Filipino travelers, the Balikbayans and the 'Pabalik-baliks' are a funny group. You will see them in airports anywhere around the world with their heavy hand carries. Yes, the 'pasalubongs'. Coming from abroad they bring home everything. The left overs, the hand-me-downs, the second hands which they distribute to their relatives and friends upon arrival.
The relatives and friends, in turn, offer them welcome parties left and right and prepare local delicacies and locally made materials for them to bring back home. This time they carry everything, from a piece of wooden curving to a metal marble "almeres". They buy cheap house dresses and other cheap what-have-yous, which ordinarily are taken for granted by permanently staying Filipinos.
They of course laugh at themselves and at being Filipinos. When properly encouraged they start confessing the "honest" truth. How difficult actually life in the state is, how hard they also have to work there, how they secretly wish they could spend more vacations in the Philippines.
Anyway, every time they come to the Philippines for a visit they can always manage to present a happy face and project a seemingly happy life. Happiness is home.
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