Abstract:
The carinderia is a quintessential Filipino eatery known for its affordability, accessibility, and
home-cooked meals. While widely recognized as a site of sustenance, its deeper cultural,
historical, and social significance remains underexplored. This study addresses the
underexamined duality of carinderias, as both food providers and informal cultural institutions,
by employing an Area Studies approach and drawing from frameworks such as Culinary
Heritage and Kalutong Bayan. Focusing on Malabon and Navotas, the research analyzes the
multifaceted roles of carinderias in urban communities. The study uses three methodological
approaches: cultural mapping, semi-structured interviews, and surveys. It examines their spatial
distribution and location patterns, food offerings, historical narratives, operation systems,
cultural contributions, and public perceptions. The findings reveal that carinderias are shaped by
local socio-economic realities where food, identity, and everyday life converge. These
establishments provide sustenance and foster social connection, cultural continuity, exude
familiarity, and a sense of historical rootedness, which underscores the broader value of
carinderia beyond mere commerce. The study calls for greater recognition and support of
carinderias, particularly in the realms of policy, heritage promotion, and sustainable livelihood.
