In this place and age where everybody has the same myopic Manila mindset, taking a peak at Philippines’s diverse culture is a sure breather. But doing this needs not all that exhausting island hopping and expensive travel tours. Because to see just how rich our culture is, one needs only to look at the people around him; and to feel how it is to be Pinoy, one only has to enjoy their company.

            And this is just what we did during Kalayaan Residence Hall’s annual Pasalubong Festival held last January 5. Pasalubong, a word which refers to a gift coming from the place where the giver has just been, was surely apt in depicting the event.

            Residents arriving from their own provinces brought tons of food and decors, actively taking part in the activity. I, for one, had three luggages, one of which was full of malongs and inuls, T’nalak purses and B’laan beads, and lots and lots of dried fruits. Since it was just a little after the Christmas break, everyone rushed to set up the booths, plan the presentations and cook one’s region’s delicacies.

            By Wednesday morning, the basketball court was so full of exhibits and so adorned with multicolored sarongs and pabitins that it morphed into a little cultural haven. The activity didn’t start until four in the afternoon, but everyone was excited and perhaps, also a bit jittery. Even our dorm manager, Ms. Alma Tirona was already up and about the court checking and double-checking everything.

            As the clock struck four, everyone got ready and got themselves armed from the swarm of Korean international students with their colorful regional costumes. It was not long that the court was filled with people, and the event started.

            During the presentations, songs sang in their native languages, Spanish dances from the North, and neo-ethnic, often Muslim-inspired dances from the South were common. Other presentations were re-enactments of the local festivals like that of the Aswang Festival from Capiz and the Fiesta ng Senior Santo Niño from Cebu. Some regions had their presentations narrated while others were purely musical.

            The event, however, did not stop there. After the presentations, everybody went around the court and into the different booths and exhibits of each region. Foods were served, and my mouth almost watered to discover the taste of new foods. I got to eat the sweet pili nuts of Region V, the sumptuous pastels of Region 10, the durian (although this fruit is also abundant in my region) of Region 11, and of course, the dudol (a Muslim delicacy) from my very own Region 12.

            But the Pasalubong Festival can never be called such, without—well—the pasalubongs. So as I munch my way into my otaps, I was busy giving out brochures, postcards and beaded B’laan bracelets. It was a bit chaotic, but we had fun.

            The two-hour activity compressed cultural shows, talent events and food and trade fairs all into one. It was done to showcase the uniqueness of all the geographical regions of the country, highlighting our country’s diverse cultural splendor.

            The activity was not as tiring as island hopping and you know what? I had fun while learning. I got to eat free food, get free stuffs and rediscover my country through the efforts of my co-residents.

            Personally, the event allowed me to speak straight Hiligaynon, my native tongue, and a little bit of Bisaya without the language barriers brought by being in a largely Tagalog-speaking university.

            Collectively, it allowed a kaleidoscope of cultures to shine, revived a rich spirit of diversity and provided a venue for oneness. With the Pasalubnong Festival, we discovered that the country has witnessed more history than we thought. And with history comes the interweaving of lives. So perhaps it was not just about culture. It was a sharing of lives.