true, you hit the right words–a balikbayan box is truly filipino. it’s like any filipino has a story to tell wen it comes to balikbayan box. it’s like any filipino has a relative or friend who is abroad, yes, at least 10% of filipinos are documented immigrants or ofws, and what about the undocumented? the filipino is really everywhere–the filipino diaspora.

A balikbayan box brings happiness,if only briefly. It can never contains hugs, kisses, whispers of love and affection as well as meaningful eye contacts.

hay…kakalungkot.

How interesting to have those gifts!! I wish I had such good fortune to have a few boxes sent to me. haha…

Tagged! I have a meme for you!

I want to see what you, an intelligent woman, teacher, wife and mother, have in your handbag or purse. hehe..

*starts rummaging Julie’s bag….*.

i just sent two boxes to pinas yesterday. the other one for my family filled with shoes, clothes and canned goods plus sweets for christmas and some of the crafts and drawings of the girls. and the other one for bahay kalinga — that box was filled by the girls with their old clothes, shoes, bags, toys and some christmas goodies. am excited when i send boxes kasi alam ko, it would also be an exciting time to those receiving them

What an interesting idea. I’ve never heard the term before until now. The closest thing I think we have in the US are “care packages” sent by mothers to children in college, and of course packages sent to those who are serving in the military.

ECL, you know I have been tagged to do this a long time ago by a personal friend who also blogs.

Shame on me…I have not done it yet

And now you are tagging me too so I will do this tag already.

Thanks for the tag Will link you up when I am done.

Raq, these boxes are a source of joy to most our kababayans, to us it is too. Last night after we said our prayer before meals, my son Julian said a short prayer which made us laugh: “Jesus, thank you po nakadating na si Mommy dito. Tsaka nagdala siyang chocolates para sa amin.Amen.”

For families, if hugs and kisses can only be included no?

DD, the term “Balikbayan” means “balik” for going back and “bayan” for town. This is a term used for Filipinos overseas who are coming back to the country either for a vacation or for good.

They send these boxes to their relatives where they put the things they bought where they are living and working, through courier or forwarders.

Yes, its like a care package sent by parents to their children for mostly, those who send these are parents (as well as adult children) working abroad.

*smacks Eastcoastlife’s hands* apologies on behalf of fellow Singaporean. How can she go through others’ belongings without permission? Haha. My day bag meme is up!

It is interesting that your country has a name for a bag ple use in travels.

You know what I like about Balikbayan Boxes..the smell. We’ve named that smell as “amoy america”. I love that sweet smell

As bloggers, we all are “curious” about other bloggers too. Come on, admit it. DOn’t we just love to read blog posts about what this or that blogger has done? So a peek in the bag is naturally in the works

Thanks for the visit. Know what? I love the humor of Singaporeans, you seem to be a happy lot

[...] What is in a Balikbayan Box? [...]

There is always excitement in the air whenever we open balikbayan boxes. Thanks for sharing all those wonderful things you received. We’re expecting one next month from my parents.

Oo, nga, amoy imported

I am sure Yohan looks forward to his new treasures, Rachel..At ang diet, baka masira when the box arrives

lol, tatak pinoy ba. i’ve already heard that joke that you could easily distinguish pinoys because of those boxes.. i think i’m the only one who don’t send balikbayan boxes at home, don’t know, i’m sure my family will find it corny if i send one.. i was already teased just by bringing home some chocs, that was because i was stuck in the airport and i had nothing to do so i checked the duty free.. and they thought i was sick, lol.. di sila sanay..

Oo, Ana..Really? You don’t send BB boxes? Yung iba kasi, ayaw ng money lang, gusto me package pa

Kaligayahan na ng kahit sinong Pinoy ang tumanggap o magpadala ng balikbayan box, (or balikbayan envelope) depending on which part of the globe you are.
I believe that’s that makes us a uniquely happy people too.

So true, Tita Princess. But take note, this is also a source of squabbles among siblings. I know of a family..

Oh my, the most I have gotten is a 2 or 3 kg box of sweetstuff and whatnots from a blogger friend from France. And I was ecstatic! I have never received a big balikbayan box! Must be such a thrill to receive one.

Just like Cookie, everytime we open a balikbayan box, ang bango talaga, amoy States sabi ng mga kids ko. With hubby’s five siblings based in Florida, we received at least 2-3 boxes a year. Siempre ako happy with designer bags and perfume.:-)

It is thrilling to receive one or two but with big families, these are a cause of squabbles. I know of one family who had a misunderstanding because of that one container of iced tea, hehehe…Bakit naman kasi isa lang ipinadala eh 4 yung pamilyadong anak na nandito

Also,some families prefer to get these rather than get money.It must be the smell

Wenchie, yes the smell, amoy-Tate

Aba, 2-3 boxes a year, bongga!

[...] have written a post about the Balikbayan box which overseas workers send to their relatives here, that one can easily spot a Filipino traveler [...]

[...] one can see returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) carrying very big Balikbayan boxes with goodies for the many family members awaiting at the airport’s arrival [...]

[...] my mother-in-law take vacations in the US, she brings home boxes upon boxes of thingamajigs that she buys during yard [...]