Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

Region I

Division of Pangasinan II

ROSALES NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Rosales, Pangasina

Upcycled: Preferences of Rosales National High

School Students on Ukay-ukay

Ronan D. Nericua

Haishine Anne C. Aguinaldo

Pauline Kate R. Melendez

Mayen Grace P. Marquez

Rhayn Mae C. Erezo

John Paul D. Culala

Researchers

Mr. Gerwin U. Soriano

Teacher
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

Ukay-ukay is a popular "flea market" in the Philippines. It is derived from the

Filipino phrase 'halukay' which literally means 'digging' or 'make a mess'. It is a market

where you can buy secondhand garments that are cheap. A secondhand garment or ukay-

ukay business is a recession proof. In good times, secondhand garment appeals to trendy

youth, frugal parents and the eco-friendly. In hard times, secondhand shops appeal to

everyone. Running a secondhand garment store can be fun and rewarding job particularly

if the entrepreneur loves clothing and accessories (Chapman, 2014). Although Republic

Act No. 4653 has been enacted, there is no clear implementation of this law. R.A.4653 is

an act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by

declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile article

commonly known as used clothing and rags.

People see ukay-ukay market as an alternative to counterpart goods that have

soaring prices. According to Luisito C. Abueg (2005), it has a different marketing, sale

process and how it enters the market is unique thus he may consider it as a special type of

good available in the market. There are various reasons on why consumers especially

Rosales National High School students buy these goods. One is their low prices when

compared to brand new and other bargain apparels.

 When such goods are brought into the country, records would show that some were

not really intended for sale, some are either donations or aid from foreign countries and

others are recorded as pasalubong for Philippines-based relatives. Ukay-ukay items

usually originate in Hong Kong and the United States; enter the Philippines in a manner

different from that of traditional imports. These goods are actually transported to different

stores in Baguio City as well as places in Metro Manila via balikbayan boxes (Abueg,

2005). Contrary to authorities' notion that these commodities are donations from foreign

countries, ukay-ukay items are actually purchased from Hong Kong-based Salvation

Army's rummage sale sites. Those from the United States came from neighborhood home

garage sales (de Castro, 2001).

In the Philippines, ukay-ukay originated in Baguio City, where it has been typically

called wagwagan, and was later adapted in other places. The industry first began with

stalls at the sidewalks, and in a span of two years, reports account that the ukay-ukay

business is already generates a gross income of Php 1.2 million daily (Cabreza, 2001).

Secondhand garment or ukay-ukay as it is called in the Philippines was said to derive its

name from the Filipino word halukay which means to dig or to look for something.

Ilocano speakers used to call it "UK" for short. The ukay-ukay has successfully carved its

own niche in the country's local clothing industry. Inside these secondhand clothes stores,

shoppers are forced to dig or sift through endless racks of clothes for a good find. The

spread of ukay-ukay shops have made the practices of a norm among Filipinos. The allure

of inexpensive clothes continues to draw people inside these shops to look for branded

clothes for less and eclectic but tasteful pieces (ffemagazine, 2013).
 Buying and selling of some branded secondhand clothes and apparels became the

main business of some people in the Philippines especially at Rosales, Pangasinan. The

researchers saw and observed that there is lot of stalls selling ukay-ukay in Rosales. In

the question of philstar.com, "Do you agree with the proposal to leagalize the importance

of ukay-ukay or secondhand garments to earn revenues from the government?” many of

them said, "Yes", especially Luisito Vallo who is from Pangasinan, he agreed not because

he is for it but because it would add revenue to the government coffer. Also, Jesus

Mendoza said that legalizing the importance of ukay-ukay will earn revenue for the

government however; he also said that it will be at the expense of the local garments

industry.

This research was conducted to identify the reasons and factors on why some

Rosales National High School students prefer upcycled than the brand new, branded ones

or any other bargain apparels. This study also aimed to widen the knowledge of people

about upcycled or ukay-ukay. And, this study wanted to determine the problems

encountered by the consumers of ukay-ukay and the benefits they can acquire in buying

ukay-ukay products.
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the preferences on ukay-ukay over other thrift shops

among Rosales National High School students.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. Why do Rosales National High School students choose thrift shopping?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of thrift shopping?

3. What advice could you give to people who avoid or never experience buying

ukay-ukay goods?

Scope and Delimitation

This study mainly focuses on the preferences of senior high students of Rosales

National High School, especially the students under Accountancy, Business and

Management (ABM) strand on ukay-ukay upcycled. This study aims to know why

students purchase their clothes, shoes and other garments in ukay-ukay markets. It also

aims to know the factors that affect the students to purchase in ukay-ukay markets.

