The tradition of “pasalubong”—which literally means “something to welcome me back with”—or giving someone a souvenir from a trip is something deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. No matter where a Filipino goes, he or she will constantly think of his family and friends back home, and giving pasalubong is a testament to his or her innate thoughtfulness.
If you’re currently visiting the Philippines or will be in the country soon, check out this handy pasalubong guide, where we listed down some of the most sought-after souvenirs you can easily buy in or near Metro Manila. (Watch for our Cebu pasalubong guide, coming soon!) Read on and enjoy going pasalubong shopping!
1. Ensaymada
These pillowy soft puff cakes feature a spiral/round design similar to cinnamon rolls, brushed with butter or margarine and sprinkled generously with sugar and cheese on top. Although they’re a typical sight in neighborhood bakeries, they’re also merienda staples in most coffee shops, a delight to pair with piping hot chocolate.
Where to buy them: Mary Grace Café, which has several branches scattered across Metro Manila and in the nearby provinces of Bulacan and Rizal, has a unique take on the delectable pastry. Their classic ensaymada is made with 100 percent real butter and eggs, and is topped with Edam cheese from Holland. You can buy them by the dozen or half-dozen; plus, they can last up to seven days when chilled. Click here to find a branch near you or order online.
2. Ilocos Chichapop
If you’re a fan of snacking on chewy and crunchy food, then chichapop is for you. Unlike the all-out crunchy cornick, chichapop has a slightly chewy texture, due to the partially popped glutinous corn coated with lime before frying. Its traditional flavor is garlic, although other variants such as cheese, sweet corn, adobo, sweet and spicy, spicy, and barbecue have also become equally popular.
Where to buy them: Although chichapop hails from Ilocos, you can easily get a bag of these straight to your doorstep thanks to online shopping. A top seller on Shopee is Jat’s Vigan Chichacorn, which you can buy from Ate EM’s Online Shoppe. Click here to order.
3. Hopia
No pasalubong list would be complete without a box of hopia, and you can’t get any more authentic than getting your fill from Ho-Land in Binondo, Manila. The bakery has been creating the beloved flaky puff pastry with sweet or savory fillings, from mung bean, pork, ube, and pineapple, to custard with salted egg. Because of its popularity, Ho-Land also has branches in Pioneer, Kapitolyo, and in White Plains, Quezon City.
Where to buy them: No time to visit? You can order online at holandhopia.com.
4. Piaya
A road trip to Tagaytay—just one to one and a half hours drive from Manila—is the simplest answer to a balikbayan’s complaint about the hot, humid weather. And such a sojourn merits a meal at Balay Dako, one of the city’s most popular restaurants with an arresting view of Taal Lake. A particular snack that diners especially look forward to is the Ilonggo piaya, a flat pastry with muscovado filling, sprinkled with sesame seeds and grilled at Balay Dako’s piaya station. It’s hard to miss as it’s positioned near the entry way.
Where to buy them: Balay Dako is located at Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay, Cavite.
5. Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates
Nothing compares to the intense richness of Davao’s cacao beans and Bacolod’s sugar, two ingredients which make Theo & Philo’s award-winning single-origin chocolates a sought after sweet. They have a wide offering of chocolate bars, ranging from 65 to 90 percent dark chocolate. Enjoy unique Philippine flavors, from 65 percent dark chocolate with green mango & salt and milk chocolate turon, to dark chocolate with calamansi, milk chocolate adobo, and 65 percent dark chocolate with labuyo (chili). They also have chocophile-approved drinks, chocolate mango, and chocolate spread.
Where to buy them: You don’t have to go all the way to Davao (unless it’s in your PH itinerary!) to buy Theo & Philo chocolates. They have several stores in Metro Manila: from Alabang, Makati, Taguig, and Pasay, to Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Quezon City. For a complete list of their branches, visit theoandphilo.com.
6. Napoleones
Probably Bacolod’s most famous pasalubong is the Napoleones, a layered puff pastry filled with custard cream and topped with a sugar glaze. The result is a mouthwatering sweet treat with a delicate and flaky crust and a creamy center. While Leones Napoleones—arguably with the best version of Napoleones—doesn’t have Metro Manila distributors yet, they do bake the goods and fly them to the metro on the same day; now, that’s a deal we can’t pass up on. Boxes cost P270 per box of six, P450 per box of 10, and P540 per dozen, but do watch out as they frequently have sales. A flat rate of P175 applies to deliveries to Metro Manila, and P400 for those in Cavite and Rizal.
Where to buy them: To order Leones Napoleones, visit leonesnapoleones.com. You may also check out other Napoleones sellers in pasalubong shops and kiosks at major malls nationwide.
7. Pili Nuts
It’s not that hard to get your hands on Bicol region’s world-famous pili nuts in case you’re craving them. The oblong-shaped nuts take on a chewy texture and buttery flavor when roasted, making them not just a prized snack, but a great addition to baked and cooked goods. They’re also incredibly healthy, packed with more magnesium than cashews and almonds; plus, they’re high in metabolism-boosting oleic and linoleic acid.
Where to buy them: Want to bring home a pack of these world-famous nuts? Oragon’s Fave offers them in raw, crispy with honey, and salted variants.
8. South Sea Pearls
Apart from food items, you can also opt to bring back jewelry from your PH visit. The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful pearls in the world, with brands such as Jewelmer at the helm of pearl farming. For a one-of-a-kind pasalubong, you can’t go wrong with their pearls, cultivated to deep gold perfection. The pearls’ lustrous beauty is worth the hefty price tag.
Where to buy them: Jewelmer has boutiques scattered across Manila, from Alabang Town Center to Glorietta, Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, and Shangri-La Plaza Mall, to name a few. For a complete list of their branches, visit jewelmer.com.
9. Abaniko
If you’re headed back to a country where summers can be excruciatingly hot, then you might want to bring home an abaniko or pamaypay, made out of woven anahaw or buri leaves. The heart-shaped fans come in plain and vibrant colors, making them a festive addition to your summer outings.
Where to buy them: They’re commonly sold in shopping malls and markets, costing around P20 to P120 each, depending on the size. Try ordering from marketvalue on Shopee for authentic abaniko handcrafted in Legazpi City, Albay.
10. Toy pedicab, jeepney, or kalesa
There’s literally something for every balikbayan at SM’s Kultura, a pasalubong and Filipino specialty store housing everything from Pinoy-themed or Filipiniana outfits to dried mangoes, local trinkets and fare, and cute souvenirs. To remind you of home, why not grab a gold die-cast pedicab, jeepney, or kalesa, which can be used as a shelf display item or an attractive paperweight. They also make for great conversation starters with non-Filipino friends abroad.
Where to buy: For a complete list of Kultura branches, visit kulturafilipino.com.
This list did not include meat, vegetable, and liquid food items, and for good reason, as not all are allowed on international flights. For instance, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration or TSA has strict guidelines in place for checked bags with liquid chocolate, coffee, creamy dips and spreads, fresh fruits and vegetables, and meat products, so it’s best to skip these altogether when flying back to the U.S. or even any other country. As an alternative, you can always gift them to your friends and relatives in the Philippines.
While this article mentioned brands and shops where you can get popular pasalubong, you can never go wrong with going directly to the supplier or manufacturer. Not only will your shopping be easier on the pocket, your finds will be more authentic, too!