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Few minutes after I woke up yesterday morning, I heard the door bell rang. Then I saw someone was at the gate asking for my wife. As I approached him, I also saw a delivery truck; I knew it was the package from my in-laws that we were expecting.
I guess giving pasalubong or padala from someone abroad to their families and relatives here in the Philippines is one unique Filipino trait that we had been used to. And my relatives abroad and in-laws are not an exception.
Go to an arrival area of any airport and you’ll see a balikbayan box from a Pinoy definitely. Only Pinoys aren’t satisfied with just luggages; there has to be those boxes! In fact, some business-minded individuals have been so creative in producing zippered nylon bags that can cover and protect these balikbayan boxes.
I remember my aunt in LA used to keep balikbayan boxes in their garage that we saw when we were there several years ago. We’re told that she continuously add things to those boxes bought whenever they’re on out-of-season-sale from branded shops and factory outlets and in groceries in California. A balikbayan box usually contains samu’t-sari – from clothes and toiletries to chocolates and cans of spam and corned beef, lol. 
Upon seeing it, our preschooler son, Gabby became too excited to open this huge heavy box. However he had to wait until the day’s over.
After dinner time, as my sister-in-law came over to get her family’s share, my wife Tina and Gabby finally opened the box with the usual stuffs, properly labeled with the names to whom the things are due. It has towels, T-shirts, pants and shorts, perfumes, make-ups and toiletries, a mobile phone, and yes, canned goods and coffee! :D
It was the first time Gabby witnessed the opening of a balikbayan box and he was delighted with what he saw inside…
These were just a fraction of its contents. Of course, what caught my attention were the yummies that are enough to keep us hyperglycemic for few weeks months, lol. :D
I know everything should be consumed in moderation otherwise, a visit to the dentist might be inevitable.
I love pistachios (even as an ice cream flavor), so glad a big pack was included in the box. I also like those microwavable popcorns; too bad our oven retired from its service that we have to buy another before we get to enjoy those snacks get to pop.
I can’t blame my son for being so excited with all these sweets that he got from his grandparents… And have I told you that I like those Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Mini Chocalte bars?
It’s not that recipients of a balikbayan box cannot afford to buy these stuffs here (defensive, lol), but the gesture of sending some things to your love ones and receiving gifts are sweeter than a box’s contents.
The package contained sweet candies and stuffs that anyone can buy, but my son’s joy that came with it was priceless!
OPINION COUNTS…