What should you buy as gifts when traveling to the Philippines, what is famous in Philippines to buy and what to buy in Philippines as gifts or souvenirs? Let’s check out the list of must buy in Philippines including best Philippines souvenirs, best gifts from Philippines, best souvenirs from Philippines, best things to buy from Philippines, best things to buy in Philippines, things to bring back from Philippines, cheap things to buy in Philippines suggested by Klook as follows!
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The island paradise of the Philippines is one of the best tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, attracting millions of visitors every year. When traveling to the Philippines, you will be able to enjoy the blue sea, golden sunshine, fresh forests and impressive entertainment spots.
However, besides the concern about travel experiences, what makes many people wonder is what to choose to bring back as gifts for relatives and friends. How to choose gifts that both express your heart and are imbued with Philippine culture? If you are still having a headache thinking about it, then refer to the list of Philippine souvenirs below from Klook!
Now, check out these Philippine specialties and souvenirs that are loved by travelers!
Mother Of Pearl – Traditional Mother Of Pearl Masterpieces In The Philippines (#Must buy in Philippines)
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Since the 6th century BC, Filipinos have known how to craft Nacre, also known as mother of pearl. This craft has been passed down to this day while retaining the characteristics of ancient techniques. Mother of pearl is the inner layer of seashells, which can be used to make jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, pendants, etc. Small, delicate jewelry made from mother of pearl is very popular with tourists.
In addition to jewelry, mother of pearl is also used as tableware, or used to make jewelry boxes, makeup kits. The shiny surface of mother of pearl will make everyday objects more luxurious and high-class.
Although mother of pearl products are not too cheap, they are a more economical choice compared to pearls and other rare jewelry. You can consider choosing suitable mother of pearl products to decorate your home, or give to your loved ones!
Traditional Embroidered Clothing of the Philippines
Embroidery is one of the important traditional crafts of the Philippines. The art of Philippine embroidery is world-famous, has a long history and is the quintessence of the wisdom of the ancient Filipino workers. The diverse embroidery techniques, sophisticated weaving patterns, exquisite colors and styles have made Philippine embroidery handicrafts famous all over the world and loved by everyone.
Filipiniana and Barong Rental in Intramuros
The traditional costumes are the Barong Tagalog, a hand-embroidered shirt for men, and the baro’t saya for women, usually made from piña fabric made from pineapple fibers. This is a symbol of Philippine art and is often used for formal occasions.
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The Callado, a hand-embroidered cotton garment for women, featuring elaborate guipure details, also makes a great gift. In addition, short-sleeved OloBarongs, suitable for casual wear when traveling, are also a reasonable choice.
Sungka Toys – Philippine Souvenirs for Kids
When traveling to the Philippines, you can bring back an interesting and local souvenir: Sungka toys. Sungka, pronounced “soong-kah”, is a traditional Filipino game, quite similar to the “o an quan – Mandarin square capturing” game in Vietnam.
The game takes place on a long wooden board with 9 holes. Each player has seven small holes in the front and two large holes at both ends of the board. The shells are divided equally into 14 small holes. Players will take turns throwing pebbles or shells into the holes on the wooden block, the goal is to collect the most shells in their pile.
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Sungka is a unique souvenir that belongs to Philippine culture. Not just a toy, Sungka is also a way for friends and family to have fun together, creating beautiful memories.
Philippine Eagle Souvenirs – Symbol of the Philippines
The Philippine eagle is one of the largest and rarest eagles in the world, with only about 400 pairs remaining on four islands in the Philippines. This species of eagle is endangered due to habitat loss and conflict with humans. To help protect this rare bird, you can visit the Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao, which is working to restore the population of this species.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation is not only a place to admire the majestic bird, but also an ideal destination for souvenir shopping. The foundation’s shop offers items such as Philippine eagle teddy bears, T-shirts, and hats, all featuring the image of this special bird. Buying a souvenir from here not only helps you preserve memories of your trip but also supports the conservation of the rare eagle.
Kubing Traditional Musical Instrument (#best souvenirs from Philippines)
Music has always been an important part of local culture, no matter where you are in the world. And in the Philippines, you can find traditional instruments to bring the distinctive music of this island paradise home.
