Bringing gifts to our loved ones back home after a trip, or—if you’re an Overseas Filipino Worker—when coming home for vacation has become part of the Philippine culture. Many Filipinos and OFWs give friends and relatives bags of pasalubong as part of courtesy and respect.
According to University of the Philippines anthropology professor Dr Nestor Castro, in his interview with BBC, the pasaubong ritual is traced back to the pre-Historic era, when early Filipinos engaged in long-distance and long-term trade—making it important to bring home something for their loved ones.
“The word ‘pasalubong’ has its roots in the word salubong, which means ‘meet’ or ‘welcome’,” he said.
One major reason for giving home pasalubong is the principle of reciprocity—wherein if you receive one, you are expected to give one as well. Sociologist Dr. Mary Racelis said in the interview with BBC that it reinforces friendships and connections, and makes the recipient think you have thought of them while you’re away.
Pasalubong: A toxic culture?
However, many consider the pasalubong culture as something that has become toxic today. Many friends and distant relatives heavily expect gifts even if they themselves haven’t given these OFWs or returning Filipinos pasalubong before.
In a survey conducted by The Filipino Times, through its poll segment “Tanong ng Bayan,” more than half of OFW netizens answered that they would not waste their hard-earned money to buy pasalubong for their friends, much less those who they are not really close with.
According to Cezz Gatchalian Urbino, gifts are not the sole basis of a real friendship. “Ang tunay na kaibigan, kahit walang pasalubong, magkita lang kayo, sapat na,” she said.
Netizen April Divinagracia, said that she has learned not care about what people will think if she didn’t bring home pasalubong. “Kapag uuwi ako, iniisip ko kung paano ako gagala kasama ang family, hindi ko na iniisip mga iniisip ng mga tao sakin,” she said.
Blessy Adan Agra also said that people expecting gifts are quick to get mad for not receiving them, but don’t think about the blood and sweat an OFW sheds abroad. “Kapag ba naubos pera sa pasalubong, may mga tao ba na magpapakain sa’yo at sa pamilya mo? Malamang wala naman,” she said.
For her part, netizen Aisha Muhsin said she no longer bothers to buy pasalubong because people tend to judge whatever she decides to buy. “Kahit may binili kang pasalubong, magrereklamo pa. Sasabihin pa ‘di original ang binili mo, umasa sa original porket daw nasa abroad ka na,” she said.
Principle of reciprocity
On the other hand, there are still Filipinos who prefer to bring home gifts for their friends—and it’s mostly in line with the principle of reciprocity mentioned by Dr. Racelis.
Netizen J-Zy Marz said, “Ako bibili ng konting extra para doon sa mga nagbibigay sa akin noong sila ang umuuwi.”
Netizen Eva dela Cruz said she likes to give pasalubong to friends and relatives who used to give them gifts when they were the ones who came from abroad.
“Masarap din magbigay sa mga taong naging mabait naman sa akin noong mga panahong sila ang may kakayahang magbigay. Give and take lang ‘yan,” she said.
