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Tips To All Balikbayans to the Philippines  My dear friend, Gemma, Malambing2 Malambing2 requested me to create a thread regarding tips to All Balikbayans who've been away from RP for a long time. Well, since July 11, 1991, I've been "home" to RP several times, specially when my only / was still there, but I went straight to Mactan International Airport for easy and hassle-free entry. So, when I decided to visit RP again after 8 years (2002), I made some plans prior to that and being the VIRGO that I am, I am usually organized, but I still learned a lot from my recent trip. I tell you, it's nice to visit our original country, and see new and old friends, relatives and loved ones, but it is very tiring, and it's never without a mishap. I'll give you some tips and I am requesting the other readers to contribute some suggestions to all those who are planning to travel back home to our BELOVED PHILIPPINES.. Just call me ELZ  |
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7/26/2009 11:41 pm |
Well, first of all, you should be physically, emotionally, and financially prepared when you want to go back home to RP after a long time of absence from our Motherland. How much money are we talking about here? I'd say, it's individual preference and capability to spend. Of course, your personality and generosity level also counts. Just call me ELZ
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7/26/2009 11:44 pm |
For someone like me who wants things organized, and in details (although pumapalpak pa rin), I normally make a checklist of THINGS TO DO which guides me daily and I normally start planning at least, 2 months prior to homecoming.. Just call me ELZ
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7/26/2009 11:47 pm |
I list down the names of people who are in the Priority List, and make allowances to all the "on the spot" encounters. What that means, is that, I try to start buying/packing simple stuff for "pasalubong", and if you want brand names and not indulge into too much expenses, just buy things when they're on SALE, little by little. Always check the qualities. Just call me ELZ
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7/26/2009 11:49 pm |
There are usually a lot of used items and clothings and even brand new but unused ones that we don't like anymore, so, we list down the names of the persons we give them to and make sure, we cross them out from our original THINGS TO DO LIST to avoid confusion and duplication. Just call me ELZ
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7/26/2009 11:53 pm |
I normally buy Balikbayan boxes ahead of time, and each day, I put something there. I advise everyone to use the VAC-PAC so that you utilize all the spaces in the "unlimited" Balikbayan boxes, but I warn you to make sure that they are not too heavy to destroy/rip the boxes prior to delivery. So far, in my experience, FOREX has been very reliable to me, as all my packages reached the destinations intact, and complete, and on time. Just call me ELZ
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7/26/2009 11:58 pm |
In my case, I have two more brothers and a sister in RP. My other elder sister is here in the USA as well. So, to avoid jealousy, comparison and whatever (although, at times, it's still unavoidable), I pack the stuff inside the boxes, by family. That way, I won't have to open in front of ALL of them altogether. I just let them wait for me to arrive, and I let them carry their own boxes and open each of them inside their homes (makes sense ha?) This is my way of making sure they don't fight in front of me, because the other has a better brand or quality or whatever!..Hehehehee! I learned from my previous experiences, so..there you go! Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:05 am |
I have another box for distant relatives, friends and neighbors. But that's just me...You can do things your way. This month, I bought chocolates and candies worth $300 and I personally packed them nicely and gave away to our neighbors' children. We live in a barrio where there are quite a bit of less fortunate children who have not tasted the imported chocolates. So everyone was happy and had their early TRICK 'or' TREAT...or say, Christmas gifts.  So, our servant helped us distributing the sweets..You should see the BIG smiles on those kids lips...HEAVEN!You don't have to do that. I FEEL for those kids, and I know, what I gave them is nothing compared to what I am being blessed...It's good to share. Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:09 am |
What are things that you may want to buy? AGain, it all depends on who you'll give them to. Expect dissatisfaction from time to time...There are people who don't appreciate what you give them, as if it's you're obliged to give them anyway. You cannot please everyone. But most of them are appreciative. Women like make up, and number one that they use is LIPSTICK....hehehehe...I know. So buy dozens of them! If you can afford the expensive brands, why not? If they're from WALMART...so be it! Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:11 am |
Perfumes are appreciated too. Then, towels, T-shirts, souvenirs from the STATE you're coming from, refrigerator magnets. etc. Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:12 am |
BLUE SEAL cigarettes, I used to buy by reams and send them via BBayan boxes, but now, no more...I want people to quit smoking, but you may if you want... Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:16 am |
Typical balikbayan stuff for family members would be canned goods, bar soaps PX shampoos, hair products like dyes, gels, but make sure double tape or pack them well or else, they will make a huge mess inside your boxes..! Suffed toys for kids. Cars, toy guns, and if you are loaded, you can buy them electronic toys...BUT I WARN YOU! NOWADAYS, YOU HAVE TO DECLARE ANY ELECTRONICS INSIDE YOUR BBAYAN BOXES as they randomly X-ray them too, and will slap you with fine or confiscate your stuff. Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:19 am |
