17+ BEST Philippines Souvenirs to Bring Home
In the Philippines, no trip is complete without pasalubong, the beloved custom of bringing home thoughtful gifts. This can be anything from local delicacies and snacks, art & crart, to your usual tourist knickknacks (ref magnets, shirts, and mugs). If you’re thinking of shopping for Philippine souvenirs to give to family or friends — especially those who live abroad, we’ve got you!
Here’s a list of the most popular pasalubong (souvenirs) in the Philippines that you can buy.
Contents
- 1. Dried mangoes
- 2. Pearls
- 3. Jeepney Miniatures
- 4. Coffee beans
- 5. Ube Halaya
- 6. Lambanog (Coconut Vodka)
- 7. Gourmet tuyo
- 8. Tablea
- 9. Chocolate bars
- 10. Capiz homeware
- 11. Handwoven Banig Mats
- 12. Artsy displays and home decor
- 13. Wooden bowls and utensils
- 14. Local bags
- 15. Abaca sandals
- 16. Inabel towels
- 17. Graphic Tees
- 18. Chicharon
- Tips for buying pasalubongs
- What to read next:
1. Dried mangoes

The Philippines is a major exporter of sweet mangoes. In fact, Cebu produces what many call the world’s sweetest mangoes, sun-ripened and sliced into chewy, golden strips that capture the country’s tropical flavor. Vacuum-sealed packs preserve flavor for months, making them effortless to share with colleagues or stash in lunchboxes.
As a healthy, gluten-free snack, they appeal to all ages and diets. They are delicious, addicitng, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Look for brands using Carabao mangoes from Cebu or Guimaras for the most authentic flavors.
Buy Cebu dried mangoes.
2. Pearls

Born in the nutrient-rich waters off Palawan and Sulu, South Sea pearls glow with creamy white or golden hues unmatched by freshwater varieties. Jewelers craft them into elegant earrings, pendants, or strands that elevate any outfit from casual to couture. Their rarity and luster make them heirloom gifts symbolizing enduring beauty and the Philippines’ maritime heritage.
3. Jeepney Miniatures
Jeepney miniatures are one of the most popular Philippine souvenirs. These palm-sized replicas faithfully recreate Manila’s flamboyant jeepneys — former U.S. military jeeps reborn as chrome-laden, mural-painted public transports. Artisans hand-paint religious icons, pop culture slogans, and LED headlights onto metal bodies, capturing the city’s joyful chaos.
Displayed on desks or dashboards, they spark stories of honking traffic and communal rides. Collectors appreciate variations honoring specific routes or festivals, making each model uniquely conversation-worthy.
4. Coffee beans
Aside from rice and grains, the Philippines also has a number of coffee-growing regions that produce high-quality coffee beans, including Batangas, Benguet, Kalinga, and Sagada. Liberica coffee, which is most commonly known as kapeng barako, is one of the most common ones you can find. Other variants include Arabica, Robusta, and Excelsa.
Coffee beans are a great option for your caffeine-addicted friends, but for those who want to lessen their caffeine intake, alternative such as rice coffee and corn coffee can be found as well.
5. Ube Halaya
Baguio’s cold highlands yield vibrant purple yams, transformed into silky, nutty-sweet jam that spreads like velvet on pandesal or swirl into desserts.
Ube halaya was first created by the sisters at the Good Shepherd Convert in Baguio in 1976, and it has been popular ever since. They are always a must-buy souvenir when visiting Baguio, but nowadays, you don’t need to travel there to satisfy your cravings. There are retailers selling these in Metro Manila, as well as online shops that promise a fresh batch every time.
6. Lambanog (Coconut Vodka)
For drink connoisseurs, lambanog is one of the country’s traditional alcoholic drinks. Popularly made in Quezon, distillers ferment coconut sap overnight and then distill it into a clear spirit reaching 80–90 proof with subtle floral undertones. Locals sip it neat during get-togethers and fiestas or mix it into tropical cocktails like lambanog coladas. Flavored variants, such as lychee and mango, add playful twist to younger palates.
Available in sealed bottles, this souvenir travels well (within liquid limits) and offer adventurous drinkers a taste of rural ingenuity.
7. Gourmet tuyo
Gourmet tuyo takes this Filipino breakfast staple into another level. Preserved with olive oil and seasonings, gourmet tuyo is great not only for rice meals but also as main ingredient in pasta and fillings for crackers.
Buy gourmet tuyo in olive oil.
8. Tablea
Forget chocolate powdered drink! Tablea is a game-changer and a must-give to someone who loves chocolates. Tablea is essentially cocoa that is roasted and ground into tablets or balls, which is then dissolved in hot water along with sugar and/or milk to make a cup or rich, hot chocolate. A perfect drink in the morning or during cold seasons.
Buy premium pure tablea.
9. Chocolate bars

