Philippine Traditions: Pasalubong

Let me start by defining to you non-Filipinos what pasalubong is. (Native Filipinos, please skip this part). A Pasalubong is a token or a gift or a little something something (souvenirs, food, random items) given to a loved one or just about anybody usually after a trip (a vacation or return from abroad). A pasalubong is also used to denote the food (famously donuts or pansit) the head of a family takes home for his children after work. It is an integral part of the rich culture the Philippines continues to practice even today, regardless of wherever they may be.

If you married a Filipino woman, or are involved with any Filipino person, it is advised that for you to gain favor from the Filipino person's family and friends you are to bring pasalubongs for everyone. If you missed the memo and are a "foreigner" (not even a pinch of Filipino blood in you), you will be able to escape the Filipino family's sour complaints and sad looks because it's considered excusable. However, if you're another type of "foreigner" (Filipino-borne yet foreign-raised), prepare to meet your doom as Filipinos will not let you off the hook that easily. To avoid this, I suggest you run to the nearest Duty Free shop and buy pasalubongs. Yeah, so they hardly count as pasalubongs, but they don't know that. The gifts don't need to be very extravagant really. The Filipinos are appreciative people. You could buy us a toothbrush and we'd appreciate it. It's always the thought that counts... most of the time. If you have the money to spare, you can make someone really happy by giving them a violin case from musicians friend or something equally useful.

You might be wondering, why am I suddenly on the topic of pasalubongs? Well, because since I just came home from a 9-day vacation, people from back home are expecting pasalubongs and I thought I should blog about it.

If someone had to bring me a pasalubong from abroad, I would love for them to bring me bills since I collect money. How about you? What kind of pasalubongs do you prefer?