Sad but True

This is quite sad because OFWs from Middle countries are not bringing chocolates, jewelry, or shoes when they go home for vacation. 

Instead, Filipinos are going home with bags of onions in lieu of the usual Toblerone, Kitkat, and M and M's that are regular fixtures of their luggage. And when they send balikbayan boxes, bags of onions become the piece d' resistance - the main showpiece of the box.

Filipinos Are Practical

Filipinos have learned to appreciate what they have, make the most of it, and tolerate difficulties. Resilience is a deeply rooted characteristic that makes up a Filipino identity,

So when the onion crisis erupted, Filipinos viewed the setback as impermanent.  They reframe the onion mess as an opportunity to be creative.  If loading your luggage with bags of onions is funny to some ... to Filipino ex-pats, it isn't.  They are just being practical.

Red Onions As Coming Home Gifts.

Packing the onions and sending them home is a no-nonsense and the most logical thing any OFW can do under the circumstances. The fact of the matter is that it is the most sensible thing.

As Khaleej Times put it, onions are the new chocolates, say Filipinos who recently flew home for the holidays. Now, handing family and friends red onions as coming-home gifts is just as special as giving them bars of the finest chocolates.