A fundraising project at the University of the Philippines is facing backlash for their perceived overpriced jackets.
In a post on Facebook by the volunteer group “Nowhere to Go but UP,” they wrote: “Thank you for your overwhelming support! These jackets are not just articles of clothing: they’re pieces of art. Each one features vibrant handwoven patterns and traditional textiles from weaving communities from around the country.”
“The indigenous materials used to make the limited edition Pinas Sadya UP jacket include Hablon Weave from Negros, Cosicos Weave from Abra, Binakol Weave from Ilocos, Langkit Weave from Marawi, and Piña Barong from Aklan. These jackets cost between Php 7,500 and Php 9,500.
Those who are able to purchase the jacket not only helps in supporting the UP varsity teams but also “help sustain Filipino artisans and weaving communities.
So you’re not just helping our athletes in their efforts to bring honor to the University–you also help preserve our cultural heritage and uplift the lives of those who create these exceptional pieces,” they added.
While this is for a good cause, some social media users questioned the cost of the jacket, with some pointing out that it is overpriced.
One user wrote, “Kung fund raising kasi ang goal, dapat ang strategy is more sales, means more profit margin. Hindi less sales pero VERY HUGE profit margin per sale. Masyado pong mahal. Nag focus sa niche market with the design. Niche din yung profit nyan [If fundraising is the goal, the strategy should be more sales, which means more profit margin. Not less sales but VERY HUGE profit margin per sale. It’s too expensive. They focused on niche markets with the design. The profit would also be niche].”
“Grabe din [Too much], as much as I wanted one, the price is just not for me. And even if the materials justify the cost, kahit sabihin nyo pa na mura na yan [even though you say it’s already cheap], your target market is not for UP but for the selected few, the elite. It’s just not practical for the most of us and the comments here is proof,” a second user wrote.
A third user wrote, “Nowhere to but UP the prices – Luxury Goods edition.”
Even though some people were not thrilled with the jackets’ prices, other social media users defended the fundraising costs in the comments section.
The volunteer group “Nowhere to Go but UP” has not yet issued a statement regarding the outcry over their jackets being overpriced as of this writing.
Other POP! stories you might like:
Comic Quest marks the end of an era with the closure of its SM Megamall location
Actor John Arcilla shares his take on the Jennings-Racal drama, supporters and critics weigh in
‘Ungkatan ng past?’: Filipinos revisit past celebrity breakups in light of Maris-Anthony issue
Social media users find out drag race event referenced in Maris-Anthony issue
Broadcast journalist Rhea Santos among the 75 Filipino-Canadians named as faces of migration