Purposive sampling will be utilized to 30 respondents, 10 respondents from each section

of Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) strand (A1, A2, and A3). Information

will be elicited through interviews and survey.

Significance of the Study

This study is focused on the preferences of senior high students of Rosales National

High School on ukay-ukay. It is also focused on the factors that affect the students in

choosing ukay-ukay. The results of the study will be beneficial to the following:

Students - This study will benefit them for they would gather information or knowledge

about ukay-ukay. Information can either inspire them or stop them on thrift shopping.

Ukay-ukay Vendors - This study will help them to increase their income because of the

advantages and some disadvantages of purchasing in ukay-ukay markets.

Buyers - This study will give information and help them to save more money.

Researchers - This study will benefit the researchers. It would help them to know the

answers for their uestions on their study. This study will also provide the researchers

knowledge all about ukay-ukay that they could share to other people.

Future Researchers - The benefits of this study to future researchers are they will have

knowledge about ukay-ukay and they will know the advantages and disadvantages of

purchasing ukay-ukay goods. Also, they will have an idea on how to run ukay-ukay

business and how many people would love to buy ukay-ukay goods.
Definition of Terms

Apparel – It is the clothing that is being sold in ukay-ukay, thrift shops and branded

stores.

Bargain – It is something that is bought or sold for a price which is lower than the actual

value. On this study, it is specifically apparels and other garments sold at a price cheaper

whether imitation or used.

Preference – It is something that is liked or wanted more than another thing. On this

study, it refers to what senior high students choose on purchasing their clothing and other

garments over other choices.

Secondhand – It is buying or selling things that have already been owned or used. On this

study, it refers to ukay-ukay that are already owned by someone else, but is sold the

second time around.

Student – A person who attends a school, college, or university. On this study, it refers to

Grade 11 Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) studying at Rosales National

High School.

Thrift shop – A store that sells used goods especially used clothes and that is often run by

a charity. On this study, it refers to the ukay-yaky stores which sell secondhand apparels

and garments.

Ukay-ukay – A Philippine store wherein secondhand apparels such as clothes, bags, shoes

and other accessories are being sold at very cheap prices. On this study, it refers to

alternative store of Rosales senior high students.

Upcycled – Reused in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than

the original. On this study, it refers to a reusable products and process of transforming

products into environmental value.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Foreign and Local Studies

Stevenson and Ed Gmitrowicz (2013) defined secondhand products as the reuse

of an old product while maintaining its original functionality. In some European

countries, they have long traditions of secondhand products consumption. One of those

countries is the United Kingdom; the purchase of used or secondhand products is an

activity that is deeply rooted in their society (Davis, 2010). People from different

countries like Spain and France actively joined the secondhand market due to economic

factors that focused on their economic crisis (Guiot & Roux, 2010). According to Abueg

(2005), in the Philippines, secondhand clothing and garments retail and trade became a

part of the domestic market over the past century. However, the government had to set a

law which is the Republic Act 4653 that banned the importation, sale and retail of ukay-

ukay goods. The main objective of the government in making this law is to protect local

markets and industries but the implementation of it became a persistent problem of the

government. This is because after the enactment of this Act there have been no further

recorded government actions.

 Alam (2014) explained that when a customer buys a product, they want to fulfill a

certain need. Secondhand product has all the abilities to fulfill the customer’s needs in

clothing and other garments. Another reason on why do customers purchase secondhand

products is because of economic and ecological reasons (Guiot & Roux, 2010). Alam

(2014) also explained that in spite of higher risks associated with the secondhand

products such as seller is unknown, the product might be damaged and there is no

warranty, customers still buy secondhand products as an alternaative to new products.

Affordability is also one of the reason on why do people buy secondhand clothes and

other garments, which is important during harsh economic periods (Field, 2000).

In the Philippines, ukay-ukay became a very affordable source of fashionable and

durable clothing material for those with relatively low incomes (Abueg, 2005). It became

appealing because it is a practical choice for clothes shoppers that are on a tight budget

(ffemagazine, 2013). Dalugdog (2012) explained that despite the law banning the

commercial importation of used clothing and rags in Digos City, Davao del Sur, ukay-

ukay market continues to proliferate, even though the products were sold at cheaper

prices. Low prices when compared to substitute and complementary goods is also a

reason on why Filipinos buy these goods (Abueg, 2005). Abueg (2005) also explained

that some people would resort to buy ukay-ukay items because the items are relatively

homogenous with the brand new garments and other accessories that may buy in

shopping malls.

