Pasalubong is a Filipino term for keepsake or travel present given to people back home that is close to the traveler. It doesn’t matter whether one came from his work, the next town, other islands or abroad, but more pressure on the part of those balikbayan’s from foreign countries. Theoretically, pasalubong is a token of endearment; care and thoughtfulness, for someone to remember the people back home everytime he comes back. The usual pasalubong for Pinoys are chocolates (always no 1 in the list), local products from the country where balikbayan came from, perfume, jewelry, food and a whole lot more. As Filipinos are known to be hospitable citizens, they are also famed for being generous and thoughtful especially to their families and friends, even to their whole community and these traits are well symbolized in giving pasalubongs.

Through the years, as the Filipino Diaspora continues to escalate in even greater pace, the culture of giving pasalubong is slowly loosing its true essence. Giving pasalubong is becoming more of an obligation than an act of regard and most often than not, people back home are expecting too much to request a particular item from a balikbayan without being asked. Worst part it when the receiver actually shows dislike for the object that he got or when someone gets “tampo” or the feeling of being forgotten when they don’t get their pasalubong.

In other countries, those very same actions will raise eyebrows as it is considered rude to ask something from somebody. Pasalubong has even reach the proportion of balikbayan boxes or a boxful of gifts for families, relatives, friends, neighbors, inaanaks, the cook, house helper, driver, etc. I don’t know the statistics but I presume that a big portion of OFW’s money goes to pasalubong whenever they came home. It’s like an unwritten rule that when you come home to Philippines, everyone should have a piece of what you experience, in the form of pasalubong. Materialism has played part in destroying the true meaning of giving pasalubong.

I don’t condemn this act of giving for the people who close to your heart but sometimes people forget that what matters most is when the person you love comes home safely. I empathize with those who feel that the only reason why their family anticipates their arrival is because of the pasalubong that they will get.

I remember this commercial years ago about a balikbayan who came home at Christmas with a balikbayan box. The whole house became so engrossed with his pasalubong that they have forgotten to greet the arriver. It’s just so sad and cruel to watch that. Being taken for granted, in exchange for pasalubong during Christmas day is the saddest thing that can happen to a balikbayan, who endured years of hard work, homesickness and pain away from his family.

I think Filipinos should be more considerate with our balikbayans and just be thankful for whatever they will receive. After all, what matters is the reunion of family and friends, of being together one more time after years of separation.