BALIKBAYAN BOX

Literally translated Repatriate box (return to homeland) has many uses and intentions. Many Filipino stores carry them and they come in several sizes. Some are suited for air travel which benefit the whole family back home for Pasalubong. Most boxes are put in container ships and lack a solid delivery date. 

Balikbayan business started in the 1980's. Monet Ungco founded Port Jersey Shipping in NY year 1981 and two months later Rico Nunga started  REN international in California. Many more have come and gone, some unregulated and un-trustworthy. Pilipino American Shippers Assoc. (PASA) was created to help government and consumers in policing the industry against unlicensed companies. 

Last January my wife and I sent off our first Balikbayan box. As I write this article it's journey is not over. That's right almost five months later the box has not reached its intended destination. 

Here's the story of our box. 

We welcomed our very first box into our home back in June of 2012. Written on it was the shipping companies name Eng Hua. It became the name of our beloved box. Eng Hua sat in the corner all summer long hungry for merchandise. We fed and fed Eng Hua till it was stuffed. It had a bit of everything in it. Items from Walmart, this mart, that mart. I can say Eng Hua was having a good life, though; I was growing tired of its presence and wanted it gone. Unfortunately we began to neglect Eng Hua in preparation of our soon to come baby. Finally in January of 2013 Eng Hua feeling lonely got sent off to join many other boxes in a nice comfortable container. We thought 2 to 3 months Eng Hua would meet its new family. We called and texted and emailed to find its where about but  nobody knew. OMG, Eng Hua must of been kidnapped!  We began to get worried. It has been almost 5 months. After calling several times we got someone who told us it was already delivered and gave us a name of a person we do not know. I was told they will investigate and call me back next day. They did not call. I called again and she said we did not forget you we are waiting for an email from another representative. She hung up. My wife calls next and got a number to the office in Davao. Turned out to be the wrong number. Called back and they gave her a second number. Called second number and that person said "oh yes it will be delivered on Sunday". Sunday came and no delivery still. Called them yet again to inquire and was given a third number to call. Called it and Lord have mercy we got a person who knows how to communicate. Yes your box is here he said. My wife ask if this is an office. He said no its a house. So here sits Eng Hua all alone again in a strangers house. The guy said we are waiting for more boxes to come before we make a delivery. They have to pay to cross on the barge since its an island. The crazy thing is, the box is only 30 minutes away from final destination. But I know one day it's gonna get there.