scope on hikers/ tourists who have visited the locality of the
study which is Palauig and the locals of Barangay Dampay-Salaza. The reason for the study
is to know the relationship of the responses (social representations) of both hikers/ tourists
and locals when it comes to existing and possible infrastructures that could be part of their
current tourism set-up. Demographic profile of the respondents such as their age, sex,
educational level and occupation, are to be considered which may impact their social
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
representations towards tourism infrastructures. Both groups (hikers/ tourists and locals) will
be given with the same set of questionnaires to be answered with minor difference that is
tailor-fitted based on their group. An interview with a local tourism officer will also be done
to give light to some of the objectives of the study.
Definitions of Terms
Tourism infrastructures. As defined by Cruz (2006), these consist of all
underground and surface development construction such as water supply systems, sewage
disposal systems, gas lines, electrical and communications systems, drainage systems and
other constructed facilities such as highways, airports, railroads, roads, drives, parking lots,
parks, night lighting, marinas, and dock facilities, bus and train station facilities and similar
tourist service installations.
Social Representations. According to the citation done by both Meliou & Maroudas
(2009) from the original work of Moscovici, the term social representations are depictions on
shared knowledge and understanding of common reality. Furthermore, as a theory, it is
developed to study lay knowledge, address issues which are also of concern to theoretical
framework and research traditions, such as culture, common sense and shared cognition.
Tourism development plan. Provides overall guidelines for development, outlines
broad development concepts, and identifies individual development opportunities worthy of
in-depth analysis through feasibility studies and cost-benefit analysis.
Ecotourism destinations. These are tourist destinations that are synonymous to
green and nature tourism; as values-based, these are sustainable, alternative, appropriate and
low-impact tourism destinations.
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
Accessible Tourism. It is tourism that can be enjoyed by everyone, including those
with access needs. Many people have access needs including disabled people such as those
with hearing and visual impairments, wheelchair users, older and less mobile people and
people with pushchairs (England Business Development Unit; As cited by The Bimblers,
2015).
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Over the last two decades, due to globalization, tourism became accessible for most
of the people, especially middle-class, and as a consequence the mass tourism appeared, and
the tourism industry became one the biggest industries in the world. Even though tourism
became more accessible for the majorities and it was easier to travel, some social groups,
such as people with disabilities and seniors were generally undervalued and overlooked by
the tourism market because they used to represent a minority with low economic power.
However, because of the decrease in birth-rate around the world and the consequent growth
in the number of elderly people, this situation got a new turn and now the seniors have
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
become a broad and important group with benefits that other groups cannot offer to the
tourism industry (Anttonen, 2014).
According to Yooshik Yoon (2002), many tourism destinations contain natural or
man-made advantages to attract visitors. In the long-term sustainability and success of
tourism destinations, such tourism attractions should be identified and evaluated. Especially,
each destination and tourist region could have a different advantage in its destination
attractions. The assessment of destination attractions is needed to create a more competitive
and quality environment in tourism planning and development.
Defining Tourism Infrastructure
According to the Tourism Infrastructure Policy and Priorities document developed by
Infrastructure Australia (2008), tourism infrastructure results from a mixture of both private
and public-sector investment. Examples would be international airports and accommodation
room stock, for example, represent private infrastructure, on the other hand, roads, rail
networks and seaports are typically public infrastructure. Infrastructure such as convention
centers and national parks are public assets provided due to market failure or for social and
environmental policy objectives.
Tourism infrastructure is a component of regional touristic product. Infrastructure is
comprised of basic devices, buildings and service institutions, whose existence is crucial to
the proper operating of economy and society (Gaworecki, 2003; As cited by Panasiuk, 2007).
According to Cruz (2006), infrastructures consist of all underground and surface
development construction such as water supply systems, sewage disposal systems, gas lines,
electrical and communications systems, drainage systems and other constructed facilities
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
such as highways, airports, railroads, roads, drives, parking lots, parks, night lighting,
marinas, and dock facilities, bus and train station facilities and similar tourist service
installations.
Development has been a part of tourism due to the fact that one of tourism’s
characteristics is that its products are not brought to the consumer; rather, the consumer has
to travel and go to the product to purchase it. The products of tourism are then, not used up,
thus, they do not exhaust the country’s natural resources. These developments and changes
happen due to the fact that the tourism industry is described as dynamic where it is
characterized by the changing ideas and attitudes of its customers and therefore must be
