Can’t wait for all this cold weather to end? Not to worry, even though summer may feel so far away, it’ll be here before you know it. Whether you’re already planning (or just about to) your next trip to the Philippines, let us help you kick-off your summer vacation!

At Metrobox Cargo, the premier freight forwarding service company based in Hayward, CA, we ensure that we provide excellent customer service and that your balikbayan boxes arrive safely in its final destination in the Philippines.

On that note, here are a few ideas on how we can help kick start your summer vacation in the Philippines:

• Send bulky and heavy items in advance – Free up your suitcases by sending those space-hugger pieces in balikbayan boxes. For beachgoers, these can be beach towels, sun protection skin products, small coolers, and even a portable shelter/tent. Don’t forget the lightweight portable and foldable chairs and tables, too.
• Are you a diving enthusiast? How about adding your new goggles, snorkeling/diving kits, and rash guards in a balikbayan box or two? We can definitely ship these products for you.
• Do you have items that are odd-sized and/or cannot fit into a standard balikbayan box? Some of the items that come to mind include luggage bigger than 21 inches (aka not carry-on size, so these are luggages that are usually checked in) and outdoor gear like oversized backpacks with solid frames. As a freight forwarding service, we can ship them as well. Contact us for more information or if you live in the San Francisco Bay area, stop by our main office in Hayward.
• Send “pasalubongs” and “bilins” – Staying over at lolo’s and lola’s house and meeting the rest of the family clan? Pack your pasalubongs and their bilins in balikbayan boxes and then ship them ahead of your arrival. You will not have to worry about baggage allowances and expensive fees. Moreover, you are less inconvenienced with delayed connecting flights and the possibility of missing baggage.
• Go ahead and send summer clothing, swimwear, and footwear for your family and friends. Keep the young people busy with various activities — badminton, tennis, variety of balls (basketball, volleyball, soccer), arts and crafts, make bubbles, water guns, and water slides are just some ideas.
• If the province you’ll be staying is prone to frequent brownouts, why not prepare by sending a few solar panels and compact solar powered generators or large battery packs. These portable generators like these from Goal Zero are enough to supply power to personal and desk fans, smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Don’t forget about the lights, too.
• Lastly, let’s not forget about the food because what’s a Pinoy vacation without it, right? Send out the family’s favorite brands of canned goods, freeze-dried food, beverages, and condiments to name a few.
• Pack your balikbayan boxes wellFinally, check out our blogs for additional tips such as what and how to pack a balikbayan box. We’ve covered a broad scope; however, if you still have questions and iIf you are unsure of what to include or not, please do not hesitate to reach out.



In summary, preparation and planning ahead are two key things that will ensure every vacation in any season be successful, especially when you’re going with family and friends. We at Metrobox Cargo, your choice for freight forwarding services in Hayward, CA, are here to help make your vacation as stress-free as possible.

So get a head start on your vacation, shall we, and let’s get packing!

Metro Box Cargo is a freight forwarding services company established in 2013 with two main offices – at Hayward, CA in the United States and at Teachers Village in Quezon City in the Philippines. Founded by Egay Tajonera, and his wife Mabelle, they are passionate in providing exceptional service to the Filipino community. Our company provides personalized, reliable, on-time customized door to door service for balikbayan boxes, container shipments, loose cargo and odd-sizes shipments. We also offer vehicle shipping services for cars and motorcycles.

Our friendly and helpful staff, as well as our authorized agents, are available to assist you and answer questions you may have. We have locations in northern and southern California: our two main warehouses are located in Hayward and Santa Fe Springs, and our five drop off locations can be found inside Island Pacific stores. Feel free to call or stop by. Please visit our website at www.metroboxcargo.com for more details.