Traveling The Balikbayan
Way
January
2008
Filipinos
are among the world’s most seasoned and generous travelers.
We fly around the world, bringing tons of pasalubong to family
and friends.
It’s no wonder the Balikbayan box has become an important
currency of travel, as well as a cultural icon.
Its sheer number overwhelms airline check-in counters, yet
everyone admires its packing efficiency and handling properties.
Of course, we like to pack as much as humanity possible into our
Balikbayan box-- constantly putting things in, taking things out, and
weighing our box over and over again.
With the Balikbayan Box Cover, it’s a breeze.
Just zip it up and go.
No tape, no rope, no hassles.
 
Now
just because you have this cover doesn’t mean you have mastered the art of
packaging it the Balikbayan way.
Here are a few things you should know:
- Pack the heavy items on the bottom first.
This includes your canned goods and books that can serve as a strong
base for the rest of your cargo.
- Wrap the breakables with your clothes or any other
soft material that can take the impact off those perfume bottles.
- Stuff all empty containers with other items.
If you are taking a bowl home, make sure you put something inside of
it to save precious space.
- Save room for those last minute requests from
relatives. “Can you take
these padalas to my mom in the Philippines?” Of course, there’s always a space for friends.
- Save room for those impulse purchases on the way to
the airport, be it an extra box of chocolate or another Johnnie Walker.
- Use Zip lock plastic bags for bottled liquid products.
If you have squeezable plastic containers of saline solution, squeeze
the air out before packing them.
- Use double-walled boxes. They provide better protection from the steel-toed boots
of baggage handlers.
- Bring a
back-up person to the check-in counter.
In case your box is overweight, you can unpack the non-essentials and
give them to this person to take home.
- Get someone to help you weigh your box.
Have a friend step on the scale with and then without the box while
you take down the readings. The
difference is the weight of your box.
- Zip up your Balikbayan Box Cover and you’re done!
There’s no need to worry about your box being overweight at the
check-in counter. If the weight
reading at the airport is a few pounds over, all you have to do is unzip
your cover, and hand-carry those few extra cans of corned beef!
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