Baguio’s Timeless Souvenirs
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Baguio Souvenirs: (clockwise from top left): the barrel man, Kalamay, Everlasting leis, Strawberries, Silver Jewelry, Brooms.
At Mines View Park, a group of tourists laugh out loud around a small stall. The source of the fun moment? The barrel man. At first glance, it looks like a harmless wooden figurine, hands and body hidden in a barrel. But lift the barrel, and–surprise–a cheeky secret reveals itself! Generations of visitors have giggled at this woodcarving, from balikbayans (returning residents) in the ’70s to Gen Z travelers today. “My lola nearly fainted when I brought one home,” recalls Jake Pariñas from Danglas, Abra, “but she displayed it on her shelf for years.” The barrel man is more than a joke; it is a testament to the humor and creativity of Baguio’s woodcarvers, particularly those from Asin Road, where the tradition thrives. (National Artist Kidkat Tahimik, in his 1990s research, noted a widely held belief that the barrel man was intended as a form of protest by the Ifugaos in the 1900s to mock the American colonizers who caused the displacement of the Ibaloi natives.)
Nearby, a vendor hands a father a string of tiny shells held together by bamboo sticks filled with sundot kulangot (pick the snot). “Anak, tikman niyo, masarap na kulangot (Kids, taste the delicious snot),” he jokes, sending his kids into fits of laughter. The sticky kalamay (sweet delicacy made from glutinous rice, coconut and sugar) inside may be humble, but the joy it brings is priceless. No barcode or vacuum-sealed pack could ever replace that moment of shared humor and discovery.
Practical souvenirs are just as iconic. The Baguio broom, crafted from tiger grass and bound with bright threads, has long been strapped to car roofs heading south. Unlike flimsy store-bought sweepers, these brooms last for years. “Mas matibay talaga, mas maayos (Really stronger and neat),” Ellen Labo of Manila swears. For many, it’s the ultimate proof that Baguio pasalubong is not just for display, but also for daily life.
But beyond the playful and practical, Baguio also offers a glimpse of Cordillera heritage through woven Igorot cloth. Stalls at the Baguio Public Market display handwoven textiles in black, red, and other colors—traditional patterns symbolizing strength, community, and identity. Some are sold as tapis (wrap skirts) or chalecos (vests) while others are reimagined as bags, scarves, and table runners. “Every weave has a story,” explains one weaver from the Easter School Weaving Center. Buying these cloths is more than purchasing fabric—it is supporting an age-old tradition kept alive by women who pass on the skill to their daughters. Unlike mass-produced fabrics online, each weave carries the unmistakable fingerprint of heritage.
Equally enduring is Baguio’s reputation for silver jewelry. Since the American period, when miners flocked to Benguet, the city became known for its silversmiths. In Session Road shops and stalls at the Night Market, one can still find handcrafted rings, necklaces, and bangles—each piece carrying a weight of authenticity. The jewelry may have competitors online, but discerning buyers still prefer the feel of silver crafted by local hands.
And then, there are the everlasting leis—perhaps the most photographed of all Baguio pasalubong. Outside bus terminals and parks, vendors offer visitors with garlands of strawflowers, known for their vivid hues and ability to stay bright long after the trip ends.
And of course, nothing says Baguio quite like fresh strawberries. At the nearby La Trinidad Strawberry Farm, tourists stoop to pick the bright red fruit, their baskets filling quickly. They often pair their pick with a bottle or two of strawberry wine sold by vendors just outside the farm.
Stalls at the Baguio Public Market display handwoven textiles in black, red, and other colors—traditional patterns symbolizing strength, community, and identity.
Of course, the edible favorites remain ever popular: jars of ube jam from the Good Shepherd Convent, peanut brittle, lengua de gato. Shoppers could simply order them online, but the long queues at the convent shop prove that freshness and authenticity are part of the experience.
Together, these souvenirs—whether humorous, practical, cultural, or edible—have withstood time and technology. The barrel man’s mischief, the kulangot’s sweet surprise, the broom’s sturdy sweep, the woven cloth’s heritage, the silver’s luster, and the convent jams’ sweetness all remind visitors that Baguio is more than a destination. It is a story to take home. And stories, unlike online carts, are best carried by hand, straight from the cool air of the mountains.
Rene Astudillo is a writer, book author and blogger and has recently retired from more than two decades of nonprofit community work in the Bay Area. He spends his time between California and the Philippines.
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