The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Ya for Yema
Finishing our A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs series, let’s turn our attention to the yummy treat called yema.
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The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Wa for Walis
Souvenirs can be items that bear the unwritten trademark of a place. It’s a little bit like remembering Japan when you see sushi or Russia when you see fur hats. Nearing the finish line for our A Ba Ka of the Philippine Souvenirs series, let’s look at Walis. Wa for Walis It doesn’t matter where you are in the Philippines, as long as you are in one of the handicraft areas or dry goods part of the market, you are sure to find a store selling some walis. In English, “walis” translates to “broom.” Yes, the thing we use to sweep the floor is a souvenir. The popularity of brooms as souvenirs from the Philippines can be seen throughout social media and documented in many news reports. There are two types of common brooms in the Philippines. One is made of a bundle of sturdy palm leaf ribs, known to locals as “walis ting-ting,” and the other is a fan-shaped soft broom made of common reed, known as “walis tambo.” The latter makes a perfect …
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: U for Ukay-Ukay
The idea behind taking home souvenirs is somewhat similar to commemorating a special event. In the case of traveling and exploration, we, as tourists, tend to go about shopping for something that would remind us of our latest adventure. Of course, sometimes, we plan our travels according to a certain purpose. For example, we visit a place because they are famous for something that we are currently interested in. Let’s take a closer look at this topic as we continue with the “U” issue of the A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs series. U for Ukay-Ukay We know it all too well, the joy of finding a treasure at an affordable price. Yes, I am talking about thrift shops. In the Philippines, thrift shops are known to the locals as “Ukay-ukay” or sometimes just “ukay.” It came from the Filipino word “hukay” or “halukay,” which means “to dig,” and is somewhat similar to “to rummage.” Ukay-ukay is also known to the locals as “wag-wag,” which means “to vigorously shake the dust off of an item.” …
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Ta for T-Shirts
Often, souvenirs are a way to make a statement, an advertisement, or an invitation for more people to come over and visit. At times it is like a preview of what we could expect once we get there.
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Sa for Salakot
Aside from being a decorative piece, souvenirs can also be functional. Come to think of it, most of the time, these are everyday items used by the locals of the places we visit.
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Ra for Rattan
The rattan is one of the many versatile raw materials that can be found in the tropical country of the Philippines. This is why every time you go handicraft store hopping in your Philippine travels, you will see rattan products left and right.
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Pa for Perlas
It was 2006 when the biggest natural clam pearl in the world was found in the Philippines. For 10 years, it lay quiet under the bed of the fisherman who found it until he decided it was time to have the 34kg pearl checked out. The Pa article for the A Ba Ka of the Philippine Souvenirs series is all about pearls. Pa for Perlas “Perlas,” the Filipino term for “pearl,” is one of the most valuable natural resources of the country. In essence, the Philippines has long been known as the Pearl of the Orient or Pearl of the Orient Seas. While news such as finding the biggest pearl in the Philippines could either be a little intimidating or very exciting for pearl-loving tourists, there are many ways that we can take home pearls from the Philippines. If you are looking for pearl souvenirs in the Philippines, malls and specialty stores can provide you with a wide variety of authentic natural or cultured pearl items. Of course, jewelry tops the long list of pearl …
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: O for Orchid
I have recently found out that the Philippines celebrates the Orchid Festival around August and September. Incidentally, this is when the waling-waling blooms.
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Na for Niyog
Souvenirs can be about the innovation and ingenuity of the crafters behind each creative piece. It is entirely possible to come up with a whole line of products from just one type of raw material. Issue number 11 of the A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs series focuses on the various souvenir items made out of the hard shell of a coconut.
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Ma for Mabuhay!
The tenth installment for the A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs series is the showcase of various souvenir items that feature the Filipino greeting “Mabuhay!”
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: La for Laruan
“Laruan” is the Filipino term for “toy”. Toys as souvenirs are popular in many parts of the Philippines. Most souvenir toys are miniature versions of the real thing. When you go around the souvenir shops anywhere in the Philippines, you’ll find toy models of jeepneys in countless designs.
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: I for Itlog (Pula, Penoy, Balut, Bugok!)
Issue “I” for the A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs series is about a food item available in most parts of the Philippines — so these are somewhat a staple to the country.
The A Ba Ka of Philppine Souvenirs: Ha for Habi
Coins, I have lots of coins! They jingle and they are just everywhere in my purse–well, at least until I went to the nearest handicraft shop and bought a colorful purse of traditionally woven fabric!
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: Ga for Gitara
“Gitara” is the Filipino term for guitar. During the country‘s Spanish era, the friars brought over their guitars from Spain and introduced the instrument as “kitara,” which is the Spanish term for guitar, to the Island of Mactan.
The A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs: E for Espada
Most souvenirs have a certain character, story, and swag to it. These souvenirs not only remind you of the places you visit but also give you a glimpse of the rich culture and history that made it such a visit-worthy place. E for Espada Our fifth installment for the A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs series is a showcase of Espadas (swords) forged to protect the city it represents. No, locals are not selling swords willy-nilly! These are representations of the real deal. Espada is the Tagalog word for “sword”. It is one of the many Portuguese words that the nation has embedded in their language. The use of espadas in the Philippines as a weapon has long been shelved. However, some use espadas in their ceremonies as a symbolic element. As with ceremonies, espadas playing the role of souvenirs also stand as a reminder or representation for what has been. (I was so tempted to write, “representation of what went down.”) Whenever you visit Mindanao, head on over to their handicraft stores and marketplaces …
