Balikbayan Boxes

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Lots of good info here . I'm hoping I can find a way to forward boxes from here in Wichita. There are a lot of Asian markets here and I have a lot of Vietnamese friends so I'm hoping they have a way. It is very special when they get a package there. When I send anything to my wife, half the barangay escorts the delivery guy to her door .

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

I just want to say something regarding "Sending Money is better than sending a box full of stuff"...

Mind you I don't want to start a debate on which is better or the merits of either side because this really isn't about that, it's about understanding & respecting your spouse's cultural background.

There is a lot more to "Balikbayan" than can be conveyed in words. Here is a good attempt to capture it though:

Balikbayan

It's not uncommon for a family member to spend decades working overseas only returning home every 5 years or so and then staying for a matter of days or a week at a time. Children being raised by Lola while Mom or Dad or both are somewhere else working to support them is as much a part of their reality as baseball and 1 hr commutes to work is ours.

So many seem to think that the Overseas Filipino becomes a money conduit to the family back home and they miss what's really happening. Family ties are so strong that the Filipino maintains an emotional connection across the seas which eclipses any amount of money that could be sent.

The reason those Boxes are loved so much is because they are packed with LOVE from a family member who will never forget those they left behind (for whatever reason).

We'll send 2 boxes a year to our (marry a Pinay and you've married her whole family) family in Pinas. She spends months collecting things to stuff the box full of. Anything that we don't need anymore does in the next box. She's looking forward to weekends filled with garage sales so she can fill the boxes. Of course Mom wants SPAM & Corned Beef (apparently it tastes better when it's free) and some products that are readily available to her locally. American candy is a favorite for everyone of all ages.

Is it annoying when I find another stash of BB Box stuff in the closet or library, only slightly. Is it cute to see her get excited about being able to do this for her family, it's awesome.

So if you're thinking about it from a financial sense then you'll never get it. It's about respecting her culture and becoming part of it.

Just send 1 box a year and you'll be fine, sure it would be nice to not waste good money on shipping the box and send the cash instead but it really just isn't the same to them.

FWIW, we do send her Mom money on a regular basis also...

Edited May 17, 2010 by Bob 4 Anna

[SuperDuper! 230]

Lots of good info here . I'm hoping I can find a way to forward boxes from here in Wichita. There are a lot of Asian markets here and I have a lot of Vietnamese friends so I'm hoping they have a way. It is very special when they get a package there. When I send anything to my wife, half the barangay escorts the delivery guy to her door .

I love the Christmas-day-like excitement surrounding the B-Box. I get more than half the fun just packing and decorating (the interior) the box.

Kevin, have you checked out Forex for your area?

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Thanks Hopp, sadly the closest is in Houston. I suppose I could see if one of the freight companies here would ship it to them. I think the minimum's are pretty reasonable these days...dunno. I could do their online shopping but that's pretty much the same as just calling Filgifts. I need to get MY package delivered first though!!

[joe_guillen 0]

Thanks guys for the feed back, I also send money when needed. My mother in law is very trusted member of the family. But I would like to send them a BBox. Not only that but now I wont need to have a yard sale...haha. I will cal Sal 2marrow thanks again guys

[TOM&Riz 4]

I just want to say something regarding "Sending Money is better than sending a box full of stuff"...

Mind you I don't want to start a debate on which is better or the merits of either side because this really isn't about that, it's about understanding & respecting your spouse's cultural background.

There is a lot more to "Balikbayan" than can be conveyed in words. Here is a good attempt to capture it though:

Balikbayan

It's not uncommon for a family member to spend decades working overseas only returning home every 5 years or so and then staying for a matter of days or a week at a time. Children being raised by Lola while Mom or Dad or both are somewhere else working to support them is as much a part of their reality as baseball and 1 hr commutes to work is ours.

So many seem to think that the Overseas Filipino becomes a money conduit to the family back home and they miss what's really happening. Family ties are so strong that the Filipino maintains an emotional connection across the seas which eclipses any amount of money that could be sent.

The reason those Boxes are loved so much is because they are packed with LOVE from a family member who will never forget those they left behind (for whatever reason).

