THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY PAULINE TAVARA DAMASO TRADITIONAL PREPARATION, PACKAGING PRACTICES AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF LA UNION’S BAGOONG, A REGIONAL FERMENTED FISH PRODUCT IN THE NORTHWESTERN PHILIPPINES BACHELOR THESIS Study Mode: Full-time Major : Food Technology Faculty : International Program Office Batch : 2016-2020 Thai Nguyen, 25/11/2020 Thai Nguyen,2020 Luan van DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry Degree Program Bachelor of Food Technology Student name Pauline Tavara Damaso Student ID DTN1554290045 Thesis Title Traditional Preparation and packaging practices of La Union’s Bagoong, A regional fermented fish product in the Northwestern Philippines Supervisor (s) Dr. Nikki Dagamac (Philippines) Dr. Vu Thi Hanh (Vietnam) Supervisor’s Signature Abstract: Although regional foods in the Philippines have recognized the authenticity and variety of various ethnic foods for the country, there are still limited sources of information about them just like in the popularly consumed condiment of the Ilocano people, a fermented fish product called bagoong. The result of this paper helps to better understand the factors that come up to the unique regional distinction of bagoong by traditional practitioners and Ilocano people.
Ilocano participants were subjected to comprehensive observation and semi-structured interviews. Data were transcribed and thematic analysis was performed to identify patterns of themes. This study includes historical profiling of regional bagoong in terms of processing, gathering of raw materials, and the pre- and post-production process of the homemade makers, and small-scale manufacturers. From the research, most of the makers of bagoong in Agoo, La Union were small-scale manufacturers which commonly processed in their house.
There are two types of bagoong in La Union which are bagoong sida and ii Luan van bagoong armang. The bagoong sida is composed of different varieties of fish and bagoong armang is made up of krill. The main ingredient used in making bagoong was mostly harvested by the small-scale fishermen of Agoo, La Union. The small-scale manufacturers were following traditional methods of making bagoong and it was commercialized in the local market of Agoo.
Different types of packaging were used such as recycled containers, bottled glass, retailed plastics bags, buckets, and drums. Moreover, nutritional components and potential risk of regional bagoong of manufacturers were also observed and documented. Keywords Commercial foods, Fermentation, Food preservation, Food culture, Regional identity Number of pages: 61 pages Date of November 25, 2020 Submission: iii Luan van ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First, I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr.nat Nikki Herherson Dagamac, for his unending support in conducting this research and sharing his wisdom. I am very grateful for his friendly guidance, advises and encouraging words which became a big part of my writing process.
Thank you for the time and effort in spite of his hectic schedules. Thanks for not giving up on me and giving me the chance, it was such a great honor. Especial thanks to my Vietnamese adviser, Dr. Vu Hanh for her assistance, advice and support regarding to my case.
Secondly, I sincerely gave thanks to Dr. Stefanie Young Eriguel, Mayor of Agoo, La Union Philippines for allowing me to conduct my study. To the barangay captains and to the 17 respondents who really contributed much to the success of my research. To my close friends: Dicky, Ate Myra, Ate Rhona, Kuya Ponce, Luis, Alysza, Althea, Le and K49-AEP for their help, moral support, love, and always reminding me to be optimistic.
Thank you for the encouragement which helped me to get through in difficult times. Special thanks to Ms. Charmaine Carrera, Ms. Dianne Rose Carrera and Mr.
Christian Dy for their thoughtful help and assistance during my interview. I greatly appreciate all of your assistance. If it was not because of them, I would have not been able to approach the respondents. iv Luan van To my family, that served as an inspiration for me to stay strong.
It was a tough time, but I am really grateful for the priceless advises you have been giving me. These people always helped me to keep my life in context. Graduate school is not the most important thing in life, but good friends, good times and happiness are.