Philippine Souvenirs to Remember

SOUVENIRS. Who doesn’t love them? When I was a kid, it is already given that my relatives will give me a little keepsake from their trips. I think it is one way of encouraging the little one to explore the world once she grows up.  I knew about the Australian animals like the platypus, koala bear, kangaroos and tazmanian devil because my uncle used to give me stuffed toys. Friends of my mom and dad who migrated to other countries sent postcards. I remember associating the Middle East with gold and carpets. My grandparents love to travel and their souvenir collection is displayed at home.

I'm no Imeldific, but I want this bag as a souvenir! teehee
I’m no Imeldific, but I want this bag as a souvenir! teehee

When I started traveling with my own money, I would buy keychains with the names of the placed inscribed on it. I also get the must-buy food delicacies from the area as pasalubong to my grandparents. I started collecting local items to give my mom and brother who are residing in the UK now.

Although I am not really a shopaholic, here are some of my most memorable travel souvenirs:

Bamboo Rainmakers from Palawan
Bamboo Rainmakers from Palawan

Bamboo Rainmakers from Palawan

As a token of appreciation, a resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan gave us this bamboo rainmaker as a souvenir. I really find the gesture sweet and I enjoyed my first ever Palawan trip with Ada and Shena. Did you know that I was supposed to move to Puerto Princesa for high school? That didn’t push through, but I was always curious about this part of Palawan. The trip is a smooth one – island hopping tours and food galore! We even saw the band Aegis perform live for free! It is one of the trips that proved that you can still travel even if you have a demanding full-time job. See, just staring at the photo brought back some lovely memories!

Guimaras Mangoes c/o Kuya Cherald. Salamat! :D
Guimaras Mangoes c/o Kuya Cherald. Salamat! πŸ˜€

Mangoes from Guimaras Island

I know that fruits are edible, but I want to add this on my list! Mangoes from Guimaras Island are said to be the sweetest in the country. Export quality, ika Γ’β‚¬Λœnga. What made this fruit treat special is that it is given to me by Kuya Cherald, a good friend of mine who is continuously making more visitors of Guimaras happy by giving them the best tour and souvenir photographs. Sweet!

Aldevinco Shopping Center


Sarongs, Scarfs, Bags etc. from Davao

Mindanao has a lot to offer when it comes to handicrafts. Aldevinco in Davao City is a haven for collectors. When I went to Aldevinco for the first time, it was one of the rare moments where I wish I had more money to shop. The clothes, accessories and hand-made products made me feel proud to be a Filipino. I know that some of these goods are being shipped abroad, but I hope that our kababayans will support our local products. I have this dream of buying big statues to be placed in my soon-to-be opened resort. Owning it!

Bohol-Butterfly-Sanctuary5

Tarsier Bonnet from Bohol

One of the items I bought supposedly for my brother, but I end up wearing and loving it! I giggled like an elementary student on a field trip the first time I wore it. Gallivanting in Bohol is much better with this hat! Touristy souvenir on a touristy photo ftw!

Souvenir T-Shirts!

I can say that T-shirts with the name of the place printed on it is the most wanted souvenir in the world. I have a friend who makes it a point to buy a shirt from every place he visits. I bought one in Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Camiguin and even Pangasinan! You know which one is my top favorite? This one is from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Check the photo below:

Best Souvenir Shirt from Vigan. Mangan ka?
Best Souvenir Shirt from Vigan. Mangan ka? Ramanam ah! πŸ˜€

Nyahahaha πŸ˜€

I have this dream of buying more products from different parts of the country specifically Maguindanao and Ifugao. Who can send me a real-life size barrel man? LOL!

Let’s all travel, dance, collect souvenirs and make more memories! Mabuhay! πŸ˜€ Sayaw-sayaw muna tayo!

