Why do Filipinos ask for "pasalubong" (souvenir gifts)? They always seem to want chocolate!
I've lived in several Asian countries, but I've never experienced people begging for gifts like this...
Filipinos always ask for chocolate, though. And chocolate is cheaper in the Philippines. It's not like they want better stuff like Godiva or Lindt, either. They prefer cheap brands like Mars or Hershey's.
It's ironic that the Philippines has its own chocolate. Auro, for example, is really good! It's much better than that terrible Hershey's. But it's mostly sold to foreigners as souvenirs, and Filipinos aren't interested in their own chocolate. They want Toblerone. When I asked, they said imported stuff is traditionally considered better.
There's no filter. Filipinos express their feelings and desires openly. There's no cold restraint or quiet reserve. It's not like they're British or German. Among friends and family, there's no filter. It's not about the price, it's about the thought. They like brands they know.
It's just because *pasalubong* is Filipino culture. Filipinos value close family ties, bonding, and sharing. Pasalubong is a symbol of care ("I thought of you while I was away"), a way to share the experience of where you've been, and a way to strengthen relationships. It can be a souvenir or a gift, and it doesn't have to be "chocolate." That's all! It's culture!
My wife and I brought a lot of Halloween candy and gave it to her family in the countryside. Each household got a bag the size of a Costco bag, and I was shocked when they finished one whole bag in one sitting.
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