always prepared and willing to adjust to changes (Cruz, 2006). With the possibilities of these
developments, there would be high accessibility to different tourism products regardless of
the location.
Individual tourism development projects are generated either through the tourism
planning process or by the private sector. In destinations without tourism plans, the public
sector may identify development opportunities for private sector investment. All individual
tourism development opportunities must be carefully researched and analyzed before their
construction. Potential tourism development projects have some basic differences. The first is
their capability to generate financial profits. Some projects such as hotels and commercial
attractions are profit generators, while others, such as travel information centers and
infrastructure facilities are usually not. Although the latter facilities do not generate direct
revenues, they are essential components of the tourism product of the destination area (Cruz,
2013).
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
In Australia, federal, state and territory governments have tourism ministers although
the responsibility for tourism infrastructures like airports, casinos, museums, and national
parks, fall outside them. Furthermore, the policy levers to plan, build, manage ore regulate
both public and private tourism infrastructure often lie outside the tourism portfolio (see
Table 1). The potential influence of multiple portfolios on tourism policy issues makes a
whole-of-government approach essential so that the right projects can be prioritized.
Table 1. Government Portfolios and Tourism Infrastructure
Typical Federal/ State Portfolios
Tourism Infrastructure
Plan, build, manage or regulate infrastructure
Fundamental infrastructure for tourism access and product
Aviation
Education
Environment
Gaming and Racing
Heritage and Arts
Indigenous Affairs
Planning,
Lands
and
Government
Regional Development
Sport and Recreation
State Development
Tourism
Transport and Infrastructure
Infrastructure in regional tourism destinations
Stadia, sporting venues and recreation facilities
Convention, exhibition and entertainment venues
Minor infrastructure for product development
Roads, passenger rail and cruise shipping ports
Airports and aviation capacity
Tertiary education facilities
National Parks and visitor facilities
Casinos, racetracks and gaming facilities
Museums, art galleries and cultural facilities
Indigenous tourism facilities
Local Accommodation and precinct development
Source: Tourism and Transport Forum. (2008). Tourism Infrastructure Policy and Priorities
Accessible Tourism
The development of different infrastructures leads to the primary goal of the United
Nations to create tourism that fits to all types of tourist conditions. The Division for Social
Policy and Development Disability of the United Nations (2017), is promoting accessible
tourism for all, and focus are on disabled tourist who would want to try other avenues of
tourism other than those that they normally have access and provisions so that they are able
to experience all tourism products as normal tourists would do. Globally, it is estimated that
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
there are over 1 billion persons with disabilities, as well as more than 2 billion people, such
as spouses, children and caregivers of persons with disabilities, representing almost a third of
the world’s population, are directly affected by disability. While this signifies a huge
potential market for travel and tourism, it still remains vastly under-served due to
inaccessible travel and tourism facilities and services, as well as discriminatory policies and
practices.
It is also clear that accessible tourism doesn’t only support PWDs but also the ageing
population of the world. Accessibility is also an important aspect of realizing the rights of the
world’s ageing population. As we grow older, our chance of experiencing a permanent or
temporary disability is increased. A focus on accessibility can therefore ensure that we are
able to participate fully in our societies well into our older years. Accessibility also benefits
pregnant women and persons who are temporarily rendered immobile (Division for Social
Policy and Development Disability, 2017, ¶ 13).
The older market has continued to grow and evolve in recent years mainly because of
the rapid increase in the number of older adults who are living longer and healthier lives than
previous generations. The United Nations estimated that over 2 billion people will be aged 60
years and over by the year 2050. This will account for 22% (or one out of five) of the world’s
population, compared to only 10% in 2000, and this demographic shift will be seen all across
all continents as cited by the United Nations in 2000 (Patterson & Pegg, 2011). Newer
generation of retirees have emerged as ‘hungry to go off the beaten path’ resulting in growth
in the adventure travel business.
Locals’ Perception of Tourism Development
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
The support from community where the tourism activity is, is an essentiality to
further introduce growth and sustainability in terms of the following areas: commercial,
socio-cultural, physiological, political and economic. Their part in influencing the planned
activities of the government related to tourism development is significant (Jamaludin,
Othman & Awang, 2009; As cited by Hanafiah, Jamaluddin & Zulkifly). The perception of
local residents was the most accurate factor in evaluating the current situation towards the
destination due to the closeness of the area (Cottrell &Vaske, 2006; As cited by Hanafiah,
Jamaluddin & Zulkifly).
According to Javier and Elazigue (2011), tourism should be integrated with the local
economy, participation of communities from the planning to implementation and
management should be encouraged. Public-private partnership and external investments
should be promoted. Several examples exhibiting strong partnership between the two sectors
in tourism development are:

