Clothing : Ukay-ukay

Ukay ukay - Meaning to dig through, is the term generally used throughout the Philippines to describe how people choose garments from the imported second hand clothing.

Wagwagan - Often use by locals in Baguio which also means halukay or ukay-ukay.

UK - From a TV Ad catchphrase "Tide" (a detergent powder) , which also means ukay.

Exploring UK-UK :

Yesterday me and my friends went to an ukay-ukay shop near our place, it was raining hard yesterday but it didn't stop us from intruding the UK shops. I'm always fond of the "ukay-ukay". Despite the itchy nose and sneezes that I get when searching through the piles of clothes. The main reason why I like to get some of my clothes from the "ukay-ukay" is the satisfaction that I get when people tell me that I have a good fashion sense, only to startle them when I say that what I was wearing is only 50 pesos.

It doesn't really score point if you are wearing a Zara, Guess, Esprit, or something when you don't look good in it. It's the wearer that makes the wardrobe and not the wardrobe that makes the wearer. People won't even believe me when I say that what I am wearing is something I bought from an "ukay-ukay". Well... I can't blame them.... maybe it really looks good on me.... I'm sure......

What to expect in an ukay-ukay shops :

1. The smell - Even if an ukay shop is air conditioned or not, expect a "baul" (chest/footlocker) like smell, because most of the clothes are stuck together that makes an unusual smell.

2. People from all walks of life - Expect all types of people, from "Shala girls" to "Jolens fans", from "car owners" to "tricycle drivers", from "athlete's" to "athlete's foot"... (just kidding).

3. Weird background music - Most of the ukay-ukay owners are from Cebu and Baguio, so get ready to hear your parent's favorite old songs sang in different dialect. Cool.....

4. Hotta - Most of the ukay's don't have air conditioner so expect hot atmosphere. Best time to go to ukay is when it's cloudy or even rainy.




5. Annoying sellers - The sellers or most commonly called "tindera's" can be sometimes really stiff when it comes to haggling the price. "Tip: go straight to the cashier and ask for a cheaper price, because most of the time the cashier is also the owner. "