99% Invisible

Balikbayan Boxes

Dec 21, 2022

Gabrielle Berbey, a reporter known for her insightful storytelling, dives into the heartfelt tradition of Balikbayan boxes, which connect Filipinos abroad to their families back home. She reveals the emotional weight these boxes carry during the holiday season, showcasing personal stories that highlight the joy and anticipation surrounding them. The discussion also touches on the impact of Philippine history, particularly during the Marcos era, and explores how these boxes symbolize enduring love, longing, and the complexities of migration.

36:57

Creator website

Episode guests

Gabrielle Berbey

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Heart of the Balikbayan Box

10min

The Marcos Era: Struggles and Strategies

7min

Balikbayan Boxes: Symbols of Love and Longing

8min

Balikbayan Boxes: Love Across Borders

6min

The Cultural Journey of Spam

8min

Reflecting on the Podcast Journey and Upcoming Series

3min

This time of year, right in the middle of the holiday season, there's a beloved, frenzied tradition playing out in Filipino households all around the world, with which reporter Gabrielle Berbey is intimately familiar. A Balikbayan box is a huge cardboard box (often weighing over 100 pounds) that Filipinos living all over the world send to family members who are still living in the Philippines. The word Balikbayan literally means homecoming in Tagalog.

Balikbayan Boxes

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