Olango Bay in Cebu

Panglao Craft Village at Panglao Island Tourism Estate in Bohol

Mt. Pinatubo Tourism Project – helped establish a cooperative that serve guided tours
to Mt. Pinatubo’s Crater Lake. Tourists pay user fees, which are used for conservation
of the trekking route and maintenance of public facilities and created livelihood for
the cultural community.
Tourism Development in Mt. Tapulao
Mount Tapulao, also known as High Peak, is the tallest mountain in Central Luzon at
6,683 feet (2,037 meters) above sea level and is located in the Municipality of Palauig in
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
Zambales. Its name is derived from the abundance of Sumatran Pine trees in the area, known
in the local Zambal dialect as tapulao. Its temperate climate here allowed for the abundant
growth of these pine trees. Mt. Tapulao's summit offers a breath-taking panoramic view of
the Zambales mountains on the east, Lingayen Gulf to the North, and the South China Sea to
the West. Hikers can take an old mining trail of undulating and rolling mountains from
Barangay Dampay in Palauig to reach the summit, about 18 kilometers away. DENR Region
III has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government of Palauig for
the protection and conservation of unique biodiversity found inside the 5,000 hectare Mt.
Tapulao area. The Giant Cloud Rat, scientific Phloeomys pallidus, and the newly discovered
Rhynchomys tapulao, another species of rodent, are just two of the 85 faunal species found in
the area (Tourism Planning, Research and Information Management Department of Tourism,
2015).
According to DENR Region III Central Luzon, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of
Palauig has passed an ordinance declaring Mt. Tapulao as an ecotourism destination and a
protected area.
As part of the pre-feasibility of the Tourism Planning, Research and Information
Management, in 2013, the conducted SWOT Analysis revealed some of the strengths that are
significantly linked to tourism growth. Despite of the strengths and potential of the area,
weaknesses in different areas that could affect the growth are also evident in the SWOT
Analysis. The following are the cited weaknesses of the area which are interconnected to
each other though different in nature:

No biodiversity assessment; limited data on natural resources

No funds for site validation and product development
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development

No DOT-accredited accommodation establishment

Lack of accommodation facilities in San Salvador

No homestay facilities

No access road leading to tourism site

Repair/ reconstruction of new bridge connecting main road to the community

No commercial flights

No established policies for eco-tourism

Weak/ no cellular signal

No promotional plan

Limited knowledge of residents on Mt. Tapulao

Need for information drive for the proposed trail

Lack of trained tour guides

Lack of investors

Mayantoc to Tapulao trail is only limited to experienced mountaineers/climbers

It takes 3 days to reach Mt. Tapulao

Limited number of ecotour guides reef rangers

Inadequate job opportunities for skilled workers and professionals

Low cost of wages

Capacity building trainings and seminars

Absence of aid or support from communities near Brgy. Labney in case of emergency
during mid-way climb

