A balikbayan’s journey back home is always a convivial occasion.
The length of time away doesn’t matter—whether for just a few months or several decades—Filipinos love to celebrate a homecoming. From a whole barangay greeting and cheering a balikbayan’s touchdown at NAIA to preparing all their favorite dishes and comfort food upon arrival at home, we take these celebrations very seriously.
Very often, itineraries and travel activities are planned before hopping on a plane. So we at KUBO want to know: What’s the first thing Pinoys abroad want to do upon returning to the country? We rounded up responses from our friends and kababayans from all over the world. Whether you’re a Filipino migrant yourself or someone who’s about to welcome one back, read on for ideas on the first things to do upon touchdown!
Christian, 40, based in Ontario, Canada
Hometown: Cainta, Rizal
When asked whether Christian has plans to visit the Philippines soon, his ready answer is “Always.”
“Many people may think it’s easy, or just a matter of will and desire. But going home is expensive and life often gets in the way of the best-laid plans to go home!” When he finally does, the first thing he’ll do is “meet up with all my friends, go on trips to enjoy nature and our amazing biodiversity, and eat my way across every province possible!”
KUBO Tip: Are island-hopping or taking trips around the Philippines part of your homecoming agenda as well? The best and fastest way to reach all the best islands in the country is by plane. Learn how to navigate the ins and outs of flying around with our domestic travel guide.
Francis, 62, based in Hayward, California, USA
Hometown: Quezon City
“I would like to visit the Philippines in 2025 or 2026. I would try to eat mami and siopao from Ma Mon Luk or search for ‘iskrambol,’ a refreshing colorful ice smoothie that gives me a brain freeze (haha). I would love to explore places that I have been to, and wherever that may be, I always look forward to the warm smiles of our kababayan and their welcoming nature that always make you feel at home.”
April, 32, based around Toronto, Canada and Dubai, UAE
Hometown: Bicol
“Yes, I’m flying home in July 2024. (That’s next month! Woohoo!) First thing I would do is stuff my face with street food! Fishballs, calamares, isaw, kwek-kwek, taho, balut, mangga with alamang! Ugh, I am drooling just thinking about it!”
Giselle, 31, based in Doha, Qatar
Hometown: Las Piñas, Metro Manila
“Yes, I will be coming home next month (July 2024), which I am very excited about because I don’t have the opportunity like others to go home on a regular or monthly basis. I always prioritize spending time with my family whenever I am home. I make sure I get to treat them, spoil them a little. I also eat any food that has pork because I hardly eat pork unless I am on a layover!” That’s because she’s based in the Middle East.
KUBO Tip: It takes a lot of work to manage big groups during Filipino family reunions. With so much planning and preparation, tick off one more thing on those reunion to-do lists: the venue! From cozy gatherings to unique dining experiences, take your pick from our reunion venue recommendations.
Eli, 31, based in Amsterdam
Hometown: Manila
One more balikbayan flying back home next month is Eli, who’s been living in Amsterdam as a software developer for the past five years. When Eli returns, “I will stay with my tita in the Makati area, kahit one week lang (just for one week). [I also plan to] dress tropically, meet with friends, and hang out with my lola *toasting beer*.
Tina, 40, based in New Jersey, USA
Hometown: Cavite
“Since I go home every year (with a hectic schedule), I always try to spend time with family first, very soon followed by my best friends, then hit the beach for retreat/recuperation. Oh, and I also spend time with my (several) dermatologists (friends and cousins). Alam mo na, bawal pumanget sa America! (You can’t get ugly in America!) Life is hard here; I’m making an effort to make it livable hahahahaha. This is my life now. This is home now. My kids were born here and this is where I see myself growing old. It’s super that my hubby is supportive of me coming back home yearly. It’s a nice middle ground.”
Chet, senior, based in California, USA
Hometown: Quezon City
“God willing, [I can come home in time for] my Maryknoll College Golden in September. [The first thing I’ll do is] get a full head-to-toe massage and spa treatments, followed by merienda of lumpia, pancit, and halo-halo at Gloria Maris.”
Butch, 51, based in Northern Wisconsin, USA
Hometown: Manila
“[I plan to visit the Philippines] after I finish my DNP, probably in a couple of years. [The first thing I’ll do when I come back home is] find places to eat. Then visit Intramuros and visit places I went to with my lola when she was alive.”
Julie, 40, based in Australia
Hometown: Bataan
“I plan to visit in Feb. next year (2025) for our high school reunion. The first thing I’ll do is visit my dad. Then pampering, definitely, haha.”
Isabel, 41, based in New York, USA
Hometown: Quezon City
“Hopefully, I can visit this year or next year. [The first thing I’ll do is] catch up with close friends and get a facial/massage/hair treatment.”
