Food and beverage gifts from Fil-Am businesses and traditional souvenirs from the Philippines
Though the past year has been challenging, the holiday season is an opportunity to show support for small Filipino American businesses and restaurants in the community, as well as to deliver some joy to family, friends, coworkers and others on your shopping list. Twelve food and beverage gift options from Fil-Am businesses promise to pack in rich Filipino sweet and savory flavors. Purchasing a gift card to your favorite Fil-Am restaurant, which likely has had to minimize operations to takeout and delivery due to stay at home orders, will go a long way in helping keep it afloat, while giving someone on your list a dining experience to enjoy from their homes.
Edible Holiday Treats and Tasting Experiences
Aside from a prepared meal, several Fil-Am chefs, restaurants and shops are offering edible holiday treats and sets that go beyond the traditional gift basket, and are available regionally or can be shipped nationwide. These food and beverage gifts from Fil-Am businesses deliver tasting experiences at home.
A Complete Holiday Destination: Shopping in the Philippines
Philippines is a complete holiday destination. The physical beauty, cultural heritage, and shopping experience all together help the tourists to enjoy a memorable trip. One of the best ways to get a slice of your holiday destination back with you home is to bring a souvenir that reminds you of it. Philippines is a fantastic shopping destination because it offers a wide range of reasonably priced products. Also, one can choose from a balanced mix of modern and traditional items while shopping. From malls to local retail shops, you can pick up the goodies of your choice.
Top Souvenirs to Buy
Here is the list of souvenirs to buy from Philippines:
- Filipino Pearls: Surrounded by the sea on all sides, it is no surprise that the white and golden pearls are one of the most sought-after items in the Philippines. These jewels extracted from the sea's depths are one of the finest in the world.
- Dried Mango: These packaged delights are tangy and delicious for snacking at all times. It is a healthy, chewy snack and not too dry.
- Guitars: For music lovers, colorful guitars are a wonderful souvenir to bring back home. Filipinos enjoy their music and have a knack for playing the guitar well. One of the best-known brands is the Alegre guitar which is authentic and of good quality.
- Ube Halaya and Jam: Ube is a purple yam that is boiled, mashed, and used in various sweet dishes in the Philippines. The one handmade by the sisters of the Good Shephard Convent in Baguio is the best.
Souvenir Pricing and Locations Data
Below is a summary of the approximate costs and top locations for popular Filipino gifts:
- Pearl Jewelry: 100-1500 PHP | Locations: SM Megamall, Ayala Center Cebu, Alabang Town Center, Greenhills Shopping Center in Manila.
- Dried Mango: 50-70 pesos per packet | Locations: Supermarkets, grocery stores and local shops.
- Guitars: 300 PHP to 30,000 PHP | Locations: RJ Guitar Center (Manila), Alegre Guitars (Cebu), Susing’s Guitar (Cebu).
- Ube Jam: 200-250 PHP | Locations: Good Shephard Convent and supermarkets across the country.
Cultural Shopping in Intramuros
For a more historical experience, visit the souvenir gift art shop on general luna Street of Intramuros city. You may find decoration and interior antique items, as well as local toys and handcrafted handicrafts. This location is popular for Filipino people and travelers foreign select product and gift in intramuros square at Maynila.