Dispute on administrative boundaries

Need for passing and implementation of legislative measures
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
The Tourism Act of 2009
According to Republic Act No. 9593 which provides for the development of a
national tourism action plan for implementation by national and local governments; enlisting
the participation of local communities, including indigenous peoples, non-government
organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and the private sector. It also
emphasizes capability building of LGUs, in partnership with the private sector, in the
management of local tourism projects and initiatives, and the establishment of tourism
enterprise zones (TEZs). As per Section 37, LGUs, in consultation with stakeholders, are
encouraged to utilize their powers under the Local Government Code to ensure the
preparation and implementation of a tourism development plan, the enforcement of standards
and the collection of statistical data for tourism purposes. The plan should integrate zoning,
land use, infrastructure development, the national system of standards for tourism enterprises,
heritage and environmental protection imperatives in a manner that encourages sustainable
tourism development (Javier & Elazigue, 2011).
The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall be the primary planning, programming,
coordinating, implementing and regulatory government agency in the development and
promotion of the tourism industry. It shall monitor the LGUs’ compliance to national
standards in the licensing of tourism enterprises; and ensure the proper coordination,
integration, prioritization and implementation of local tourism development plans. It shall
provide technical assistance to LGUs in destination development, standard setting and
regulatory enforcement; preparation, implementation and monitoring of local tourism
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
development plans, gathering of statistical data, and enforcement of tourism laws and
regulations.
There are a number of activities where LGUs have to coordinate with DOT. These
include:
- integration and coordination of local and national plans for tourism development
- approval (by LGU resolution) of designating TEZ
- designation of a permanent position and performance of functions of a tourism
officer in every province, city or municipality where tourism is a significant industry
- promulgation (also in consultation the private sector industries and other tourism
stakeholders) of rules and regulations on the operation of all tourism enterprises, such as a
national standard for licensing, accreditation and classification of tourism enterprises
- establishment of tourist information and assistance centers at strategic locations
(province, city or municipality where tourism is a significant industry)
- provision to DOT of an inventory of all the resources available to the DOT for use
in the implementation of the Act
- periodic reporting to the DOT on the status of tourism plans and programs, tourist
arrivals, and tourism enterprises, among others, within their jurisdictions
- issuance of timely advisories on the safety or viability of travel to particular places
- report to DOT of incentives provided by LGUs for tourism enterprises through,
among others, reductions in applicable real estate taxes and waivers of fees and charges
Social Representations Theory
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
According to the work of Moscovici (1961-1963; As cited by Meliou & Maroudas,
2009), social representations are built on shared knowledge and understanding of common
reality. Social representation theory developed for the study of lay knowledge, addresses
issues which are also of concern to theoretical framework and research traditions, such as
culture, common sense and shared cognition.
Social representations are particularly appropriate when the topic of study involves
multiple social perspectives, provides challenges, difficulties and conflicts due to change, and
features the communication of ideas in the public arena. The study of tourism and host
community reactions to it is therefore well-suited to the social representations framework. A
backlash against tourism may take several forms that can be manifested by reduced support
of locals in their community or reduced support of politicians and advocates of tourism
(Ambrož & Mavrič, 2004, ¶ 1).
The social representations framework is an organizing theory that directs attention to
the whole. Systems of values, attitudes and experiences are the explanation tools for the
people when they reflect and talk about tourism. It emphasizes the commonalities in
individual and group views in tourism. Shared views that reveal a conflict about tourism
development can be understood with a social representations framework. It is very important
that this framework enables us to see the attitudes of tourism as an integrated and complex
whole in the conceptual space of the resident (Pearce & Moscardo, 2002; As cited by
Ambrož & Mavrič, 2004).
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
This chapter discusses the research design, characteristics of the population and
