Once my school shoes are worn out and I have to buy a new one, my mother would not allow me to buy brand new shoes for us to save money. What we do is we go to downtown and look for “ukay-ukay” (digging) stalls where I can buy a pair of shoes in a cheaper cost.
“Ukay-ukay” is a store where you have to dig from the piles of second hand clothes and other products to be able to choose what you want to buy. This is from the local word “halukay,” which means digging.
Since it is hard to find same size you’re looking for, you really have to be patient to search for it. As long as the products are still usable and will not easily worn out, you can buy it even with discounts. If you’re lucky, you may find an authentic vintage Louis Vuitton bag for a cheaper cost. Ukay-ukay is really common in the Philippines, you can see ukay-ukay bags, sexy shorts, sandals, bed sheets and etc., funny because you can even see ukay-ukay underwear.
Ukay-ukay is common not just because it is cheaper than brand new products but also because of the new style and cut of clothes and shoes that you can’t see in any department stores. For sure you don’t want to walk along downtown then suddenly seeing someone wearing the same clothes you’re wearing? Also, you can ask discounts that you can’t do when you’re on a department store.
credits to:
http://www.honeyandrade.com/2011/02/ukay-ukay-101.html
http://filipinolifeinpictures.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/jolo-ukay-ukay/
http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2012/01/ukay-ukay-in-kidapawan-city.html
