Poging GOUD - Vrij
The spirit of gift-giving: Does it say 'thank you' or 'expect more'?
Manila Bulletin
|August 14 2025
When does a gift—whether to a stranger or a friend—carry nothing but pure gratitude? And when does it begin to whisper an unspoken expectation of another favor to come?
-
In our culture, gift-giving is woven deeply into everyday life. It’s an instinctive way to show generosity and appreciation. From the smallest courtesies— offering a seat, remembering a preference, or going the extra mile for someone’s comfort—to the bigger gestures like helping with paperwork, pushing an application through, or caring for a sick friend, we often feel compelled to express thanks with a token, a pasalubong, or a special treat.
But this culture of generosity doesn’t stop at the personal level. It has seeped into business, politics, and other serious corners of life. The “token of appreciation” has evolved—from home-cooked food and fruit baskets to branded goods and luxury items. At some point, the lines blur: Is cash a token of gratitude? Does the timing matter—after the help, it’s a thank-you; before the help, is it still a gift or something else entirely?
Dit verhaal komt uit de August 14 2025-editie van Manila Bulletin.
Abonneer u op Magzter GOLD voor toegang tot duizenden zorgvuldig samengestelde premiumverhalen en meer dan 9000 tijdschriften en kranten.
Bent u al abonnee? Aanmelden
MEER VERHALEN VAN Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
Scores hurt in violent clashes; 17 arrested
At least 30 policemen and a radio reporter were reportedly hurt after young protesters wearing black masks and balaclavas tried to provoke riot police officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) near Ayala Bridge in Manila by throwing rocks at them, setting a container van on fire, and breaching the police barricade near Malacañang on Sunday, Sept. 21.
11 mins
September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin
Growing up in 1940s Manila
How children kept themselves entertained in the past
4 mins
September 22, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Small fry, big fish in anomalous flood control projects will be sent to jail – Dizon
Those responsible in the massive corruption in the flood control projects—from the small fry to the big fish— must be sent to jail as one of the effective measures to prevent the repeat of anomalies in government infrastructure projects, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said on Sunday, Sept. 21.
2 mins
September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin
DTI chief pushes for new contractor law
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is seeking to amend the Contractors’ License Law to address potential conflicts of interest, following the resignation of top officials from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).
2 mins
September 22, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Political turmoil rattles PH economy
Two global banking giants have flagged political and fiscal challenges posing near-term risks to the Philippine economy, especially in the aftermath of a corruption scandal involving massive public spending on ineffective flood control projects in recent years.
3 mins
September 22, 2025
Manila Bulletin
‘Nando’ now a super typhoon; Signal No. 5 may be raised - PAGASA
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa) intensified into a super typhoon at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.
2 mins
September 22, 2025
Manila Bulletin
BOP deficit shrinks to five-month low
A larger balance of payments (BOP) surplus in August narrowed the country’s cumulative deficit for the first eight months of the year to its lowest level in five months, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
2 mins
September 22, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Budget official defends use of ‘standby’ funds
The Department of Budget and Management (BDM) has clarified that the government’s unprogrammed appropriations (UA) are not a discretionary “pork barrel” or a “magic fund.”
2 mins
September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin
Solcom assures loyalty to Charter
Southern Luzon Command assured the people that they are committed and loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command as anti-corruption protests were held on Sunday.
1 min
September 22, 2025
Manila Bulletin
DOTr begins feasibility study for northern NCR transport hub
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is evaluating potential sites of a modern transportation terminal in northern Metro Manila, patterned after the Parafiaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
1 mins
September 22, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size