Balikbayan

Balikbayan is a Filipino term that refers to a person who returns to the Philippines after living or working abroad, or a person of Filipino descent visiting the country. The word combines balik, meaning "to return", and bayan, meaning "nation" or "country". In common parlance, balikbayan also describes the balikbayan box, a large corrugated box used by overseas Filipinos to send gifts and household goods to relatives in the Philippines. These boxes are typically packed with clothing, toys, consumer electronics, food items, and personal effects, and are shipped via courier or freight services. The practice is part of a broader phenomenon of long-distance family support in the Philippines, where remittances and goods from migrants help sustain households and communities.

Balikbayan boxes are often treated as personal shipments and may be exempt from certain taxes or duties when declared as personal effects, subject to customs regulations. The boxes serve both practical and symbolic roles, enabling families to receive material supplies while maintaining ties with relatives abroad.

The balikbayan concept reflects the country's large overseas workforce and reliance on remittances. It also shapes social networks, travel patterns, and cultural exchanges, including visits by returning residents during holidays or special occasions. Related terms include Overseas Filipino Worker, diaspora, and remittance.