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A popular musical instrument that you can easily bring home is the “Kubing”, or jaw harp. It is made of bamboo and is about 25 cm long, so it is easy to pack. It is played by pressing the lips together and plucking the head to produce sound. In indigenous culture, Kubing is often played during courtship, or during traditional ceremonies.
Kubing is a suitable gift for family, friends and colleagues who love music. You can find Kubing in local markets and handicraft stores.
Traditional Filipino Sweets
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Sweets are easy souvenirs to bring home and are a great way to show your friends and family how much you care.
One of the favorite sweets is polvoron, a soft and crunchy cookie that comes in different flavors such as milk and coconut. Choc Nut, a chocolate candy bar mixed with peanuts, is loved by children and adults. Pastillas de leche, soft and sweet milk candies, are ideal gifts for those who love sweet flavors. Sweets like otap, a spongy and crispy puff pastry, or buko pie, a creamy coconut cake, are also great choices.
These products can be found everywhere in Manila, from street markets to souvenir shops. Usually, the prices of these sweets are also very affordable, so you can buy them for many people.
Lambanog Coconut Vodka – A Favorite Philippine Specialty
Produced mainly in Quezon province, Lambanog is a strong liquor made from coconut water, with a high alcohol content, usually around 80 to 90 proof. Coconut water is harvested from the coconut flower, then fermented into tuba, and then further distilled to create Lambanog.
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Lambanog is not just a liquor, but also a part of Philippine culture. In Quezon, drinking Lambanog is often a social activity where people come together to enjoy alcohol and share stories.
You can find Lambanog in many souvenir shops and supermarkets across the Philippines, with different flavors such as cherry, jackfruit, apple, orange, strawberry, bubblegum, mint, etc. Try bringing home a bottle of Lambanog to share with friends and family, and experience the unique taste of the Philippines together!
Piña Fabric
Piña fabric is an ideal souvenir when you travel to the Philippines. Made from pineapple peel fibers, Piña fabric is known for its soft and transparent properties, giving a light and airy feel. This fabric is often woven from pure pineapple fibers or blended with cotton and silk, creating products that are both beautiful and practical.
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Piña fabric can be used to make cheongsams, shirts or other costumes, often embroidered with elaborate motifs. Piña products can be quite expensive, but there are also more affordable blends that are more convenient for gift shopping.
To buy Piña, you can visit stores like Kultura Filipino in Metro Manila, which offers high-quality Piña products. This gift is not only beautiful but also shows your appreciation for the recipient.
Bayong Handwoven Palm Bags
Made from palm leaves, Bayong were once commonly used in traditional markets to carry goods. Today, Bayong have been modernized and transformed into fashionable and practical bags for everyday life.
You can find Bayong in many different styles and colors, from simple bags to elaborately decorated bags with hand-embroidered motifs. Bayong are a great souvenir to show respect for Filipino culture and craftsmanship. You can buy Bayong at souvenir shops, shopping malls, or order online from local manufacturers and retailers.
Choose a Bayong that suits your style and bring it back as a gift for your friends and family!
Types of Fruit Jams in the Philippines
Fruit jams are a popular and beloved souvenir in the Philippines. Among them, ube halaya jam, made from yam, is a famous specialty of the Good Shepherd Convent in Baguio. Ube halaya jam has a sweet, creamy taste and a distinctive purple color, produced according to a secret recipe since 1976.
In addition to ube halaya jam, you can also find many other types of fruit jams in the Philippines, such as strawberry jam, mango jam, papaya jam, etc. These jams are usually made from fresh, delicious fruits, have natural flavors and can be eaten with many dishes such as bread.
You can buy fruit jams at souvenir shops, supermarkets, or candy stores all over the Philippines. Try different types of fruit jams and find your favorite to bring back as a gift.
Salakot Hat Philippines
The Salakot hat is an extremely useful item when traveling to the Philippines, and also a suitable gift for you to bring home. The Salakot hat is conical in shape, similar to many hats of Southeast Asian cultures. The main use of the hat is to protect against the sun, and is often used by people when working outdoors, fishing, or going on picnics.
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Salakot hats come in a variety of sizes and styles, from simple hats to elaborately decorated ones with hand-embroidered motifs. Salakot hats are a meaningful souvenir that represents the beauty of Philippine culture. You can find Salakot hats in traditional markets, supermarkets, or souvenir shops throughout the Philippines.
