Just got home from work and excitedly went straight to the nearest Ukayan Store in our area. I miss going to an Ukayan, since I've been in and out of town for a month. I bought 6 pieces of tops and cost me Php680. Not bad compared to the prices of the branded items at the mall. I usually visit the shop especially every pay day!!! I'm such a shopingera and I wouldn't let a week pass without going to the mall, and an ukayan is not an exception... I love clothes and I love to mix and match.
Ever wonder where the term UKAY-UKAY came from?!
As stated by the Ukay Queen herself, It was derived from the Visayan term “halukay” which means the act of digging. Ukay-ukay shopping is like treasure hunting, but instead of looking for a treasure, you are literally digging from the piles of clothes which are mostly vintage and of high value. The ukay shopping phenomena all started in Baguio. Ukay stores sprouted like mushrooms which later became one of the must-visit places in Baguio.
(Yup,so true! Whenever I go to Ilocos, I always drop by in Baguio just to buy some stuffs. My best buy in Baguio was a pair of shoes by Clarks... It was really, really new when I bought it. It cost 500 bucks. When I checked on the internet about Clark shoes I found out that it costs about $40- 100. Convert it to peso, you do the math!!!)
According to hearsay, it’s origin started way back in the 80s. Due to the frequency of calamities happening in our country, a certain humanitarian group called the Salvation Army used to ship second-hand garments and other goods as forms of help to the filipino victims. As the goods piled up, business-minded people decided to buy them at a very low cost and sell them to the public. Thus, ukay-ukay business was born.
THINGS TO BUY IN UKAY-UKAY:
Branded clothes;
Branded shoes;
Bags, Belts, Accessories;
Beddings, Bedsheets and pillowcase;
Stuff toys;
Appliances and a lot more...
TYPES OF UKAY CLOTHES: (got this from the Ukay Queen's Blog)
CLASS A - Brand New signature clothes more often with price tags. Usually came straight from the store factory. These are usually available when clothes are newly delivered or whenever you see the “NEW ARRIVAL” sign at the front of the store. Good Deal: Maximum of Php150 - minimum of Php80
CLASS B - Look like brand new. High quality but without price tags. (slightly used) Good Deal: Maximum of Php100 - minimum Php50
CLASS C - Second hand clothes. Quality,not so good. With slight damages but can be easily restored. Good Deal: Maximum of Php75 - minimum of Php20
CLASS D - Poor quality with damages. Php 40 - Php10
UKAY TERMS
Segunda Mano - means second hand in Spanish.
Wagwagan - means to “shake”.
New Arrival - clothes are newly delivered to the store
Tapat na - price is final. no discount.
Uks / UK - other terms for ukay-ukay.
POPULAR UKAY DESTINATIONS
Baguio, Cebu, Cubao, Anonas, Bluementrit Espana, Mandaluyong, Sta.Mesa, Pasig
( I've been to Cubao, Mandaluyong and Anonas... Among the three, Anonas is the best... The Ukayan in Anonas looks like a Mall. It has 4 floors stuffed with anything and everything an Ukayera like me would love to have. From apparels to appliances, you name it and they have it! There is also an Ukayan in Katipunan, Mindanao Avenue and Tandang Sora. I always go to the latter since it is nearer to our place.)
So, If you want to go shopping and doesn't know where to go, just text me, I'll be happy to tag along!!!
HAPPY SHOPPING!!! =)