We'll send 2 boxes a year to our (marry a Pinay and you've married her whole family) family in Pinas. She spends months collecting things to stuff the box full of. Anything that we don't need anymore does in the next box. She's looking forward to weekends filled with garage sales so she can fill the boxes. Of course Mom wants SPAM & Corned Beef (apparently it tastes better when it's free) and some products that are readily available to her locally. American candy is a favorite for everyone of all ages.

Is it annoying when I find another stash of BB Box stuff in the closet or library, only slightly. Is it cute to see her get excited about being able to do this for her family, it's awesome.

So if you're thinking about it from a financial sense then you'll never get it. It's about respecting her culture and becoming part of it.

Just send 1 box a year and you'll be fine, sure it would be nice to not waste good money on shipping the box and send the cash instead but it really just isn't the same to them.

FWIW, we do send her Mom money on a regular basis also...

so very much right on the money Bob, it's like getting a card with money on your birthday, just not the same as a hand picked well thought out gift from the heart -

Kevin you may want to check on some companies that use fed ex like Aero send ww.aerosend.com 97 lbs for 97 dollars picked up from your door to pinas door

[sofieP 0]

My name is Sofia.for my fellow filipinos especially in indiana, ohio, east of illinois, and kentucky. We do send balikbayan boxes to the Philippines, since we are authorized agent of LBC, so rest assured our balikbayan boxes are in good hands. As for my personal experience i've tried 2 forwarders and both of them took months and the latter one took 6 mos. considering it's the most common use forwarder.which i am dissapointed then I found LBC and the last box i sent to Philippines and considering I live in Mindanao area took only 6 weeks.I am pleased with their service and now I am doing it. and their services are great LBC have always had good reputation.prices ranges 85-95 $.Give me a call sofia or jason 765-346-3697.Thanks.

[calibob 73]

My name is Sofia.for my fellow filipinos especially in indiana, ohio, east of illinois, and kentucky. We do send balikbayan boxes to the Philippines, since we are authorized agent of LBC, so rest assured our balikbayan boxes are in good hands. As for my personal experience i've tried 2 forwarders and both of them took months and the latter one took 6 mos. considering it's the most common use forwarder.which i am dissapointed then I found LBC and the last box i sent to Philippines and considering I live in Mindanao area took only 6 weeks.I am pleased with their service and now I am doing it. and their services are great LBC have always had good reputation.prices ranges 85-95 $.Give me a call sofia or jason 765-346-3697.Thanks.

On LBC, we're sending one this weekend from CA to Manila and it is packed with love and hopefully going to make a school girl very happy to start the year. (Full of goodies for school and such). Sent things via LBC before and have had zero problems with the service.

Bob

[Caryh 5,206]

We have both LBC and Forex in the area here, Minneapolis/St Paul. I think one of them sends the box for $90 and the other $110. As other have mentioned, its not the cost, its the fact you send something. I think Forex is better known in the Filipino community here, but you can ship cheaper through the store that sends via LBC. I only found out LBC was in the area when I noticed the small sign in the only Filipino grocery in town.

[Brent & Lei 0]

my wife has warned them not to violate my trust and so far, no problems. the tuition is bigger money so we electronically deposit it into the school's bank account.

one time, my wife's mother was in the hospital and i joked with my wife that i wanted pictures before sending a penny.

:rofl: :rofl:

[dvdm 2]

This is your balikbayan box cargo agent in Kentucky... great place! https://mybalikbayan.wixsite.com/mybalikbayanbox

[dvdm 2]

On 5/17/2010 at 5:21 PM, joe_guillen said:

Thanks guys for the feed back, I also send money when needed. My mother in law is very trusted member of the family. But I would like to send them a BBox. Not only that but now I wont need to have a yard sale...haha. I will cal Sal 2marrow thanks again guys

https://mybalikbayan.wixsite.com/mybalikbayanbox great agent for Balikbayan Box shipping

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

2 hours ago, dvdm said:

https://mybalikbayan.wixsite.com/mybalikbayanbox great agent for Balikbayan Box shipping

You know you responded to a 5 year old thread right?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Heck this topic was started 8 years ago (2010).    

[dvdm 2]