SOUVENIRS. Who doesn’t love them? When I was a kid, it is already given that my relatives will give me a little keepsake from their trips. I think it is one way of encouraging the little one to explore the world once she grows up.ΓΒ I knew about the Australian animals like the platypus, koala bear, kangaroos and tazmanian devil because my uncle used to give me stuffed toys. Friends of my mom and dad who migrated to other countries sent postcards. I remember associating the Middle East with gold and carpets. My grandparents love to travel and their souvenir collection is displayed at home.
When I started traveling with my own money, I would buy keychains with the names of the placed inscribed on it. I also get the must-buy food delicacies from the area as pasalubong to my grandparents. I started collecting local items to give my mom and brother who are residing in the UK now.
Although I am not really a shopaholic, here are some of my most memorable travel souvenirs:
Bamboo Rainmakers from Palawan
As a token of appreciation, a resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan gave us this bamboo rainmaker as a souvenir. I really find the gesture sweet and I enjoyed my first ever Palawan trip with Ada and Shena. Did you know that I was supposed to move to Puerto Princesa for high school? That didn’t push through, but I was always curious about this part of Palawan. The trip is a smooth one – island hopping tours and food galore! We even saw the band Aegis perform live for free! It is one of the trips that proved that you can still travel even if you have a demanding full-time job. See, just staring at the photo brought back some lovely memories!
Mangoes from Guimaras Island
I know that fruits are edible, but I want to add this on my list! Mangoes from Guimaras Island are said to be the sweetest in the country. Export quality, ika Γ’β¬Λnga. What made this fruit treat special is that it is given to me by Kuya Cherald, a good friend of mine who is continuously making more visitors of Guimaras happy by giving them the best tour and souvenir photographs. Sweet!
Sarongs, Scarfs, Bags etc. from Davao
Mindanao has a lot to offer when it comes to handicrafts. Aldevinco in Davao City is a haven for collectors. When I went to Aldevinco for the first time, it was one of the rare moments where I wish I had more money to shop. The clothes, accessories and hand-made products made me feel proud to be a Filipino. I know that some of these goods are being shipped abroad, but I hope that our kababayans will support our local products. I have this dream of buying big statues to be placed in my soon-to-be opened resort. Owning it!
Tarsier Bonnet from Bohol
One of the items I bought supposedly for my brother, but I end up wearing and loving it! I giggled like an elementary student on a field trip the first time I wore it. Gallivanting in Bohol is much better with this hat! Touristy souvenir on a touristy photo ftw!
Souvenir T-Shirts!
I can say that T-shirts with the name of the place printed on it is the most wanted souvenir in the world. I have a friend who makes it a point to buy a shirt from every place he visits. I bought one in Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Camiguin and even Pangasinan! You know which one is my top favorite? This one is from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Check the photo below:
Nyahahaha π
I have this dream of buying more products from different parts of the country specifically Maguindanao and Ifugao. Who can send me a real-life size barrel man? LOL!
Let’s all travel, dance, collect souvenirs and make more memories! Mabuhay! π Sayaw-sayaw muna tayo!
Do you get souvenirs from your travels? Which is your favorite Philippine travel souvenir? Share your thoughts on the comments section! π
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This is my entry toΓΒ Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for July 2013 with the themeΓΒ Γ’β¬ΛMemorable Travel Souvenirs, Objects and Mementoes’ΓΒ hosted by Jun Baris ofΓΒ Galang Pusa.
Ahahaha! Winner talaga ang mga masasarap na pang gabing putahe sa Vigan!!!
Wen ah. Kakaiba na, masustansya pa LOL
I, too, love souvenirs. When I go places, by hook or by crook, even with limited budget especially when I’m on official trips, I would spend my per diem on souvenirs.
I feel it’s an achievement seeing my collection grow as I go to different places.
I agree with you, Ate Mitch. It will also be a good motivational push for the little ones to travel when they grow up π
love the purse
Woot! You like Imelda Marcos? π
I used to buy shirts with the name of the place printed in bold. but i stopped kasi nagtitipid. hehe. i rely mostly on photos na. π
I’m planning to print some of my travel pics din and place them in a ‘physical’ photo album para mas personalized souvenir sa sarili hehe π
I bought rainmaker keychains in Palawan for friends and colleagues here in London – on hindsight, I don’t think it’s a good idea coz the terrible here is bad (always gray and drizzling)! lol
Sarongs are very beautiful and useful souvenir mementos! CUte tarsier bonnet you have there Mica! π
Oh noes! Maybe those rainmakers are to blame on why we are experiencing a grumpy weather now lol π Thanks for the bonnet compliment hehe. Sarongs are light and very useful too! π
The rainmaker is really cool. I think I want one π
You must get one when you visit Palawan in the Philippines! π
Even us, we love to buys souvenirs, meron tlaga kami budget. Same here, we buy tshirts, keychains and ref magnets at iba pang anik-anik. These are worth memorabilia when you got old dba, so OA lang ayaw mag collect ng souvenirs.
I agree! Tumpak! π
I was excited to join the blog carnival, until I realized I’m not much of a souvenir shopper pala. #fail Love the rainmaker!
Never too late to start! π
wow, the beautiful, young imelda.
ano kayang feeling if you grew up and went to school in puerto princesa? parang wala na yung mga magagandang tanawin no?
anubeyen, bumibili nang pasalubong inaangkin naman hahahaha…
Siguro palagi akong may weekend trip sa iba’t ibang parte ng Palawan hehe π
I’m not a great fan of souvenirs, but love mangos! There are some cool and quirky gifts here though.
Mangoes are yummy! π I guess souvenirs can be bulky for long-term travelers
Oh, the memories! I used to get the souvenir t-shirts from the Philippines all the time when I was younger.. plus all of the counterfeit clothing haha. π
Good to know that π when was your last Philippine trip?
Souvenirs! My mum loves collecting magnets from different places π
I usually buy a T-shirt for myself and for the people at home would be locally made food goodies.