Project Title: The Culture of Balut Production and Consumption
Funding Agency: DOST-PCAARRD (18mos)
Role: Project Leader
This research project is an ethnography of the balut culture. This research project is intended to comply with the program indicator of providing a thorough understanding of Filipino ethnic food culture with a specific emphasis on Balut. It is the assumption of this project that the efficiency of marketing strategies for Philippine ethnic delicacies is highly dependent on understanding the processes, rituals, and human intersections with relation to Balut as a cultural product. As such, a key method that this project will implement in data collection and analysis is lifted from the field of anthropology known as ethnography. I serve as the primary investigator for this project. The project is part of a 3-part program.
The project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
It has a duration of 18 months which commenced August 2018 and will be completed by January 2020.
Read our newly published article in the Journal of Asian Agriculture!
Read our newly published article in the Journal of Ethnic Foods!
Bulacan Fieldwork for #ItikPinas project. An interesting finding from data in Visayas and Mindanao is that some eggs which are turned to Balut and Salted Eggs are supplied from Bulacan. Today, we interviewed a stakeholder who shed some light on the systemic issues that they face.
Pampanga fieldwork for #ItikPinas project. We were able to secure an interview with the former chairperson of the Candaba Duck Raisers Association. This association has turned into a cooperative of about 130 members. A key takeaway from this is the much needed policy that would bridge the gap between the duck raisers and the balut/Salted egg makers.
Baguio fieldwork for #ItikPinas project. After interviews in Central Luzon, we have learned that one of the primary sources of demand is Baguio City. There are no duck farms in Benguet area. Hence, the supply for Salted Eggs and Balut are from places like Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. Below are the photos from the Night Market and the “Bagsakan” (supplier’s area) in the main market.
Year End Monitoring and Evaluation Program Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel July 15-16, 2019
Maria Carinnes P. Alejandria 
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