Thursday, June 11, 2020

Balikbayan Box


Balikbayan Box, General Trias

A large number of Caviteños in the early 70's and 80's migrated to the United States. Some of which are my Aunts and Uncles who started their lives in California and built their family there. Time to time, my grandparents would visit them there and with every trip, they come home with a lot of gifts for the whole family here at home. Here, my grandma shows her almost exploding box on the photo.

These boxes are called "Balikbayan" boxes. Balik in Filipino/Tagalog means back and bayan means town/country so it literally means back to home box. 

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28 comments:

  1. ...when I visit Maui, there is a large Filipino community.

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    1. You are right Tom! I think the states with the highest Filipino American population are California, Hawaii, and Texas :)

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  2. Wow, dear Steve, that is one large box, how wonderful!
    Do you have any idea what was in there? I´m asking for "lille Corinna" who STILL has to wait to start her journey to you!

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    1. Oh hello to dearest lille Corina!!! My Grandma brings almost the whole US when they visit HAHAHA Mostly there are bath towels, soaps, chocolates, seasonings, and a cooler filled with Frozen Steaks hahaha

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    2. Lille Corinna is already sorry about the ice-cream! But she gives the hello back, dearest Steve! :-)
      Oh, how long will she be stuck here? This really never happened before, a lille parcel asking me every day, "can I start now? NOW? How about today??"

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    3. Awwww Iris that is super cute! That made me smile! Hang in there lille corinna, the wait is sweet but the day of your arrival will be a lot lot happier!

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  3. what a nice photo of past times in the family - that is a keeper for sure

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    1. Thank you so much Carol! That is very true! After I took a photo of this photo, I secured it back to my grandma's Album HAHA

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  4. Your Grandmother looks so happy in the photo. I'm sure everyone loved the gifts inside the balikbayan box.

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    1. You are very right Liberty Belle :) We are all very excited about the box as much as we are excited to see them every time they return from visits HAHA

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  5. Hi Steve, Very interesting this "Balikbayan Box" thing. I was on the break for few days got some urgent stuff to complete but now I think I am back for good. .. :) You Have a Nice and Beautiful Day. . . :)

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    1. Thank you so much Manav! I did miss you and your posts my friend but I'm happy you are back :) Happy Weekend coming Manav!

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  6. Oh what an exciting time for the family, and a precious memory for you Stevenson
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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    1. It really was dear Maxine! Now I miss my grandma. I miss travelling. I miss Balikbayan boxes!

      Happy Weekend Maxine!

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  7. It must have been exciting to received those boxes packed with gifts for the family.
    Have a wonderful weekend:)

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    1. That is so true!!! It is a big family reunion because of those boxes HAHAHA

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  8. Like getting Xmas presents ~ how loving ~ ^_^

    Be Safe. Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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    1. You are very on point there Carol! Whenever they arrive from California, all of us gather there even my cousins and aunts from outside town because they have something for everybody! Oh I miss Grandma and Grandpa!

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  9. Once the eyes see a package that big and Grandma is bringing it and smiling, the whole family must have been excited to see its contents.
    Great photo from your past. Love seeing Grandma, she looks like a happy person.
    Have a great weekend, Steve.

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    1. It's like you were really there at those moments Bill, very very accurate you said!!! We are all super super excited and everyone takes turns on opening boxes with a knife HAHA

      I miss her every single day. I think I got my happy outlook in life through her :) She is very loving and caring to all of us!

      Happy Weekend dear friend Bill! Sending hugs to Ireland!

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  10. I've never heard this term. How interesting! She was lovely.

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    1. Thank you so much Jeanie. You are so right, I miss her every single day...

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  11. Your grandmother looks so happy! It must have been exiting to see what was in these boxes :-D

    So what would be in the boxes?

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    1. She really is Ananka :) Oh usually you get to see lots and lots of chocolates and corned beef and SPAM and bath towels!

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  12. I know that had to be an exciting and fun time!

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    1. Very much Rose! I miss those days, though we also have such times whenever my brother visits here from California :)

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  13. Fascinating story. I wonder what you used to get brought for gifts when your grandparents returned. Something exciting I hope.

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    1. Oh chocolates are a staple gift or "pasalubong" as we call gifts taken home for trips. Oh and my grandma love's buying tons of Cheese Singles from Costco hahahaha It lasts for almost a year before they go back again and visit my Aunt@

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