A malong would be nice. If you're into knives, get a balisong if NZ allows it. Get carvings from the cordillera region. You can find lots of those in Market Market and in Tiendesitas

I would recommend Kultura which is available in SM just to warn you that things are a little bit expensive. I like their kalesa and jeepney replicas. The good thing is they have a lot of items and of course the convenience especially if you are staying here in Metro Manila.

The giant wooden penises that double as an ashtray in Baguio are hard to find.

Get a bunch of those barrel men. Gave one to one of my friends in LA and he loooved it.

If your friends are fellow Filipinos, local delicacies would always be welcome. For the Kiwis, maybe some knickknacks and keychains featuring PH locations? Apologies, I based this off of my own souvenirs that I bought for my officemates. But if it's a close group of friends with mixed races, it'd be best to get them something similar - so no drama.

Where in the Philippines would you be visiting? Speciality regional cuisine can vary from place to place.

Bicol Express, lechon kawali, laing

How did your visit go? What brings you to the Philippines ? :)

If you don't mind me asking, where in Africa are you from?

Try Laing

Something sweet: Tablea, local chocolates from Auro, Malagos, Theo and Philo, etc., Piaya, Banana chips Something savory: Tinapang bangus (from Rosario, Cavite), Dried tuyo or Tinapa flakes in olive oil (jars from grocery), Baliwag chicharon

You can always check Kultura, any grocery, nearby palengke hehe

Mga colleagues ko na Chinese and Singaporeans love Goldilocks Polovoron - safe choice kasi una maganda packaging as is, 2nd is halal (for my Muslim friends) and lastly, nasasarapan sila lalo na sa yellow.

Kapeng Barako, Cacao (nibs, tablea, chocolate bars, etc), Yema, Pastillas na gawa sa fresh milk i think Iya's yata yung masarap, oraro cookies (may masarap sa Quezon na brand mabibili sa mga pasalubong shops sa Lucena), broas, barquillos, turones de kasuy, mga local na tea (like salabat, lemongrass, pito pito, etc.), sa savory naman mga iba't ibang klase ng longganisa, bagnet, tapa na cooked na then frozen ilalagay sa vacuum sealed bag and yung bag na pang frozen may nabibili naman nun para super sealed sha. Dami pa iba. Nag crave tuloy ako!! Hehe 🤭

Mango jam, ube jam or fudgee bar

Kultura is my go to. Daming options

A safe bet could be wooden kitchenware or house decor. My mom would take a quick trip to SM department Kultura section to find souvenirs for friends she'd visit overseas.

As a Batangueña, Kapeng Barako from Batangas would be nice. Bili ka na lang ng nice na pinoy inspired na container or hand woven bag. 🙂 I brought this to my future Canadian in laws and they loved it.

I’ve never been back in PH for a long time, but we usually buy pearl jewellery from Greenhills

Pearl jewellery for the mum.

where’d you buy? :)

https://preview.redd.it/6w8sdxgntbue1.png?width=982&format=png&auto=webp&s=874e79b9d94cd2cba602fa795f568c7654a2e2f6

Monks Blend is okay. Just make sure what type because they have whole beans and ground beans. If whole the recepient should have at least a grinder at home or in the office. My only grip with Monks Blend there is not option or choice for different type of roast.

It's cheaper when you buy from gaisano mall grocery

when we still brewed our coffee this was our fave

Kani..

Been using this since Pandemic ( 2020 )

Makapabuhi jud ni sa akong bilar2x ug lami sad siya at the same time makatabang sad ta sa livelihood sa Malaybalay, without comprising the quality.

Sulit kaayo ni..

Hopia de Pili from Charitos is always a hit pag ginpapasalubong ko

Pastillas from Carigaraaaaa! Nagdala ako nito papuntang office sa Cebu, 1-3 hrs ubos na 200pcs na binili ko hahaha

Corioso, rosquillos, pastillas from Carigara

Binagol??

Food stuff: Binagol, Pastillas (Carigara, carabao milk version), Pili tarts, Kalamay (the one you can use as ingredients, not the bohol version), Bulad (especially varieties that are not common in Manila; make sure to wrap them well and store as checked in baggage); bottled tuba (but not sure how it can pass through airport security)

Non-food: Banig related items

Where to buy: Downtown zamora street, near Jollibee; Robinsons north, near grocery (at a marked up price); Mercado, facing the bay side area before the meat section building; whole block surrounding gaisano

Real Cheese was a big hit when I first traveled here.

Filipinos love cold hard cash in US $$$, give 'em $100 each and they'll ask for more! 💸🤑

Don't bring anything. Just go buy Hershey chocolate from the local 7-Eleven or grocery store after arriving, and tell them it's from the US. The response will be the same... trust me!

Just huge bags of assorted chocolates from Costco

T shirts, caps and US souvenirs. Chocolate is cheaper in the US so I'm told. Candy for the kids. Spam. Toiletries from the US such as Dove soap. Yes many things available in PH but more expensive, and many cannot afford, so they make nice gifts

Yan din hinihingi kong pasalubong tapos yung pastel at yung BKDN Dark Chocolate 70% at yung may choco nibs

Go for beans and check the time of roasting. This is a decent coffee from bukidnon.

barquillos sa sugarlandia

Bailon piaya. Lain nga klase sang piaya nga nasanayan from Bongbong's.

Coffee! Coffee Culture’s Negros blend is highly recommended 💯

local chorizo

Barrel Man