STREET FOOD VENDORS BRACING UP WITH COVID-19 PANDEMIC: STORIES OF RESILIENCE

This is a qualitative research study design using phenomenological approach, and general thematic analysis were used to generate the data; transcribing, coding, and identifying themes from the narratives of the street food vendors. Researcher-made in-depth interview guide used in the key-informant interview.

The four (4) street food vendors were purposely selected considering the criteria of: participants' only source of income is selling foods on the streets; a street food vendor for three (3) or more years; thirthy (30) years old or above regardless of the sex and gender; and has family to support and sustain.

Findings revealed that COVID-19 pandemic pandemic changed the living pattern of the street food vendors, not just on their socioeconomic status, but it also cut across to their social well-being, and it shaped the understanding of the participants on the IATF implemented safety protocols that it is for the benefit of the residents; their stories of survival during the COVID-19 pandemic such as, money borrowing and benefiting from vegetable gardern as the means of sustaining the needs of finances; and the street vendors pandemic associated understanding of resilience. For future research endeavors, they may focus on the lived experiences, and other homogenous group of street food vendors during the COVID-19 pandemic.