"Pasalubong!” is what we often tell our relatives and loved ones when they are about to travel. It is natural for the Filipinos to be thoughtful and generous. The word is deeply embedded in the Filipino culture, connoting not only what we usually bring home, but the very notion of welcoming, “pagsalubong”, especially during the Holidays. 

Bringing home these treats is a sign that those left behind during the travel were remembered. These could be souvenir items from the place that one has been to. But the best of pasalubongs are the mouth-watering treats of delicacies and food products from a particular destination: sapin-sapin from Malabon, piyaya from Bacolod, durian from Davao, and many more.

But nowadays, these have evolved into what we can now call pasosyalubong, an amorous take on these treats being brought back by Filipinos to the world. This phenomenon is truly Filipino, and could be associated with balikbayans. 

Moreover, today the pasalubong has become “sosyal” or “sosy” (classy in English), because of their packaging. These mouth-watering food products do not only taste like heaven but are also elegant and in business sense, export quality. These are exquisitely packaged and are deliciously made with original recipes and quality ingredients, some of them coming straight from home kitchens. The culture of pasalubong has evolved through the years as their came new ideas and even greater demands. 

Salcedo Market is just one venue where pasosyalubongs are showcased. This market is a shopper’s paradise. It opens every Saturday at the Salcedo Park at the busy Makati Business District. It is like a bazaar with all the tents set up. Moreover, special products—be it raw food or homemade products—are sold at the Salcedo Market. One doesn’t have to go too far to get a taste of their favorite pasalubongs from all over the country. Filipinos, balikbayans and foreigners visit this market to get their favorites. 

A visit at the Salcedo Market is a discovery of some of the best pasosyalubongs that balikbayans and foreigners alike could buy for their loved ones. Of course, Filipinos never stopped craving for their old-time favorites. Nevertheless, balikbayans bring with them a taste of home to their loved ones they left behind abroad. And somehow, foreigners discovered the sweetness of the Philippines as they taste these delicious pasalubongs. 

These pasosyalubongs are authentic and original. Numerous stores at the Salcedo Market offer nothing but original delicious treats. Claudel Foods, for one, sells products from different regions in the country. “Our tag line is ‘Specialty foods from different places.’ We don’t limit our products with delicacies from Pangasinan and La Union. We have friends from other places who offered to sell their products. Our products are really authentic,” said Oscar Bananal, owner of Claudel Foods. 

Pasosyalubongs are also made with good quality, thus, these are made special. Rizal Dairy Farms offers all-natural food products to shoppers. “We don’t use preservatives, only organic ingredients. Buyers like our yogurt because it’s made from natural ingredients, unlike other brands,” said Christina delos Santos of Rizal Dairy Farms.

Likewise Gourmet’s also offers quality products. “Our coffee is delicious because it’s fresh. We have our own farm in Silang. We’re the ones who prepare the beans and grind the coffee,” said Marivic Apolinario, salesperson from Gourmet’s.

And so does the Filipino favorite, puto, from Michelle’s Homemade Putong Ube. “Everything is using quality ingredients. Everything is freshly made. We make sure that we don’t sacrifice the quality by using cheaper ingredients. It’s really homemade. It is made in our commissary at home,” said Michelle Reyes, owner of Michelle’s Homemade Putong Ube. 

Uniqueness also defines a pasosyalubong. Saint Mary offers one-of-a-kind products. “Balikbayans buy pastillas and bring these to the States. These are sugar-free and are made from carabao’s milk,” said Christian Garcia from Saint Mary. 

These are what the market demands. Pasosyalubongs are also packaged for the occasion. As pasalubongs also meant “presents” or “gifts”, La Cocina de Tita Moning offers their products in elegant packages. “We make our packaging colorful and attractive to match the occasion,” said Malen Hernandez of La Cocina de Tita Moning. Delicacies may be presented in a basket with colorful ribbons of green and red, which makes a perfect pasosyalubong this yuletide season. 

And most especially, these pasosyalubongs do not only introduce the place from where they come from, but also remind the buyer of home. “A lot of balikbayans who miss their putong ube and bring them to the states. A lot of our products are Filipino delicacies,” said Michelle.

These delicious pasosyalubongs do not only melt in the mouth but also melt the hearts of those who taste them. They revive memories of home. But other pasalubongs that are truly Filipino like weaved bags or bayong also bring back good memories. Gary Fajardo, an owner of a store which sells bayong and other weaved products at the Salcedo Market shared a heart-warming story.

“I would see people step out from a BMW. A good-looking guy comes here. He’ll pick up a bayong. He’ll hug it. I know there’s a connection between him and the bayong. And then I’ll approach the guy. ‘Does it bring back good memories.’ He said, ‘yeah, my parents used to send my clothes and money in a bayong.’ And then he’ll end up buying a lot. It feels good to see people look back to where they came from,” said Gary.

What makes pasalubong “sosyal” or classy is its originality, authenticity, uniqueness and elegance. But, indeed, what makes a pasosyalubong special is the memories that remind Filipinos of home. -end-