The Philippines has one of the largest diaspora populations. Whether to seek greener pastures or experience global adventures beyond our islands, Filipinos have planted roots in places everywhere in the world where opportunity beckons them.
Overseas Filipinos have built their lives, started families, and established careers abroad. But a lot of our kababayans express an ardent desire to come back because they miss home. We talked to friends and countrymen who’ve uprooted their lives and asked what they miss most about the motherland. With answers ranging from funny and silly to heartwarming and poignant, read on as overseas Filipinos weigh in on their favorite things about the Philippines. Do you miss the same things?
Eats more fun in the Philippines
With all the responses we collected, there is but one consensus: overseas Filipinos miss local food. No shocker there when every event in our lives, significant or simple, is punctuated by food and the typical (sometimes expected), “Kumain ka na ba?” (“Have you eaten?”)
Tina, 40, endocrinologist based in New Jersey, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 13
“When I moved to the Bronx, NYC in 2011 for training, I remember the culture shock: breakfast done in five mins. I literally would swallow my blueberry muffin and gulp my hot black Americano, napaso pa! Hahaha. Then immediately get back to work. It felt and still feels like I’m a hamster on an exercise wheel. It is a requirement to eat quick. It’s sad because as an endocrinologist, I know it’s not healthy [but] such is the American way. I miss the long breakfasts in Cavite where I’m from (imagine a three-course breakfast), [which] usually runs 2-3 hours minimum. [I miss] pandesal with carabao cheese (ako Chiz Whiz), followed by our local luglog, then garlic rice with a meat dish, complete with condiments like special suka or ensalada. In Cavite, it seems like there’s always time to digest… [My non-Filipino husband] has gotten used to it and in fact loves our Filipino ways.”
Lea, 36, handling guest relations for several Michelin-starred restaurants based in Washington, D.C., USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 20+
“What I miss most about the Philippines is the food, for sure. The Filipino food scene is pretty serious in DC and there’s certainly much more representation in the mainstream, but it’s still pretty limited to the ‘greatest hits’ or a creative interpretation of a classic. I miss the slightly obscure, regional dishes that you can only get at some provincial town that’s been making it for decades.”
Joanne, 30, based in Brooklyn, New York
Years lived outside the Philippines: 30
“I miss family of course! But also the mangoes; the ones in the States are just not the same. The sweetness can’t compare.”
Aimee, 50, Software Engineer based in Twinsburg City, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 14
When asked what she’s missed most about the Philippines, Aimee responds, “I miss traditional Filipino food.” With a cuisine as flavorful and varied as ours, who wouldn’t?
Sun, sand, and sea
Picture this: an azure expanse, a vast horizon where a line meets the sky and the sea, and fine white sand flowing beneath your feet. The Pearl of the Orient truly is a tropical paradise. Overseas Filipinos agree: our country’s beaches are unparalleled, with seaside views fit for a Zoom meeting background.
Michael, Research Scientist based in Illinois, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 7
“I miss the proximity to the ocean and actual sand beaches. None of this BS grainy sand. It’s just not the same,” he opines, comparing our beaches to the ones in America. As someone who spent much of his childhood in a coastal town in Leyte, it’s no wonder Michael misses our powdery white sands. Other things he misses about home: “Food. Goldilocks brownies and Sinangag Express.”
Kat, 44, IT Manager based in Austin, Texas, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 13
“I miss family, food, and the beaches. I feel like I never appreciated Filipinos’ easy access to beautiful beaches until I moved away. I have yet to go to a beach in the US that holds a fiddle to what we have back in the Philippines.”
Maria Cristina, Hotel Staff based in Halden, Norway
Years lived outside the Philippines: 13
“I miss family and friends, Philippine food, and going to the beach.” Having lived for more than a decade in perpetually cold Norway, it’s only natural for Maria Cristina to miss going to the beach here in the Philippines. Plus, her hometown is sunny Cebu City, which is lined with picturesque shores.
Ellie, 29, Front Office Manager based in Halden, Norway
Years lived outside the Philippines: 11
“Ease of access, food, family, and dagat (the sea).” As a Manila-raised, now Norway-based dual citizen, Ellie keeps her list of things she’s missed in the Philippines quite simple.
