In the Philippines, Spam is a popular food item and seen as a cultural symbol. It is prepared and used in a variety of ways, including being fried, served alongside condiments, or used in sandwiches. The canned meat's popularity transcends economic class, and Spam gift sets are even used as homecoming gifts. There are at least ten different varieties of Spam currently available in the country and an estimated 1.25million kilos of the meat is sold every year in the Philippines.During the rescue efforts afterTyphoon Ondoy(Ketsana) in 2009, Hormel Foods donated over 30,000pounds of Spam to thePhilippine National Red Cross.