Do you get souvenirs from your travels? Which is your favorite Philippine travel souvenir? Share your thoughts on the comments section! πŸ˜€

~0~

PTB

This is my entry to Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for July 2013 with the themeΓ‚Β Γ’β‚¬ΛœMemorable Travel Souvenirs, Objects and Mementoes’ hosted by Jun Baris of Galang Pusa.

24 Comments

    • Senyorita said:

      Wen ah. Kakaiba na, masustansya pa LOL

      July 31, 2013
      Reply
  1. Mitchteryosa said:

    I, too, love souvenirs. When I go places, by hook or by crook, even with limited budget especially when I’m on official trips, I would spend my per diem on souvenirs.

    I feel it’s an achievement seeing my collection grow as I go to different places.

    July 29, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      I agree with you, Ate Mitch. It will also be a good motivational push for the little ones to travel when they grow up πŸ˜€

      July 31, 2013
      Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Woot! You like Imelda Marcos? πŸ˜€

      July 31, 2013
      Reply
  2. soloflightEd said:

    I used to buy shirts with the name of the place printed in bold. but i stopped kasi nagtitipid. hehe. i rely mostly on photos na. πŸ™‚

    July 31, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      I’m planning to print some of my travel pics din and place them in a ‘physical’ photo album para mas personalized souvenir sa sarili hehe πŸ˜€

      July 31, 2013
      Reply
  3. Catherine said:

    I bought rainmaker keychains in Palawan for friends and colleagues here in London – on hindsight, I don’t think it’s a good idea coz the terrible here is bad (always gray and drizzling)! lol

    Sarongs are very beautiful and useful souvenir mementos! CUte tarsier bonnet you have there Mica! πŸ˜€

    July 31, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Oh noes! Maybe those rainmakers are to blame on why we are experiencing a grumpy weather now lol πŸ˜› Thanks for the bonnet compliment hehe. Sarongs are light and very useful too! πŸ˜€

      August 2, 2013
      Reply
  4. AY said:

    The rainmaker is really cool. I think I want one πŸ™‚

    August 1, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      You must get one when you visit Palawan in the Philippines! πŸ˜€

      August 2, 2013
      Reply
  5. Sky said:

    Even us, we love to buys souvenirs, meron tlaga kami budget. Same here, we buy tshirts, keychains and ref magnets at iba pang anik-anik. These are worth memorabilia when you got old dba, so OA lang ayaw mag collect ng souvenirs.

    August 2, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      I agree! Tumpak! πŸ˜€

      August 25, 2013
      Reply
  6. Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com said:

    I was excited to join the blog carnival, until I realized I’m not much of a souvenir shopper pala. #fail Love the rainmaker!

    August 5, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Never too late to start! πŸ˜€

      August 25, 2013
      Reply
  7. Lakbay Diva said:

    wow, the beautiful, young imelda.

    ano kayang feeling if you grew up and went to school in puerto princesa? parang wala na yung mga magagandang tanawin no?

    anubeyen, bumibili nang pasalubong inaangkin naman hahahaha…

    August 10, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Siguro palagi akong may weekend trip sa iba’t ibang parte ng Palawan hehe πŸ˜€

      August 25, 2013
      Reply
  8. Iain Mallory said:

    I’m not a great fan of souvenirs, but love mangos! There are some cool and quirky gifts here though.

    August 11, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Mangoes are yummy! πŸ˜€ I guess souvenirs can be bulky for long-term travelers

      August 25, 2013
      Reply
  9. Kieron said:

    Oh, the memories! I used to get the souvenir t-shirts from the Philippines all the time when I was younger.. plus all of the counterfeit clothing haha. πŸ™‚

    August 14, 2013
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Good to know that πŸ˜€ when was your last Philippine trip?

      August 25, 2013
      Reply
  10. Bianca said:

    Souvenirs! My mum loves collecting magnets from different places πŸ™‚

    September 1, 2013
    Reply
  11. Tsada Speaks said:

    I usually buy a T-shirt for myself and for the people at home would be locally made food goodies.

    October 4, 2013
    Reply

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