Let go of excess baggage for the trip | The Manila Times

Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

ONE of the Filipino balikbayan's sweet traits is bringing home "pasalubong" to everyone — from family members, friends, neighbors, and even high school or elementary classmates — name it the pinoy balikbayans have it covered. Now this good and kind practice creates a challenge when trying to fit everything on the baggage limits for travelers when one realizes that it simply is nearly impossible to fit everything in one go. However, this is when the Filipino ingenuity comes out in its fines! You will see them at the airport desperately trying to reduce the weight of her suitcase at check-in by layering himself or herself with clothes — jackets, scarves, two hats and even socks over her sandals! Pockets in all three jackets will be filled with candies, chocolates and even (not so) small items intended as take-home gifts for the awaiting family and friends. Sometimes an entire family would look like they are going to climb Mount Everest instead of going on a 16-hour-long trip to the Philippines.

You might think to yourself that this story is funny because of how accurate it is. Either you once traveled the same way in the past, or you probably benefited as the recipient of the gift of a heavy traveler. Funny as it may be, what is equally true is that we can do the same with the emotional and spiritual baggage that we carry with us moving into the long trip of this new year.