My host family is a great example of showing care and hospitality through food. Although I live in a house separate from my host parents, I will often return to my kitchen to find that they have left me some fruit or eggs to eat. If I eat dinner with the family, they will ensure my favorite dishes are placed right in front of me so I can enjoy as much as I would like. My host mother cares so much about keeping me fed that she often jokes, “When you leave the Philippines, I hope you will be 10 pounds heavier!”
Gift Giving
Sharing love through gifts is very common in the Philippines. It is an especially great way to build connection with friends or coworkers that you have not spent much time with yet! Wrapped gifts are usually not opened immediately in front of the gift giver out of politeness, and gifts of food are typically offered to be shared with whoever is around.
When I travel away from my community for work or vacation, I will buy keychains, postcards or snacks to share with my host family and coworkers. These gifts and trinkets are referred to as "pasalubong" in Tagalog. Sharing pasalubong is great way to bring a part of your travels back home, particularly if you bring a piece of art or local foodstuff from where you visited. It is also a way to express that you were thinking of your loved ones while you were away!
Even if you are not traveling, periodic gift giving is a great way to express care. My supervisor loved to buy bags and clothing for the women in my office, especially from the ukay-ukay, second-hand clothing stalls like small thrift shops.
