Balikbayan boxes represent the strong love and care between Filipinos living overseas and their families back home.
Filled with essentials, personal items,and thoughtful gifts, they are sent as acts of support and affection.
They reflect the hard work and sacrifices made by Filipinos abroad and the deep emotional connections that keep them tied to their homeland. A balikbayan box becomes a powerfulsymbol of generosity, family, and enduring relationships.
However, balikbayan boxes also tell a deeper story.
They point to the larger historical and economic forces of imperialism and colonialism that shaped theFilipino diaspora.
The practice of sending these boxes traces back to Filipino workers leaving the country, many of whom left because of economic struggles rooted in colonial history.
Many OFWs (“Overseas Filipino Workers) work under tough conditions with limited rights, often in service roles in wealthier countries. The contents of balikbayan boxes—branded clothing, gadgets, and snacks—often reflect a preference for Western goods, a legacy of colonialism that shaped Filipino consumption and lifestyle.
This reliance on foreign goods, often from Western countries, is a result of colonial economies that historically benefited imperial powers; it’s a modern reflection of neocolonial structures, where wealthier countries still benefit from Filipino labor.
When you purchase one of these ceramic balikbayan pieces, you’re not just getting a beautiful item rich in Filipino symbolism. You’re also engaging with the deeper history behind the tradition of balikbayan boxes, a tradition tied to resilience, sacrifice, and cultural identity.
I invite you to purchase my ceramic balikbayan pieces, not just as cultural token, but also as reflections on the deeper cultural and historical implications of what they symbolize: piece of art that carries both personal significance and a story of resilience, sacrifice, and identity.
I hope you decorate them with flowers.