Jeepney Models
Jeepneys are a typical public transportation in the Philippines, made from military jeeps left over from World War II. Jeepneys have become a cultural icon of the Philippines and an indispensable part of the daily life of the locals.
Jeepney models are miniature replicas of real Jeepneys, made from various materials such as plastic, metal, or wood. You can find toy Jeepneys models in a variety of sizes and styles, from compact vehicles to larger vehicles with intricate details. Jeepney models are great souvenirs for kids and Filipino culture lovers.
Kalibo or Caticlan Airport to Boracay Transfer
You can buy toy Jeepney models at souvenir shops, toy stores, or traditional markets all over the Philippines. The price of toy Jeepneys ranges from 100 to 1500 PHP, depending on the material, size, and style.
Banig Products
If you are looking for a gift that is both beautiful and useful, you can refer to products from banig. Banig is woven from natural grasses such as Tikog and Romblon in many beautiful colors and patterns.
You can find many different Banig products, from floor mats, table mats, bags to other handicrafts. You can give Banig mats to people who love simple and natural home decoration style, or those who love traveling and camping. Banig bags are a unique choice for those who love unique fashion.
You can buy Banig at handicraft stores, traditional markets, or souvenir shops all over the Philippines. The price of Banig is very affordable, ranging from 100 to 500 PHP.
Dreamcatcher – Philippine Souvenir for Decorators
Dreamcatcher is a popular decoration, made from a circle of woven bamboo and decorated with feathers and beads. Dreamcatcher originated from Native American culture, with the use of sleep and chasing away bad dreams.
In the Philippines, Dreamcatcher is considered a beautiful souvenir with special meaning. You can hang Dreamcatcher in your house for decoration, or hang it in your bedroom to have good dreams. Dreamcatcher is also a meaningful souvenir to give to friends and family, showing your care and affection.
You can find Dreamcatcher in souvenir stores, traditional markets, or handicraft stores all over the Philippines.
Philippines Fridge Magnets and Keychains
Keychains and fridge magnets are popular and cute souvenirs in the Philippines. You can find them everywhere, from shopping malls, shops to small street stalls.
Keychains are usually made of wood, metal or plastic, with different shapes and designs. The keychains often feature local symbols such as islands, dolphins, seashells, starfish, palm trees to famous dishes such as chicharon, squid balls, pig’s feet, longganisa, lechon. Fridge magnets are also very diverse, from images of sailboats, electric guitars, seahorses, whale sharks, slippers, jeepneys.
Keychains and fridge magnets are compact, easy to carry and affordable souvenirs, suitable for giving to friends and family.
Caticlan Premium Private Transfers from Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (MPH) to Boracay
The Philippines is a tourist paradise with many exciting activities and beautiful landscapes. In addition, there are also countless specialties here for you to bring back as gifts for relatives and friends. You can choose to buy beautiful mother-of-pearl spoon sets, fashionable Bayong palm bags, or traditional Philippine candies and musical instruments as gifts for your loved ones.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Boracay you can refer to
- Boracay Tour Package (Island Hopping)
- Boracay Sunset Cruise Experience
- Godofredo P. Ramos Airport Transfers for Boracay (Shared or Private)
- Boracay Parasailing
- Shared Kalibo International Airport Transfers (KLO) to Boracay
- Boracay Helmet Dive Experience
- Upperhouse Spa Experience at The District Boracay
- Boracay Paraw Sailing
- Boracay Sunset Paraw Sailing
- Shared Kalibo International Airport (KLO) Transfers for Boracay by Southwest Travel
- Station X Experience in Boracay
- Boracay Helicopter Tour
- Boracay Island Half Day Tour
- Klook Pass Boracay
- UFO Inflatable Activity in Boracay
- Boracay Jet Ski Experience
- Boracay ATV and Buggy Car Adventure
- Boracay Cruise Experience
- Sunset Party Cruise in Boracay
- Boracay Sunset Cruise with Kayak, Paddle Board, and Mermaid Tail
- Boracay Sunset Paraw Sailing
Are you looking for more top things to do in Philippines: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out at here.