participants, sampling procedure, sample size, data gathering procedures, research
instrument, data analysis and statistical treatment to be used in the analysis and interpretation
of data.
Research Design
Due to the nature of the study, the researcher will utilize descriptive-survey research
design and will analyze the data quantitatively to determine the significant difference in the
social representations of hikers/ tourists and locals in terms of tourism infrastructure towards
accessible tourism. This type of research design is valuable in providing the facts, and
focusing concentration on the most essential things to be reported (Camilar-Serrano, 2016).
The design will also be employed to this research because the objective of the study is to
know what are the tourism infrastructures that the participants think are to be prioritized to
have accessible tourism to all users of tourism products.
Participants of the Study
The participants of the study will be composed of hikers/ tourist who has visited Mt.
Tapulao and the locals of Barangay Dampay-Salaza of Palauig, Zambales. The researcher
will use purposive sampling and will be applied for both hikers/ tourists and locals as
participants of the study. For the local tourism office, the available officer will be
interviewed to answer the other objectives not covered by the questionnaires for both hikers/
tourists and locals.
Research Instrument
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
The researcher modified the questionnaire found in the study of Szell (2012) to fit to
the purpose of the study. Aside from the first material, the researcher also referenced on the
Tourism Infrastructure Policy and Priorities released by Tourism and Transport Forum of
Australia and the National Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Assessment – Appendices
document (Tourism Industry Aotearoa) (2017) which enumerated tourism infrastructure
categories. The questionnaire is composed of two parts; first part will focus on the
demographic profile of the participants and the second part will be asking about their
representation on the level of priority given to tourism infrastructure in the locale of the
study. Two questionnaires were utilized to collect information regarding the social
representations of hikers/ tourists and locals of the study area’s tourism infrastructure.
Likewise, the questionnaire had similarities when it comes to the measurement of their
priority in terms of tourism infrastructure. A separate questionnaire will be used for an
interview with the local tourism officer of the locale that will also be based on the first two
questionnaires specifically on the part where it asks for the level of priority for tourism
infrastructure, to know the current and planned infrastructures for the area. This will also
bring answer to the objective of the study to know on how the local government and locals
interact in terms of tourism development in making the area accessible to hikers/ tourists.
Data Gathering Procedure
The researcher will be requesting for an approval with the inclusion of the purpose to
conduct the study on the specific locality from the Palauig Municipal Tourism Office. This
will include the collection and recording of data coming from the participants through the
questionnaire. Collection of data will be done through survey questionnaire for both locals
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
and hikers/ tourists, and will have a face-to-face interview to a local tourism officer. Aside
from using a questionnaire, the researcher also gathered information through different
secondary sources which includes, books, published journal and researches and materials
from the internet.
Statistical Treatment
To interpret the data that will be gathered, the following will be used with the aid of
SPSS:
1. Frequency count and percentage. Both will be used to tally the responses regarding
the participants’ demographic profile. And to have comparison in terms of the values
of each demographic in reference to the data provided by the participants.
2. Mean. This will be used to know how the participants score the level of priority for
each tourism infrastructure category.
For the interpretation of the responses on the second part of the questionnaire,
the researcher used the Likert Scale with the following components: Rating Scale,
Mean Interval Scale and Verbal Interpretation).
Rating
Scale
1
2
3
4
5
Mean Interval
Scale
1.00 - 1.99
2.00 - 2.99
3.00 - 3.99
4.00 - 4.99
5.00
Verbal Interpretation
Not a priority
Low priority
Medium priority
High priority
Essential
3. T-Test. This will be utilized to check on the differences on the responses made by the
participants in the level of priority for tourism infrastructure. The t-test’s statistical
Cavite Heritage Cuisine: Exploring Caviteños Knowledge on its Cultural
Food as Basis for Tourism Development
significance indicates whether the difference between two groups’ averages most
likely reflects a “real” difference in the population from which the groups were
sampled.
4. Multiple Regression. This will be used to predict which tourism infrastructures are
valued more by the respondents as for the level of priority given.