Ukay-Ukay in the City

Signature brands at dirt-cheap prices

Getting the best value for one’s money is always on the mind of everyone these days. Instead of buying their favorite macchiato at the nearest high-end coffee shop, people would be contented with a home-made brew using a 3-in-1 coffee sachet for their daily caffeine load. A trip to the fast food restaurant for lunch or dinner would be replaced with a trip to the neighborhood carenderia. And instead of buying brand-new clothes at the mall, people may visit their favorite ukay-ukay shop. 

Ukay-Ukay in the city – image source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

​According to the Urban Dictionary, ukay-Ukay is the term used to describe places that sell secondhand goods like clothing, bags, and shoes among others at cheap prices. These items are typically shipped to countries like the Philippines from the US Salvation Army.

Ukay-Ukay in the city – image source: metrocebu.com.ph

​It essentially comes from the Tagalog word “halukay” or the act of digging since shoppers have to dig into a pile of used clothing to get what they want to buy. While the goods were supposed to be given out for free, a number of business-minded individuals started to buy excess supplies and sold them. These goods eventually gained popularity among budget-conscious Filipinos who can get US-branded apparel at dirt-cheap prices. These ukay-ukay outlets started in Baguio before reaching Manila. It eventually reached the shores of the Queen City of the South, Cebu has a number of these outlets with the biggest located along Colon Street, Tabunok and the Carbon Market area.

Ukay-Ukay in the city – image source: gmanews.tv

​These ukay-ukay outlets are now found in nearly all major cities and towns in the island of Cebu. The goods they sell are a mixture of well-known and unknown US brands. Some of them are used items while there are times when brand-new items can be found if one is patient enough to dig through the pile of clothes. Some of these outlets have already segregated the items based on how they look and at times on the brands.

Ukay-Ukay in the city – image source: primer.com.ph

​When shopping in an ukay-ukay outlet, it is important to thoroughly check the items before buying them. There are instances when you may find signature brands that require some repair while others look as if they have never been used. It is also important to make sure to wash them thoroughly, especially secondhand clothing since you would not know who last wore these items. 

Ukay-Ukay in the city – image source: gmanews.tv

​The presence of numerous ukay-ukay outlets in the Queen City of the South simply shows that there are a number of people in the city who are quite conscious of their budget. It also gives people from nearly all walks of life the opportunity to buy and wear signature brands, which were previously reserved for the more affluent members of society.

What was your most treasured find when you visited an ukay-ukay outlet in Cebu? Tell us about it on the comments section below.