Whatever the reasons are, whether it’s to share good fortunes found overseas or to ease the loneliness of being separated by the Pacific Ocean and several time zones, sending balikbayan boxes to the Philippines has turned into an annual tradition for many Filipinos living abroad. The practice picks up around the holidays, with senders putting the final strips of heavy-duty tape around September, so that boxes arrive in time for Christmas.
And, while it’s a treat for the recipients—opening the meticulously sealed shipment and getting a whiff of what’s undeniably amoy Amerika (smells like America), for starters—there’s an equal sense of anticipation and adventure for the Filipino-Americans who put the boxes together. Each 24x18x24-inch balikbayan box is a culmination of a year’s worth of hitting up clearance sales, trips to a members-only wholesale club like CostCo and BJ’s, and going through gently worn clothes to see which ones will find a new life in the Philippines. We’re not even talking about the Tetris-like precision when it comes to packing everything.
While there’s always a variety in what gets included in a typical balikbayan box, these eight items are the mainstays.
1. Clothes
Back when H&M, American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale, and the Gap group have not set up a retail presence in the Philippines, clothes from these brands were frequently requested. During big sales, we’d fill our shopping carts (real-life or virtual) with printed tees and fit-of-the-moment jeans that will go into that year’s box.
Fitness-minded cousins don’t have to get left out in the cold. Lululemon and Rhone are brands known for their performance clothes that have yet to open a local outpost. Their sweat-wicking tees and anti-microbial shorts are perfect for gym workouts, and as a bonus, they double as travel-friendly duds.
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2. Canned food
One of the best things about canned food is that they have a long shelf life, so they are always a viable option whenever you have leftover rice but there’s no leftover ulam to pair with it (or you don’t feel like cooking that day). Simply warm the contents of a can of vienna sausage, SPAM, or pink salmon, and dinner is ready!
Bonus: Weight limits to balikbayan boxes are usually more generous than airplane checked luggage (we’re talking double or even triple the amount), so don’t worry about giving each relative more than a few of the canned deliciousness!
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3. Bags and wallets
Coach and Kate Spade are household names where Filipinos living in the US can stock up on thoughtful stocking stuffers like wristlets, wallets, leather phone cases, and keyrings. What’s more, they are available for a bargain at outlet malls.
Backpacks are also a no-nonsense item, as they are useful for teenagers who go to school, as well as 20-year-olds entering the workforce.
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4. Chocolates
Although many internationally known chocolate brands can be found in Philippine grocery stores too, they are usually cheaper when bought in the United States, especially if they’re picked up after certain holidays (Valentine’s Day and Halloween come to mind). A two-pound bag of miniatures filled with different varieties of Hershey’s chocolate guarantees that there’s something for every sweet tooth. Want one with crisped rice? Reach for the Krackel bars. Like things dark and plain? Hershey’s Special Dark is for you.
For something a little bit more decadent—or something to celebrate a huge milestone—send a few boxes of Trader Joe’s Cocoa Truffles. Now available year-round, they’re the sort of melt-in-your-mouth goodness that pairs well with champagne or cocktails.
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5. Peanut butter and Nutella
Tell us a better spread to go with pan de sal that was just taken out of a wood-fire oven than creamy peanut butter and delectable hazelnut. We’ll wait.
(Okay, Kesong Puti is a big contender, but this doesn’t need to get shipped halfway across the world to a Filipino breakfast table, does it?)
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6. Scents
Somewhere out there is a generation of Pinoy millennials who grew up with the scents of Acqua di Gio, DKNY Be Delicious, and Issey Miyake fragrances—packed in the box with travel-friendly samples of other perfume brands, naturally.
For day-to-day use, the same no-longer-bagets (young) opted for Victoria’s Secret’s Bombshell, Bath & Body Works’ Warm Vanilla Sugar, and Abercrombie & Fitch’s Fierce.
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7. Coffee and coffee creamer
One of KUBO’s writers has a ninang who would rather go cold turkey and experience caffeine withdrawal (and it’s not a pleasant thing) than contend to a bland cup of 3-in-1 coffee. And you’ll know she got her annual replenishment of coffee grounds and creamer—in industrial-sized jugs—when she has a pep in her Viber phone call.
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8. Toiletries
Open any balikbayan box and you’ll spot toiletries in bulk—from assorted bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, foaming hand wash, lotion, and hand sanitizers, to bars upon bars of soap. These are PX staples because the jumbo sizes and scent variations that are available abroad are hardly available in local Philippine stores. Send loved ones several that will last them months and pack in some that they can give away to their amigas as well.
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9. Shoes
If you’re anything like yesteryear’s pasalubong hounds, you’ll probably have a paper cutout of a loved one’s foot size. This comes in handy if you’re filling a balikbayan box with pairs of shoes to send. The prices of imported shoes in the Philippines can be pretty steep, so sending those coveted kicks is always well appreciated. Scour through aisles at outlet malls or clearance racks of renowned brands, and you’re bound to spot a pair (or five!) for your loved ones back home. Sport sneakers and rubber shoes are always the best options because the variety and available choices abroad definitely trump limited racks in the Philippines’ metros. Some faves on wishlists include Nike, New Balance, and Kenneth Cole, as well as Michael Kors and Tory Burch for the ladies.
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10. Accessories for electronics
Actual electronics are a no-no in a balikbayan box. For one, gadgets with internal batteries—basically anything that’s rechargeable—are a potential fire hazard. Another is an issue of being pragmatic: It’s difficult to not show lamangan (comparing to each other) when you’re talking about items that cost several hundred dollars each.
What we do instead is pick up commonly used accessories with electronics. We’re talking about wired earbuds, USB hubs and splitters, charging stands, and streaming sticks.
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