"Pasalubong" The giving of gifts.
Pasalubong is a very important Filipino custom....when a Filipino (male or female) travels or visits anywhere..it is common for them to remember family...even work colleagues and others with small low value gifts.. called Pasalubong.
There are shops in the airport..and in other locations deducated to Pasalubong.
That is because it is such an important custom...so much so that it is highly noticable although perhaps not openly commented on directly...if you do not take pasalubong for relatives...loved ones...or work colleagues...this is not to say that you have to spend milllions of pesos on Pasalubong.
Pasalubong can be almost anything...chocolates..biscuits...chinese umbrellas..figurines...souvenirs of travel...the list is endlesss...but Pasalubong is very important to the receiver...it tells that person that you thought of them...very similar to takeing flowers and chocolates in the UK...or perhaps a bottle of wine when you call on someone special...or maybe if you are invited over for dinner here in the UK.
Pasalubong then is a part of Filipino life and custom...as a Western man in the Philippines you need to be aware of this custom...as mentioned in other areas of the forum it would be appropriate perhaps to keep in mind that you may wish to obtain Pasalubong for most importantly your Filipina freind or fiancee..etc...maybe her immediate relatives...you do not have to go mad with spending...etc...as I said it can be almost anything..some chocolates...M and M's or something wrapped up in decorative paper or in a small gift bag can bring a smile to the receivers face..and endear you to them forever...
Just take note that Pasalubong is expected and appreciated by all in the Philippines.
I hope you enjoy this well known custom of Pasalubong in the Philippines..if you do pursue a relationship with a Philippines lady..no doubt you will come across this many times.
