I typically grew up in a family with a diligent working father
who oftentimes has something for his four children when he comes home from job
during Fridays. Anything, it could be small
goodies or ordinary candies, an ice cream or something that doesn’t cost much
but at least enough to please his eyes when he sees the delight from the face of
his children. It was a bit generous if
payday, I remember once he gave me a two feet Batman toy balloon while in other
circumstance my sister had her doll that she really loves. It could make use of to buy other for family basic
needs like food or pay the bill but in my young mind then, I think my father
was instead merely flattered in giving something for his children. That seeing his children uproarious in joy
has no price that can pay. You cannot
replace the significant symbolic moment with any amount of money.
When I grew up and had able to work on my own, I took the
turn to give back by bringing something to my nieces and nephews. Anything, it was just anything that will be undoubtedly
pleased by any kids like sweets, school supplies, promotional toys from famous
children’s favourite food chains, etc.
Like my mother, I knew how did it feel when you were trying hard to save
your minimum wage but when you’ve seen the thrill on the face of the innocent
children who have no idea how hard you worked your pay up to the last single
cents, you will feel incomparable the joy you are receiving and giving to the
children. And it felt so good to know
they are relentlessly waiting for me every night, making me rushed to come home
because I know someone or two, or three children are keenly waiting for me who will
not go to bed until I come and I don’t want to fail them. And I was lucky, I was able to feel the gratifying
joy that my dear father had felt when he was giving us something during
Fridays.
This has nothing to go far and differ from homecoming goodies
or present (pasalubong). Pasalubong
is a distinctive Filipino tradition of having something to bring gifts from
their trip to the people back home, be it from neighbouring and distant places
in the Philippines or from anywhere in the world. It is usually trivial things like clothing,
ornaments, souvenir or novelty items, handicrafts items, toys, sweets and
native delicacies or native products from region or country where the traveller
came from. Giving it a significant
touch, it can be unique or original items or goods that are hardly found
anywhere that when seen can give immediate identity of the region to conclusively
say someone have been there. It is like
if bringing home some piyaya will mean it’s pasalubong
from someone who came from Iloilo, binagol from Leyte, durian from Davao,
otap from Cebu, or macadamia nuts from Hawaii.
A person travelling to Pampangga may bring back with longganisa while
from Baguio is walis tambo and from Batanggas is lanseta.
We as Filipino, it is an inborn trait the thoughtfulness we
have in our big heart to give something to our families, friends, relatives or even those non-relatives that we feel especially
close every time we go and come back. Who
doesn’t want to receive? It is always
flattering. Pasalubong is usually small thing but the sense it brings to the
person who receives is tremendously bigger than itself. And what better way to
give pasalubong if you personally
think of it. True, there is nothing
sweeter than any gift when it is thought-out.
Just now while I am drafting this writing, I realized the dismay feeling
of a friend working in other country whom I made visit without anything to
give. During that time, I had just no
idea that as a first-timer who will heading other country for a visit should
preferably has something to give because I thought it is the other way
around. For that I was accused thoughtless
in friendship which I fully felt bad. Today,
in emphasizing the value of giving pasalubong
or any plain giveaways that I have received through the years, I would like
to express my heartfelt appreciation to my friends who exerted efforts and find
times to give me something from their vacation. Thanks to the never-ending Boy Bawang, Super
Mani, Polvoron, Durian tart, etcetera. I
am a sentimental person and anything that is given to me is a treasure that I
always keep in my pouch, my mind, my heart.
By
Alex V. Villamayor
April
3, 2015
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