The lived experiences of bibingka vendors in Iloilo City

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of bibingka vendors in Iloilo City, focusing on their socio-economic realities, motivations, and the psychological meanings attached to their livelihood. Guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and a social constructionist perspective, the study examined how vendors constructed meaning around survival, perseverance, and family responsibility within the context of informal entrepreneurship. Through in-depth interviews with longtime vendors, three major themes emerged: (1) “Halin Kay Nanay”: A Multigenerational Family Business, which highlighted intergenerational transmission of livelihood and identity; (2) “Pagbibingka: A Strenuous Survival,” which captured economic instability, regulatory challenges, and physical strain; and (3) “Kung Hindi ka Mag-tiyaga, Wala ka gid Linaga,” which emphasized perseverance, faith, and family-centered motivation as defining traits of vendors. Findings revealed that bibingka vending was not merely a source of income but a culturally embedded, family-driven enterprise sustained by resilience, spiritual faith, and the aspiration for intergenerational upliftment. The study underscored how basic physiological and safety needs drove entry into street vending, while belongingness, esteem, and purpose sustained long-term commitment to the trade. Ultimately, bibingka vending reflected both economic necessity and meaningful agency within marginalized contexts.