TITLE: Balikbayan Box (2016) 
Cardboard box, packing tape, found objects, air

The ritualistic exercise of filling up a ‘balikbayan box’ with commodities is replicated in many countries where you find Filipino transients.  Each box is a unique object that derives meaning defined by the sender and resolved by the recipient. However, the artefact in my view summarily symbolises the disintegrating family relationship brought about by the dislocation of the family structure.  It is an attempt to reestablish the bond that has been severed, a means to bridge the distance and to ease the passing of time. In doing so, we have appropriated our emotions and embodied our feelings through this box and the contents within.  
 
How has the latest watch I am sending represent the guilt of missing my son’s birthday?  How has my loneliness found surrogacy in wrapping a blanket for my mother?  How did buying a box of biscuit become a proxy to my fear that my daughter is under nourished?

Note: 
This work was presented as a completion requirement for an art workshop in Metafora, a centre of contemporary art based in Barcelona, Spain on June, 2016. 

Further Statement
An estimated 10 million Filipinos are living abroad today. The Philippine diasporic narrative centers on the quest to improve economic conditions of the family they left behind. Many of these transient Filipinos long for the day they are back with their families and friends under better conditions.  But for now they contend themselves with numerous ‘facetimes’ to ease the pain of separation.  Yes, money will be remitted to unburden the lot they left behind. And most if not all will send a box full of commodities from their adopted land to their family and friends.

The “Balikbayan box” seem to have been widely accepted name for this ubiquitous object.
The word’s progeny can be traced to a 70’s Philipine government tourism program to entice migrant Filipinos to return (‘balik’) to the country (‘bayan’). Veiled as a government propaganda being propagated by the then dictatorial regime, it was embraced by many homesick Filipino migrants.  As an inducement, returnees (nay visitors) are given tax-free privileges on their luggage or gifts they bring back home. This capitalised on several Philippine social norms, particularly on gift-giving, filial affiliation, fellowship, debt of gratitude.
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In present day context, a balikbayan box has morphed into a unique object of social importance and personal meaning – even with its insignificant countenance. You send a box and all the things inside in lieu of your presence or to reaffirm the social norm expected from you.