The “Balikbayan” Box: The Love Language of Gift Giving

For Filipinos working and living abroad, aside from chatting over the phone, the only way to perform acts of love is through gift giving. It is one of the most effective love languages one can perform when far away from loved ones. 

The dictionary definition of the “Balikbayan” Box is: “a carton shipped to the Philippines from another country by a Filipino who has been living overseas, typically containing items such as food, clothing, toys, and household products.” Put simply, the Balikbayan Box contains various gifts from essential clothing or toys that a Filipino worker abroad send their family back home in the Philippines. That is what the “Balikbayan” Box symbolizes: the act of showing love by giving.

A "Balikbyana Box" which typically shows the information of the box provider and or address of the recipient in The Philippines

I remember receiving various Balikbayan Boxes from my mother growing up in the Philippines. At a young age of 4, I understood that my mother was trying to cover the distance between us by sending me clothes from Roots that say “Canada” and toys like Teddy bears and Barbies. I felt happy that although I could not be physically beside her, she always kept me in her mind and her heart. Aside from all the cool clothes and toys she sent me, my favorite part of the Balikbayan box was a picture and letter she would add with the box. Because there was no video chat back then, it was hard to remember what my mother looked like.

Years later, now that I see the arduous process of putting the Balikbayan Box together, I appreciate it so much more. The sala (living room) or dining room is often the place where the magic happens. Everything can be found in the sala from toys, canned foods, clothes, and essential items like lotion, Colgate, coffee, etc. These items are usually bought in sale and in bulk. It takes weeks to even months to put together. It can be exasperating how messy the process is because the price to send back home can be costly. You have to make every corner of the box count. Every gift in the box is carefully chosen and put together.

Fellow Filipinos understand the messy process so it’s not hard to bring them in as visitors but friends who may be foreign from the process of putting a “Balikbayan Box” together might get the: “Sorry, the house is messy because…,” before walking into the door. As people who value hospitality and love to host visitors, the process of putting the Balikbayan Box can be annoying. Please do not ask why there is a can of luncheon meat underneath the coffee table- it might put someone over the edge.  The process is messy as much as it is time consuming and expensive. However, the smiles and laughter you receive from the video call as your loved ones open their Balikbayan Box makes every struggle worth it.

You'd typically see a balikbayan box in a living room or bedroom, sometimes beside piles of empty shopping/grocery bags

Living abroad can be lonely and alienating when away from loved ones. Sometimes the feeling of wishing that family was closer and could experience all the lovely things living in Canada allows us to experience can only be alleviated by pouring your heart into a box of gifts for them to enjoy. To me, that is what the Balikbayan Box symbolizes. It’s a box that brings us closer together in spirit. It’s Filipino workers abroad saying, “I wish you were here” and “I’m thinking of you” without words. Simply put, it’s a symbol of love. 

Please note: The photos shown in this article are used solely as an example and for educational purposes only. Pictures are owned by their respective owners and Woods & Crafts are not affiliated with any entities shown on the photos.