Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Balikbayan Box
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My Arizona-based aunt just got home a few days ago. Its been a family thingy that she goes home every three years. Armed with her luggage and her huge balikbayan box, we excitedly welcomed her back into our family again.
After all, Fil-Ams are still Filipinos. It doesn't matter if they have the twang that we home-bred Pinoys don't possess or they may have different citizenships compared to what we locals carry. Doesn't matter if they're first, second, third, or what-have-you generation, it is still a part of who they are as people. Why do they cheer like crazy over Pacquiao? Why are they subscribed to The Filipino Channel? Why do they care to visit Jollibee and Red Ribbon and shop at Filipino groceries? Cos its a part of who they are as people. They are still Filipinos.
Seeing my aunt laugh over Dolphy's decades-old kind of comedy, her excitement over the sight of lechon manok, her intent in indoctrinating herself over Wowowee or her using the tabo even if a shower head is available on top of the bathroom wall makes me feel good inside. You will always want to go back to your own roots. Like the balikbayan box, you would always love to be welcomed back by your family.
That's why I'm thankful for websites like BakitWhy.com and for any other website that celebrates overseas Filipinos for that matter. These sites help Fil-Ams get a better feel on how its like to be Filipinos still. It is like an online barrio wherein Fil-Ams get to interact with fellow Fil-Ams. It's like doing Bayanihan all over again.
This post was written by: Jerick Baluyot
Jerick Baluyot is a professional blogger, writer and digital marketing specialist. Follow him on Twitter
10 Responses to “Balikbayan Box”
May 12, 2009 at 7:45 PM
i just love the smell of balikbayan boxes
amoy imported, eh
hehe
May 12, 2009 at 8:23 PM
haha! amoy sabon kamo!
May 12, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Pssst! Padala ka chocolate dito! Haha.
May 12, 2009 at 11:00 PM
puro nga handbags sa mga kapatid ko eh. siyempre, girls. ako naman, 7 books.
May 13, 2009 at 1:33 AM
nakanang!
pengeng pasalubong!
May 13, 2009 at 1:35 AM
bakit parang baliktad ata. hahahaha!
May 13, 2009 at 7:43 PM
pssst!
sali ka sa contest ko!
dali!
=)
May 19, 2009 at 6:27 AM
insightful...i put you in my links (hope you don't mind). new @ blogging.
August 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Ang sarap nga ng feeling pag may nagpapadala sa iyo lalo ng kung galing ng ibang bansa. You are right Raft3r, I love the smell of balikbayan boxes too.
Daniel Roberts
August 10, 2009 at 11:22 AM
@balikbayan box and uprooted,
thanks for the visit!
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