Aside from being a decorative piece, souvenirs can also be functional. Come to think of it, most of the time, these are everyday items used by the locals of the places we visit.
Let’s check out the salakot for the 15th issue of the A Ba Ka of Philippine Souvenirs series.
Sa for Salakot
The Salakot is a handmade traditional hat usually worn and used by farmers to protect their faces from the harmful rays of the sun. (I mean, a little sun is great but all day and every day is a bit dangerous, don’t you think?)
It is skillfully woven and assembled by craftsmen, for livelihood, for personal use, or hobby. Hobby? Yes, some even put art into it.
Personal use? Of course, what better way to strut down the streets but with a salakot on.
Livelihood? You bet, salakots are sold as souvenirs for those visiting places near farm areas and to the locals who need shade provided by the traditional hat.
So where in the Philippines do we set off to if we want to take home some salakots? Well, there’s Nueva Ecija, Sultan Kudarat, Pangasinan, Batanes, even Antipolo! Just name that countryside and they have it!
Check out their handicraft stores, their street markets, even their shopping centers would have the salakot for sale. You’ll even find salakots in various forms!
The salakot is the perfect souvenir because if it turns out to be a challenge to pack them, you can wear them home instead!
BONUS:
Sure, you can find creative salakots in their affordable prices out there but did you know that there are a few collectible salakots that you can only have if you won it in an auction?
If you think those auction salakots are quite something, check out this salakot displayed in the Boston Children’s Museum!
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