Balikbayan box
A balikbayan box (literally returnee's to one's homeland box) is a ubiquitous corrugated box containing any number of small items and sent by an overseas Filipino known as a "balikbayan". Though often shipped by freight forwarders specializing in balikbayan boxes by sea, such boxes can be brought by Filipinos returning to the Philippines by air.[1]
These boxes might contain nearly anything that can fit and that the sender thinks the recipient would like, regardless of whether those items can be bought cheaply in the Philippines, such as non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, electronics, toys, designer clothing, or items hard to find in the Philippines.[2]
A balikbayan box intended for air travel is designed to conform to airline luggage restrictions and many Filipino stores carry them. Some boxes come with a cloth cover and side handles. Others are tightly secured with tape or rope, and thus not confused with an ordinary moving box more lightly wrapped.
Shipped boxes are delivered directly to the recipient, nearly always the family of the overseas Filipino.
Part of the attraction of the balikbayan box is economic. If the items were sent individually or in smaller boxes through postal services, the cost could be significant. The tradeoff is a long transit time by container ships, typically taking several weeks, and the lack of a solid delivery date.
Another part of the attraction is the cultural expectation that returning travelers will bring gifts to family, friends and colleagues left behind in the Philippines. In this way, it is related to the practice of "pasalubong".
Balikbayan box started with the law enacted by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcus during the 1980s during the resurgence of Filipinos working overseas. The Philippine Bureau of Customs Circular allowed the entry of personal goods to the Philippines from Filipinos overseas, tax free. This was done by asking friends and co-workers who are coming home to the Philippines to bring home some gifts to their loved ones in the Philippines.
The balikbayan box business started in 1981 in Los Angeles, CA by Mr. Rico Nunga who at that time was working in a shipping company and started REN International. Mr. Nunga brought up the idea to Mr. Monet Ungco who at that time was based in New Jersey, who put up Port Jersey Shipping.
Balikbayan Box shipping has evolved and in 1989, Manny Paez of Manila Forwarder offered a bigger balikbayan box and coined it jumbo box. After typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines, Manila Forwarder introduced a re-usable shipping container called Bianca and Roland Shipping drums.
See also
References
- ^ del Barco, Mandalit (2005-12-23). "Gift Boxes Help Migrant Filipinos Keep Ties to Home" (radio). Morning Edition. National Public Radio.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Ly, Phuong (2004-12-24). "Money Is Not Enough at Christmas". Washington Post. p. B05.
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