Pasalubong: Gifts From The Motherland

Some of the things my parents brought back from their trip to the Philippines.

This suitcase is an example of pasalubong. Like its cousin, the balikbayan box, the return pasalubong consists of magazines, clothes, food, and beauty/health products. The return pasalubong is doled out to the various family members back home to let them know you didn't forget about them.

This suitcase of goodies unfortunately was only for two people- my aunt and uncle. In the picture it takes up a whole suitcase (and there was more not in the picture), but in reality it was dispersed in all four of the checked baggage. It took up so much space that my parents ended up leaving a lot of their clothes in the Philippines, and they hardly shopped for themselves (or anyone else), because there was no more space. I'm sorry, but that is messed up.

Plenty of dried shrimp, fish and squid from the dried fish market in Cebu. My mom visited the same place that was featured in the No Reservations: Philippines episode. The seal on those bags looks questionable, and I wonder if the dogs at the airport got curious.

Another treat from Cebu, Otap. It's a biscuit with sugar on top. I don't really care for it, but it's one of those things you get when you're there. Shamrock is the brand I'm most familiar with, but I'm sure there are plenty of smaller brands.

White King baking mixes and baking tins for Bibingka. White King is sold here in the States, but I guess my Mom figured she was there, it was cheap, why not. Sames goes with the tins... I saw something similar when I was in Chinatown, but I like the ones from the Philippines better.

Malagkit, or sweet black rice. What is it used for? Biko, for starters. And for Puto Bongbong, the Christmas/Simbang Gabi staple.

Sago, or tapioca pearls. Sago is readily found in most Asian markets, but my family really likes this brand. Imagine bubble tea with tiny tapioca pearls? Cute!

I'm not sure why my mom bought the artificial banana flavoring, but meh... it's from the Philippines! The bamboo on the right is for the Puto bongbong steamer. Apparently you just butter up the inside and stuff it with the malagkit and X minutes later, yum!