We have transitioned from the wholesome and ‘kinda’ peaceful holidays back to regular programming, with another polarizing discourse igniting on the internet.
It has only been a week since we welcomed the new year but the public is already delving into the topic of love, relationships, and financial stability again to start the year as an engagement ring issue went trending on social media.
This whole fiasco started with a screenshot posted on Facebook of an anonymous user sharing her sentiments regarding the engagement ring she received lately from her long-term boyfriend’s recent proposal. However, the bombshell catch is she found out that the ring only amounted to 299 php on an online shopping application.
“Ganito lang ba kababa yung halaga ko sa kanya na hindi niya manlang pinag ipunan pambili ng ring? Or di ko ba dapat e big deal? Am I too immature to feel this way? [Is this how low my worth is for him that he did not even think of saving money for a ring? Or should I not make a big deal out of it? Am I too immature to feel this way?],” the woman expressed her disappointment.
“Hindi nya alam na nakita ko yung ring binili nya sa shoppee. Ignore ko nlang ba tong nafefeel ko? Or should I confront him, kaso ayoko din nman masira yung moment [He does not know that I saw the ring he bought on Shopee. Do I ignore what I am feeling? Or should I confront him? However, I also do not want to ruin the moment.],” she continued.
Even though the viral screenshot states that it was posted on the “Hugot Ni Juan” page, it is claimed that it was originally posted on the “Philippine Counseling Community (Hide Your Identity)” public group page in August 2023 and is said to be circulated without proper credits.
Of course, the whole internet went wild with this revelation as it earned different reactions and was shared numerous times by other users from millions of users. Numerous people weighed in on the issue with some siding with the woman stating that the boyfriend should have known already his partner’s wants, needs, and priorities throughout their eight-year relationship. According to users, they should have discussed their thoughts about engagement and marriage to properly prepare for it when the right time arrives. They said that it is the “bare minimum” to prepare and give one’s effort in a romantic relationship, which includes spending money or making something special and sentimental for your significant other.
“Doon sa babae na nag post na sobrang bothered sa engagement ring, valid po ang kanyang feelings. [About the woman who posted about being extremely bothered about her engagement ring, her feelings are valid.] She knows it’s been 8 years, and she knows she’s worth more than that. There’s nothing wrong with knowing you deserve more,” a user shared in a post.
“If you can’t even afford a decent engagement ring then don’t ask for marriage, you are still not ready to have a family. Before ka pumasok sa kasal make sure na you are financially and mentally ready [Before you go to marriage, make sure you are financially and mentally ready], and a 299 engagement ring speaks that you are still not financially ready,” another user defended the woman whose identity remains to be uncertain to the public.
“This engagement ring 299 issue exposes those who romanticize poverty who are making idle excuses like heck may nakita pako ‘atleast nagpropose’ luh? kung low standard kayo wag nyo damay iba [I even read “at least he proposed”. What? If you have a low standard, do not involve other people] its OKAY TO HAVE PREFERENCES!!!! its okay to have a HIGH STANDARD!,” an X (formerly Twitter) user argued on her account.
More and more social media users laid down their arguments online:
Well-known influencers also shared their sentiments on the issue.
@mommytonifowlerofficialMasasabi ko sa 299 engagement ring ❤️ Magkakaiba tayo ng pananaw at sitwasyon sa buhay. Hindi dahil mababa ang standards ko, kundi alam ko din na kaya nyang bumuo ng pamilya sa financial support at sa emotional support na maibibigay saakin + practical akong tao. ❤️♬ original sound – Toni Fowler
@aynbernos299-peso engagement ring 🤔♬ original sound – Ayn Bernos
@lynelllopez Replying to @Zia ♬ original sound – lynell
@inkamagnaye Replying to @HeraDee16 ♬ original sound – Inka Magnaye
@_ms.lhia The FACT na 8 YEARS sila tas ganon. tas sa shopee. it’s not being ungrateful; you’re just setting standards for yourself #foryou #fyp ♬ hurricane – audios
Meanwhile, there are many people on the man’s side on this one, reasoning that cheap engagement or wedding rings “do not matter” as what is important is the marriage itself. It does not guarantee the future of the couple and the family that they will build. Several shared their own experience of choosing simplicity and practicality over extravagant and expensive weddings due to their financial condition and personal preferences and priorities. Based on them, in the end, it is still about love and commitment rather than material things.
“Ikaw ate girl, it’s thought that counts ang iba diyan, wala ngang engagement ring!! Just be lucky meron pa nag propose sayo. Kasi ang iba diyan, hanggang girlfriend/boyfriend lang, [You girl, it’s the thought that counts. There are even others who don’t have an engagement ring!! You are lucky there is someone who proposed to you. Because some relationships settle in the boyfriend/girlfriend stage.],” told a Facebook user, criticizing the original poster.
“Hindi naman nasusukat sa kung gaano kamahal ang value ng isang bagay na matataggap mo, kundi nasusukat to dun sa taong nag bigay sayo, kung gaano sya at ikaw kahalaga sa isat isa. Whether engagememt ring man yan, wedding ring o kung anong bagay man yan, [It is not measurable with how high the value of something you received but you can measure it to the person who gave it to you, how the two of you cherished one another, whether it is an engagement ring, wedding ring, or any material stuff.],” emphasized another user.
Furthermore, one user offered their perspective, “For me wala yan sa presyo, nasa relationship yan kung gaano mo pinahahalagahan ang iyong commitment sa yong partner. Aanhin mo naman ang pagkamahal-mahal na singsing kung wala ka naman pagpapahalaga sa binuo mong pamilya or relasyon, [For me, it is not about the price, it is in the relationship on how you value your commitment to your partner. What is the point of an expensive ring if you do not treasure the family and relationship you have made.]”
At the end of the day, we can say that it all boils down to our preferences. If you don’t want a 299-peso engagement ring, there’s nothing wrong with being vocal about that. On the other hand, if you can get engaged without considering the price of the ring, that’s also okay. Whether it’s 299 pesos or 299,000, expensive or not, what’s important is where you feel most loved.
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