Pasalubong

"Pasalubong" is a Tagalog word which if translated in the American English language would be "keepsake" or "presents". It is a souvenir brought for loved ones or friends. [cite book|last=Stone|first=Sidney Hunter |title=The Caging of Kassandra|publisher=Trafford Publishing|date=2003|pages=99|isbn=1412005175|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mtQ07IMBqzQC&pg=PA99&dq=pasalubong&sig=grXjbJ2ssRwdwc_wtE2jKsK7Hdc|accessdate=2008-04-23]

Description

"Pasalubong", in general, is a "gift for a relation or friend brought by" a "traveler returning from a trip," and could also refer to "anything given as a gift to someone on the way home to a certain place.""Tagalog-English Dictionary by Leo James English, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Manila, distributed by National Book Store, 1583 pages, ISBN 971910550X] These returning travelers are known as "balikbayan". [cite news |first=Mandalit |last=del Barco |authorlink=Mandalit Del Barco |author= |coauthors= |title="The Balikbayan Tradition", Gift Boxes Help Migrant Filipinos Keep Ties to Home |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5066964 |format=radio |work=Morning Edition |publisher=National Public Radio |id= |pages= |page= |date=2008-04-30 |accessdate= |language= |quote= ] The term "balikbayan", however, has in current times, been associated with overseas travel (as opposed to just travel to and from "bayans" or towns.) The "pasalubong" is usually indigenous foods or things from the region or country where the Filipino traveler came from. For example, a vacationer from Iloilo might bring home some piyaya to his family, or someone from Hawaii will bring macadamia nuts while someone who came from the Philippines might give decorations that are made up of kapis shells. [cite book|last=Ramos|first=Teresita V.|coauthors=Rosalina Morales Goulet|title=Intermediate Tagalog: Developing Cultural Awareness Through Language|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|date=1986|pages=502|isbn=0824807766|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=wlLsaoUjQi0C&pg=PA502&dq=pasalubong&sig=hqQZagAk_Bz-O_fj1SjGm94DDnQ|accessdate=2008-04-23|language=Tagalog]

It has also acquired the meaning of a gift or souvenir from someone traveling either whilst visiting or upon returning home or someone who happens to be away of the house for a period of time or just a day out of the house. Hence, a father coming home from work, might bring a "pasalubong" of sweetcakes and whatnot to his children. The literal meaning of "salubong" is to "greet", "surprise" or "meet with". It is often suggested that the act of meeting someone who just arrived and the one arriving, having been welcomed warmly, compensates these welcomers with a "pasalubong." The word also has minor celebratory connotations, as in rejoicing because the traveller is back home. Etymologically, "pasalubong" is a contracted form of "pang salubong" or literally, "for the "salubong." When pronounced with a different stress, the word changes meaning and approaches one pertaining to a "head-to-head" movement and direction.

It is not really the pasalubong that matters to a family, but the person who comes back home either after a long time or gone for some hours (provided that they have an appointment that day and have to leave the house).

Cultural significance

"Pasalubong" is very popular among Filipinos as it keeps the bond with friends, family, relatives or someone who does have close relationship with you. The gesture of handing out "pasalubong" conveys that loved ones are being remembered while away. "Pasalubong" can range from food items such as fruits, imported confectionery goods and other sweets (i.e. chips, canned goods and the most common are chocolates). "Pasalubong" can also be other items such as shirts, novelty items, knives and toys among others. Pasalubongs are often not wrapped and given to someone as it is.

cope

The most common pasalubongs by family members commonly coming home from work are fastfood junkfoods, toys, snacks or fruits mostly given to kids 10 years of age and below as a sign of thoughtfulness and care. This gives the idea of children enjoying something when you meet with them.

Various regions in the Philippines have their own specialties in food, keepsakes and the like, and promote these via the "pasalubong" custom. It is not unusual for bus stops from one region to another to have stalls nearby which sell the specialty "pasalubongs" of the respective regions they are located in.

Balikbayan box is also considered as "pasalubongs" by Filipinos. But unlike the traditional way of pasalubongs, it is sent as a box full of items/gifts. These gifts are usually packed in a "balikbayan" (literally, "return to town or nation") box, large standardized carboard boxes. [cite book|last=Ignacio|first=Emily|coauthors=Emily Noelle Ignacio|title=Building Diaspora: Filipino Community Formation on the Internet|publisher=Rutgers University Press|date=2005|pages=124|isbn=081353514X|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=R-I52mGEZ6UC&pg=PA124&dq=pasalubong&lr=&sig=JzhYRgHpkDfKedhoWFtayZO34_8|accessdate=2008-04-23]

Pasalubong may or may not be a souvenir from another place. It could be anything, either wild, native, gadgets as long as it is given to them as present.

The scope of whom the "pasalubong" is given to is also very much variable. Some are just bought to be given to the members of the family, while others, like in the case of the balikbayan box, are meant for extended families, friends, and even neighbors, co-workers, and the like.

Most common "pasalubongs" that are products of the Philippines

Objects

* Barrel Man
* Wooden Hand (Pangkamot)
* Native Drums
* Native Bags
* Keychains (Mostly Personalized)
* Knitted Hats and Bonnets
* Native Hats (Salakot)
* Native Letter Opener
* Printed Shirts
* Wooden Jeepneys and Wooden Bahay Kubo or Nipa Hut
* Accessories (Bracelets, earrings, necklaces that are locally made)

Food

* Sundot Kulangot
* Dried Mangoes
* Rice Cakes (Kakanin)
* Jams (Ube, Strawberry, Mango, Coconut and other fruits that may be sweetened)
* Longganisa
* Dried Seafood (Tuyo, Danggit, Pusit,etc.)
* Cornicks (Corn)
* Peanut Brittle
* Broas, Uraro/Araro (Bread)
* Pies (Buko Pie, Apple Pie, etc.)
* Espasol
* Durian (any products made from Durian like candies and ice cream)
* Tira-tira (Butong-butong)
* Pili

References