Pasalubong

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2007)
This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject.
Please help recruit one or improve this article yourself. See the talk page for details.
Please consider using {{Expert-subject}} to associate this request with a WikiProject

Pasalubong is a Tagalog word which if translated in the American language would be "keepsake or presents". It is a souvenir brought for loved ones or friends.[1]

Contents

[edit] 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."[2] These returning travelers are known as balikbayan.[3]

The pasalubong is usually indigenous foods or things from the country where the Filipino traveler came from. For example, someone from Hawaii will bring macadamia nuts while someone that came from the Philippines might give decorations that are made up of kapis shells. [4]

In the Philippines it has 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. The literal meaning of pasalubong is to "greet", "surprise" or "meet with". It is often suggest as "salubong" or refers to the act of meeting someone who just arrived and the one arriving, having been warmwelcomed, compensates them with a pasalubong. 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).

[edit] 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.

[edit] Scope

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.

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.[5]

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.

[edit] Most common pasalubongs that are products of the Philippines

[edit] 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)

[edit] Food

  • Sundot Kulangot
  • Dried Mangoes
  • Rice Cakes (Kakanin)
  • Jams (Ube, Strawberry, Mango, Coconut and other fruits that may be sweetened)
  • Longganisa
  • Dried Fish (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

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stone, Sidney Hunter (2003). The Caging of Kassandra. Trafford Publishing, 99. ISBN 1412005175. Retrieved on 2008-04-23. 
  2. ^ "Tagalog-English Dictionary by Leo James English, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Manila, distributed by National Book Store, 1583 pages, ISBN 971910550X
  3. ^ del Barco, Mandalit. ""The Balikbayan Tradition", Gift Boxes Help Migrant Filipinos Keep Ties to Home" (radio), Morning Edition, National Public Radio, 2008-04-30. 
  4. ^ Ramos, Teresita V.; Rosalina Morales Goulet (1986). Intermediate Tagalog: Developing Cultural Awareness Through Language (in Tagalog). University of Hawaii Press, 502. ISBN 0824807766. Retrieved on 2008-04-23. 
  5. ^ Ignacio, Emily; Emily Noelle Ignacio (2005). Building Diaspora: Filipino Community Formation on the Internet. Rutgers University Press, 124. ISBN 081353514X. Retrieved on 2008-04-23.