Aside from tablea, the Philippines also produces high-quality chocolate bars. Some of the brands you should look out for are Auro Chocolate, which is good artisanal chocolate; Theo and Philo, which creates unique chocolate infused with local flavors such as mangoes; and Malagos, which specializes in dark, unsweetened chocolate.
10. Capiz homeware
Harvested sustainably from Capiz province, these paper-thin shells shimmer like opalescent glass when polished into items for the home. Some of the capiz items you can find include lamps, picture frames, and even various kitchenware such as plates, placements, coasters, and utensils.
Artisans assemble pieces by hand, supporting coastal families while promoting biodegradable decor. Although they are often on the high-end price, capiz items are worth the purchase for their uniqueness and aesthetics. They infuse spaces with tranquil island ambiance year-round.
11. Handwoven Banig Mats
In Basey, Samar, master weavers transform tikog seagrass into intricate sleeping mats or wall hangings using patterns passed down generations. Naturally cool to the touch, banig provide relief in tropical heat and roll compactly for travel.
In the past, banigs are used as simple mattresses for regular households. Today, they are used as picnic blankets or yoga props, blending function with folk art.
12. Artsy displays and home decor

Spruce up your home with artistic Filipino-style displays and home decor. Papemelroti sells a variety of wall displays, calendars, and stickers, as well as practical household items such as eco-friendly boxes, organizers, mugs, and more.
13. Wooden bowls and utensils

If you want to go for a homey or bohemian aesthetic, go for wooden bowls and utensils. You can easily find rice bowls, calabash bowls, and even condiment sets for reasonable prices. These are commonly made from acacia, but there are others available like the coconut bowl, which is perfect for oatmeal and smoothies.
14. Local bags

The Philippines produces various types of local bags, so you can choose whatever suites your style! There are bags created with handwoven fabrics that represent the culture and history of the indigenous people, bags made from abaca or other study materials, and modern bayongs that you can use wherever you want to go.
One of the most common ones you’ll see are the Ifugao bags. Basically, these bags are made in Cordillera and can be anything from sling bags and pouches to backpacks. Other great brands for local bags include Hiraya at Sinag, which makes modern bayongs; Akaba Bags, which are modern-style bags that incorporate fabrics from Mindanao; BidiBidi, which are uniquely embroidered bags produced by locals in Bicol.
15. Abaca sandals
You can’t go wrong with a pair of sandals made in Liliw, Laguna. Sturdy and chic, you can browse through different designs of heels, flat sandals, and slip-ons made from abaca. Head over to Liliw to get the best prices on these products, but for convenience, you can also buy them from stores online.
16. Inabel towels
Inabel towels are a practical gift that anyone can use and is an upgrade over plain, regular towels. Unique and stylish, inabel is a handwoven fabric created by Ilocanos. It is easy to buy these in Ilocos or online. You can also find other inabel products such as hand towels, blankets, bed covers, and pillowcases.
Buy Ilocos inabel towel.
17. Graphic Tees

Graphic t-shirts will never go out of style. You can buy your usual tourist shirts from souvenir shops and stalls. Kultura also sells shirts that showcase the culture of the Philippines. Upgrade your street style by heading over to Linya-Linya, which sells shirts created by local artists. TeamManila and Strange Mercy are also great local brands for tees.
Buy shirts from Linya-Linya or Team Manila.
18. Chicharon
Crunchy and salty, chicharon (deep-friend pork rinds) is a delicious snack that everyone loves. Best dipped in vinegar, you can enjoy it alone or as pulutan during social drinks. Just watch out for your blood pressure while enjoying this sinful treat!
Tips for buying pasalubongs
- You can easily find food pasalubongs in the local product aisle of large groceries. Most have dried mangoes, pastries, and other food bites.
- Kultura is a one-stop shop for local souvenirs. They have everything from clothes and apparels to food, body and skin products, jewelry, and more. Greenhills Shopping Center, Landmark, and Rustans are also convenient places to buy items. For arts and crafts, check out Papemelroti, found in shopping malls and online platforms. If you prefer online shopping, worry not! A lot of souvenirs from the Philippines — even handwoven arts and crafts, clothes, etc. — are already available online, although a bit pricier than those sold directly by physical stores.
- If you’re bringing local food products abroad, make sure to check your country of destination’s regulations about imported goods.
Has our article on the best Philippines souvenir been helpful to you? If you have other suggestions, let us know in the comments section below!
What to read next:
Planning a trip to the Philippines? Check out these guides!
- First-Timers Guide to the Philippines
- Best Places to Visit in the Philippines
- Things You Need to Know Before Visiting the Philippines
- Is the Philippines Safe to Visit?
- Off-the-Beaten-Track Destinations in the Philippines
- Suggested 2 Weeks Itinerary in the Philippines
- Suggested 3 Weeks Itinerary in the Philippines
- Philippines Packing List
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Katherine Cortes is a work-from-home freelancer. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs). When not on the road, she stays at home with five cats.



