I’ve come to understand that I am not naturally inclined to express my feelings verbally. Instead, I communicate my emotions in two ways: writing and food.
When I struggle to articulate my feelings through speaking, I turn to writing. And when words fall short, I use food to express my feelings. For me, these forms of expression help bridge the gap between my emotions and letting the people I care about know I care about them.
A synonym of thoughtfulness
I love pasalubongs or souvenirs particularly when they are food. For me, food has the same meaning as thoughtfulness and care—something I’ve learned from my family over the years.
As a big foodie since childhood, nothing made me happier than receiving food as pasalubong. Some of my fondest memories with my dad were his little surprises for me and my siblings whenever he came home from work. What truly made my day were boxes filled with fried, ring-shaped, sweet dough—our beloved donuts. Since then, I knew that his everyday take-homes weren’t just simply snacks; they were a daily reminder of his love and thoughtfulness.
My grandfather, once an avid cyclist, would often stop by our house on weekends after a trip to Bulacan. In his cycling pockets, he would take out a brown paper bag filled with puto, a special, steamed rice cake that comes in assorted colors. He’d picked them up from his favorite local delicacy stores along his cycling route.
Now that I think about it, I realized that while my family may not always express our feelings through words, we’ve learned to convey our affection through simple, meaningful acts of giving food as a thoughtful gift.
A synonym of gratitude
Food profoundly shaped my interpersonal relationships—it’s my most sincere method for expressing emotions that words often fail to capture. As a receiver, I see food pasalubongs as a definition of thoughtfulness; as a giver, I define it as gratitude.
I am not naturally adept at choosing gifts, but when I decide to give something, I always turn to food. For birthdays, I bring a cake, hoping it will express the warmth, affection, and gratitude I feel for the person celebrating another year of life. Whenever I receive a simple “Ingat ka pauwi” message from my parents while I’ve been away for the day, I show my gratefulness by bringing home their favorite cinnamon roll.
During a trip to Thailand, I struggled to find a meaningful souvenir for my friends. Sure, keychains and magnets would always be a go-to purchase, but I wanted something more personalized. As I wandered through the Chatuchak Weekend Market, I discovered local delicacy stores that sold treats I had enjoyed during the trip. I decided to create a gift kit—Thai milk tea bags, local candies, yogurts, and, of course, chocolates. It’s my way of saying thank you for their thoughtful “Have a safe flight” and “Come home safe” wishes.
A synonym of tradition
In Filipino culture where gift-giving is a cherished tradition, it's almost an unwritten rule that anyone traveling will return with gifts from their journey. This practice feels deeply ingrained in our Filipino heritage, reflecting our values of appreciation.
Filipinos working overseas would bring pasalubongs packed in a large Balikbayan box or spread across several suitcases. It often includes imported chocolates, bottles of coffee and creamers, packed herbs and spices, and even local delicacies from the country they’ve been to.
Food makes a wonderful pasalubong. It’s practical yet incredibly personal. When someone brings food as a gift, it's as if they are saying, “I thought of you while I was away, and I wanted to share something that I enjoyed and believe you will too.” It’s a tangible way to connect, sharing a taste of their experiences and a piece of their journey with the people they care about.
Food is a synonym for everything; more than nourishment, it’s a powerful symbol of many emotions and occasions. It can mean apologies, celebrations, or connections. There’s something uniquely profound about food—they have a remarkable ability to convey deep affection and strengthen bonds between people. Whether offered as a welcome, a thanks, a heartfelt apology, or simply connecting with others, food serves as a meaningful and expressive medium that transcends words.
