Tuesday, December 18, 2018

A New Concept Of Sending Packages To Another Country

By Douglas Mitchell


Earning a living in this modern era is varied as it comes. People all over the world engage in various activities that can earn them money for their effort. Often times people from other countries migrate to another for better employment opportunities. When they become financially stable they often send items to family members and relatives who are still in their parent countries. They send the items using the balikbayan box padala.

This carton receptacle is a manifestation of a cultural ambiguity of close family ties as it is known in the Philippines. It is a tradition in this culturally rich country. Even before this concept was implemented, it has been a practice as evidenced by invited guests to take home excess food during celebrations. When they travel to different parts of the nation, they bring home delicacies.

The practice of sending or bringing a home present when one comes from a travel is unique only to the Philippines. This nation archipelago of more the seven thousand islands has three main geographical subdivisions which are the main island of Luzon, Mindanao, and the smaller island at the center called the Visayas. Roman Catholicism is the main religion with Muslim influence in the south.

This state is a polyglot one. It has several linguistic dialects almost in each of the islands. Despite three hundred years of Spanish colonialization, these dialects are still being actively spoken to this day, only very few can actually speak Spanish. This unlike in contiguous lands that were conquered by Spain where local dialects were totally eliminated and Spanish is now the main language.

These influences were carried over with the increase in the number of workers going abroad seeking job opportunities, particularly in the United States. This started when America had a shortage of nurses of which the Philippines had plenty of. Most of the overseas workers eventually become immigrants and some are granted citizenship.

Filipinos are known to be very hospitable to strangers from other countries. More so among its own relatives to the extent that they really take time and spend money in sending presents to those left at home or they bring presents contained in balikbayan boxes when they visit the Philippines. This container is the recipient of many items and objects which will find its way to that nation.

Three hundred years of Spanish rule and fifty years of American occupation has made an impact on the Filipino psyche. The influence can no more be as opposite as black and white. It is like a mixture of oil and water. We are talking about hard religious fanaticism married to Hollywood liberalism. This unique trait made the government legislated laws for that made taxes and customs duties affordable to workers from abroad.

The concept was formulated in recognition of the economic contribution of these employees in terms of dollar remittances. Professional manpower has become a major export for this nation. There was a hitch to this program during the nine eleven terrorist attacks. In its aftermath, the homeland security department was created which strictly monitored and inspected these containers.

In its own way, it is a very unique type of package. This is only being done by one country as an expression of gratitude to the efforts of its overseas workers. But as in other places, these are sometimes subjected to pilferage when it goes through the bureau of customs or the postal service. It altogether is not uncommon to hear complaints of items being missing.




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