Balikbayans love a good pampering, especially when the services aren’t as expensive as the ones abroad. KUBO Tip: Treating yourself to a good pampering session does wonders for the body and mind. Here’s a list of highly rated spas to visit when you want to melt away your worries and recover better from jet lag.
Jay, 61, based in California, USA
Hometown: Pampanga
“I plan to visit in Feb. 2025. [The first thing I’ll do when I come back home] is go to the memorial park to pay my respects to my late parents.”
Leo, 40, based in San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
Hometown: Bohol
“Yes, [I plan to visit the Philippines] hopefully next year with family. [First,] I like to greet the oceans, and visit my elders in the family and pay respects to those before me at the cemeteries. After that, I will ask my cousin to make fresh kinilaw with her homemade tugnos ginamos.”
Joanne, 30, based in Brooklyn, New York, USA
Hometown: Nueva Ecija and Baguio
“I’m probably going to be really hungry after a long flight [back to the Philippines], so most likely I’ll be headed to Jollibee for something quick! Chickenjoy with rice and some pineapple juice. There’s Jollibee in New York now, but the chicken in PH just hits different.”
Regina, 41, based in Ohio, USA
Hometown: Metro Manila
Regina would gladly keep coming back to Manila just to eat her favorite Jollibee palabok. Fortunately, she has plans to visit PH in the last quarter of 2024!
Maria Cristina, 35, based in Halden, Norway
Hometown: Cebu City
“Yes, I plan to visit next year, in 2025. I’ll visit my family, and I will eat Jollibee and lechon.” Cebu City is famous for their highly-renowned, talk-of-the-town lechon, so eating her hometown’s specialty is one of the top things she’ll do when she visits. The distinctive flavor comes from the special mixture of herbs and spices used to marinate the meat.
Pearl, 59, based in Illinois, USA
Hometown: Cebu
“I plan to come home for my birthday in the Fall to eat mom’s cooking especially paksiw na isda or inununan! And adobong nukos!”
Jasmine, 39, based in San Francisco, California, USA
Hometown: Mandaue/Cebu
“No exact dates planned yet, but I’m hoping [to visit the Philippines] within the next two years. [My] first meal home would be panga, kinilaw, BBQ chicken, and puso with friends!”
Immy, 31, based in Nøtterøy, Norway
Hometown: Pasig City
“Yes, I’m aiming to visit next year. When I do, I just want to eat my ulam requests together with my family.”
Mylene, 35, based in Moss, Norway
Hometown: San Clemente, Tarlac
Mylene plans to visit early next year, “just to be with the family, treasure every single moment of being with them, and enjoy the good food. Also, we’ll visit some of the beach places in our bucket list.”
KUBO Tip: The Philippines boasts some of the most picturesque and highly-awarded sandy shores in the world. From Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao, here’s where you can find some of the best Philippine beaches to visit.
Aura, based in Singapore
Hometown: Baguio City
For Aura, home is just a plane ride away and lucky for her, she’s able to “visit every month.” The first thing she does each time? “Eat my fave food and meet family and friends.”
Donna May, 25, based in Halden, Norway
Hometown: Batangas
“Maybe I’ll visit after five years [to] eat Filipino food and visit the grave of my parents.”
Ana, 50, based in Ohio, USA
Hometown: Laguna
“Yes, I have plans to visit the PH this December. The first thing I’ll do is eat.”
Aimee, 50, based in Ohio, USA
Hometown: Cebu City
“Yes, I plan to visit sometime in 2025. First thing I’ll do is go to my favorite restaurant and EAT!!!!”
Kat, 44, based in Austin, Texas, USA
Hometown: Manila
“Yes, I plan to visit the Philippines, maybe in the next two years. The first thing I’ll do is eat. And go to the beach.”
Ellie, 29, based in Halden, Norway
Hometown: Metro Manila
“Hopefully I’ll get to visit soon and eat Filipino food.”
Gus, 60, based in Ohio, USA
Hometown: Baguio
Gus is another frequent visitor who manages to come home every year. And every year, his priority remains the same: “Visit family.”
The Philippines will always welcome kababayans home with open arms and comfort food. Once you’ve returned to the country, relax, and kick up your feet. Welcome back!
Preparing for your own homecoming? Read this KUBO Balikbayan Guide for a hassle-free journey! Know which apps you’ll need to download with our handy guide.
Have you read what these offshore Filipinos miss most about the Philippines? If not, check it out here and share with us your own story!
Are you a Filipino who’s lived many years abroad? We’d love to hear from you or from someone you may know who’s an overseas Filipino. Send us your stories and answers to what you miss most about the Philippines and what you plan to do when you visit the motherland via KUBO’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
With reports from Trixie Reyna and Liana Smith Bautista