Regina, retired, based in Ohio, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 41
“I miss the beaches.” Regina is another kababayan from Metro Manila who misses our pristine white sandy beaches the most since she moved to the midwest US.
Treat yourself!
Filipinos work hard but will make time for rest and spoiling ourselves—whether it’s getting the best spa service at a fraction of the cost abroad, or scouting bargains at tiangges.
Pacifico, Physician based in Boston, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 31
“I miss the food, beaches, and Greenhills tiangge (haha),” says Pacifico, naming the popular Greenhills shops among the things he misses most about home. Since the 70s, this shopping center has been an oft-frequented shopping destination and local institution for citizens of Greater Metro Manila and beyond. Balikbayans would often flock to Greenhills for pasalubong shopping sprees and cheap thrills.
Isabel, 41, lawyer based in New York City, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 9
Another balikbayan pastime when they return to the country is spending a day in the salon or relaxing at a spa, which is exactly what Isabel misses about the Philippines: “cheap salon/spa services.” These treatments may be priced at a fraction of what they cost in the US, but our local joints do not skimp on service or quality.
Julie, 40, doctor based in Australia
Years lived outside the Philippines: 10
“Gosh where to start?! I miss family and friends, the beaches, the pampering, festive Christmas, Jollibee! In Australia, shops close at 5p.m., so the busy nightlife [of Metro Manila] I miss sometimes as well.”
Reunions and the joys of homecoming
Filipinos are truly bonded by our desire for connection with our family and friends. This cultural trait inherent in us is why we value our loved ones deeply and why our traditions are grounded in togetherness and coming home.
Christian, 40, PhD Candidate; Lecturer; and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Education Coordinator for a Canadian university based in Ontario, Canada
Years lived outside the Philippines: 15
“I miss the people, my family, and friends. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic about happy times when I’m feeling homesick, even if I may be misremembering life to be ‘easier’ back then. It’s a different kind of life, but there’s definitely something comforting about being with the people you care about. Oh, and I miss the food, of course!”
Immy, Sustainability Specialist based in Nøtterøy, Norway
Years lived outside the Philippines: 9
“I miss that you’re surrounded by loved ones and you can meet your friends anytime. Adult friendships can already be difficult, but it’s extra challenging when you live abroad and everyone’s either busy with work, or you’re too occupied with life tasks to even start or keep new friendships. And of course, that you can satisfy your food cravings at anytime! Everything here closes too early!”
Jay, 61, International Global Contracts Manager based in California, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 36
One of the downsides to settling down away from family is “missing out on family gatherings, holidays, and special occasions,” shares Jay.
Leo, 40, based in San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 40
“I miss my family, the generosity everyone has, and especially fiesta time when all of the community is lively and dancing!”
Butch, 51, Nurse Informaticist based in Northern Wisconsin
Years lived outside the Philippines: 25
“I miss my catholic community, lordsflock.org; the food of course; UP Diliman Campus (and the associated shenanigans).”
Aura, Physician based in Singapore
Years lived outside the Philippines: 18
“I miss the food and family gatherings.” Lucky for her, her loved ones are just a quick plane ride away.
Gus, Physician based in Ohio, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 29
“I miss family back home.”
It’s the people and the community
Lola, 40, Creative and Editorial Consultant based in Berlin, Germany
Has been permanently based abroad since 2018
“I miss the vibrancy of everything. I miss smiling faces and openness.”
Chet, based in California, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 30
“I miss the people’s ability to maintain a sense of humor, no matter what: COVID, floods, traffic, politicians—Pinoy humor rules!!!”
Jasmine, 39, Business Owner/Vocal Coach based in San Francisco, California, USA
Years lived outside the Philippines: 16.5
“I miss the people, the community, the food, and the pace of life. Didn’t feel like I was in the rat race as much as I do over here!”
Filipinos truly are global citizens with a shared love for the best our country has to offer: Filipino food, natural sights, and of course, our warm and loving people. As our kababayans venture out into the world, we hope they continue to share more of our culture and keep coming back. Check out part two of this story, where we asked these overseas Filipinos when they plan to return home and the first thing they’ll do when they arrive.
Share your 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 via KUBO’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
Planning a trip to the Philippines soon? Read this KUBO Balikbayan Guide for a hassle-free journey!
With reports from Trixie Reyna and Liana Smith Bautista