When you're about to leave already, make sure that you have "loose" dollar bills with you or better still, if you have lower denominations of pesos already handed down to you by previous BALIKBAYANers, that would help. People expect you to give TIPS...Come on! don't be stingy! You don't want to give them the bigger bills only for them to tell you that THEY DON'T HAVE CHANGE...hehehehe.. what are you gonna do?Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:23 am |
Make arrangements for your ride when you reach your destination. Do not ride on any unmarked vehicle or suspicious taxi drivers. You never know what's gonna happen to you. If you are being picked up by a friend, PLEASE OFFER TO PAY GASOLINE, and if they seriously refuse, then take it as they mean it or they have the means. Other than that, BE NICE! and observe visitor's etiquette. Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:28 am |
Always be on guard, and watch your luggages/boxes. Don't dress up as if YOU'RE FILTHY RICH...You're inviting yourself a lot of trouble. I normally wear only rugged jeans and comfy step-in or slippers. Beware not to wear expensive jewelries (or NO JEWELRIES)..save that for special occasions in safe places. Alam nyo, maraming PASIKATERAT PASIKATERO sa mga kababayan natin...regardless kung anong mga trabaho nila sa abroad, SUPER PASIKLAB pag-uwi. Hay naku! For me, if you have it, you don't have to show off, unless of course, MAYABANG ka talaga... Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:32 am |
Depending on your budget and itineraries. I suggest, you stick to your plan. Remember that more than likely, you will foot the bills when you eat out, but in fairness, there are those naman na talagang even in their simple and low budget, they make you feel like a visitor. It's your money, it's your vacation, DON'T LET ANYONE DICTATE WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND HOW MUCH YOU SPEND, AND HOW TO SPEND IT! Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:37 am |
If you have your own home or you have close friends and relatives who invite you to stay with them, PLEASE DON'T BE A BURDEN...Give money for groceries, and offer to pay for the gasoline, the electricity, and utilities. I normally check-in to a nearby reasonable and comfortable hotel. I do not want to cause stress to my hosts, and I want my space and privacy too. I will sleep and rest when I am tired, I will go out whenever and wherever I want not wanting to be left at anyone's mercy for a ride or for them to tell me I CAN SLEEP AND REST NOW or whenever the room is finally available...oh!oh! oh!  Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:42 am |
It so happened that I had a humble beginning, so when I go home, I already expect relatives to visit me to ask for pasalubong and will tell me all the SAD STORIES in their lives...You know what that means? They need financial help...No, I don't turn them away, but I give only a humble amount not wanting them to go empty handed. I work so hard for money and I don't want them to think that money abroad is just being picked from the trees. Believe you me, I have a stashed amount of money for that too. Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:44 am |
I normally just stay 2 weeks for my RP vacation, but this time, I planned to go other places and see more people I have not seen yet or have not visited in a long time. That also serves as my break from the monotony of non-stop draining of my pocket at home... Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:46 am |
In fairness, I usually make people happy, and they give me stuff, specially things in kind, and THEY MAKE ME FAT! WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!  Doble indulto!...Broke ka na, TUMABA KA PA! huhuhuhu!Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:48 am |
You know what's nice about giving? People are so happy they give you food from the time you wake up in the morning, till midnight....may snacks ka pa rin ...And mind you, PAMPAMAGA`(salty) or VERY SWEET naman yung inaalay nila sayo... ..Kaya, by the time you'll return abroad, BOMBO ka na!  Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:49 am |
Oiiist! THIS IS NOT a MONOLOGUE!..These are TIPS...but you can react or suggest many more things aside from what I write here...Let's exchange notes... Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:51 am |
Beware of pickpockets! Pinoys are very good in slashing or snatching your valuables...Ang pagsisisi daw ay laging nasa huli...Don't be a statistic!  Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:53 am |
If you have friends or relatives who have cellphones which are pre-activated in RP, use them, and just buy the load online or as soon as you get to the Phil. Airport..It's good to have a means of communication already. Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:54 am |
But please, be careful when you use your cellphone in public...the next thing you know, your cellphone is also stolen or snatched! tsk!tsk!tsk! Just call me ELZ
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7/27/2009 12:59 am |
I also advise you guys, specially if you are travelling from one place to another and you need porters/cargadors...pls. be reasonable (if not be generous) with your TIPS...Kasi minsan, your baggages are heavier than the porter and then you give them only P20 susme naman! I had 2 suitcases with me each time, and the least that I gave the porter was P100, that's just $2.25, and that means a lot to them already...One kilo of rice and a 1/2 kilo of fish na yan! Just call me ELZ
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