The consumption of secondhand products is considered as one of the best

strategies to protect the environment. It saves natural resources for making new products

as well as it prevents the used products from becoming a waste (Yeh et al., 2010).
However, there are still some costumers who may feel uncertain about the quality of the

used products and they would rather purchase brand news (Yeh et al., 2010). According

to Brooks and Simon (2012), the worsening textiles and clothing industry was severely

affected with the liberalization of the secondhand clothing in Africa. As people in

Malawi, Africa found out that the garments produced in their place have been more

expensive than secondhand clothing, some of the major factories there could not compete

with the cheaper prices offered by the secondhand clothing industry, thus they were

forced to close. At first, the inflow of secondhand clothing in their country was seen as

“the best thing that ever happened to Malawi”, but the consequences to the clothing

industry were devastating to the point that some of the major textile and clothing factories

were damaged and forced to close.

According to Baden & Barber (2005), the secondhand clothing trade was really

helpful for consumers in developing countries; they could gain access to far cheaper

clothes than they would obtain from domestic production. It could also generate

employment as people repair and distribute clothing. However, the employment in

secondhand clothing sector, especially if it is in a informal sector, the employees are not

accompanied by social or legal protection. The impact of it is less clear-cut on

employment in developing countries than it is on consumption. The increase of its

imports is often held responsible for the decline of domestic textile and clothing

production. Fashion in many countries seems to be shifting away like in Africa from

traditional African clothing to more like Western-style clothing, due to the growth of

secondhand clothing consumption. It could also make the tomorrow’s domestic

production less likely, where the domestic production should become economically

competitive.

According to Sata (2013), there are two important factors which influence the

buying behavior of customer which are the individual factors and environmental factors.

Individual factors include demographics, customer’s perception, knowledge, inspiration,

learning, personality, attitude, thoughts and lifestyles. While, environmental factors

include culture, the reference group, social class, family and household. Additionally,

there are also factors that a customer considers while buying a product, these are the

price, brand, risk and location. Those consideration factors could also be different if the

products were based on its category and customer’s personality.

Abueg (2005) suggested that there are other new alternatives to ukay-ukay and

wagwagan. In Baguio City, some shops include export overruns which are not

secondhand items. This is one of the trademarks of retail stores there like, the Baratilyo sa

Harrison and Eastpark Best Selected Items. The interviews with retailers and consumers

of ukay-ukay goods uncovered certain possible solutions to the problem that affects the

national government and the city council of Baguio. Instead of the national government

confiscating and burning the goods they should rather foresee the continuous increase in

the number of secondhand clothing and garments sellers. The interviewees also favored a

control in the number of ukay-ukay shops and stalls, both in Baguio City and the whole

country. Then, some also suggested that Baguio City should remain as the “ukay-ukay

capital” while the national government is limiting other parts of the country from setting

up ukay-ukay and wagwagan stalls.

 Secondhand clothing refers to clothing that was previously owned. It could be not

just secondhand, but third-hand or fourth-hand. The people just know it isn’t new.

Vintage clothing refers to garments that were made in bygone era. Antique clothing is

those garments that are more than a hundred years old now. The market for this is quite

different because collectors of those eras know what they’re looking for and willing to

pay whatever amount for the quality and character. Retro clothing refers to the fashion

that is new. It has the intent to look like and bring back to another era. It brings back a

style that was once popular and faded long time ago and making a comeback. (Bank and

Vogue, 2017)

People who do not patronize ukay-ukay goods suggested that the government must

strictly implement the laws that were enacted years ago, with no exceptions (Abueg,

2005). Ukay-ukay goods are used clothes from first-world countries sent to the

Philippines as relief goods or donations that were used by Filipinos, especially those

business-minded for starting a business. As business-minded Filipinos who found their

opportunities in the oddest things, their business thrives because there is a demand. Also,

ukay-ukay market digs cheap but relatively decent clothes and other garments (SunStar,

2019). Canoy (2019) infers that ukay-ukay is affordable and trendy. The being fashionista

in her suits better at the thrift store without ripping her off. Ferraris (2019) also implies

that ukay-ukay is inexpensive, stylish, one-of-a-kind and she concluded that rare finds

give a sense of achievement and satisfaction each time.

 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter states the research methodology employed in the research study. It

discusses the research design, sources of data, data collection and data analysis.

Research Design

The researchers used the case study method as their research design to identify the

preferences of Rosales National High School students on ukay-ukay. The method that

was used is the appropriate and well-suited in answering open-ended research questions

for this study.

Sources of Data

This study was focused on the preferences of senior high students of Rosales

National High School; especially the students under Accountancy, Business and

Management (ABM) strand on ukay-ukay upcycled, so purposive sampling was utilized

to 30 respondents, 10 respondents from each section of Grade 11 Accountancy, Business

and Management (ABM) strand (A1, A2, and A3).

Data Collection

The researchers collected the data through survey to determine the preferences of

Rosales National High School students on ukay-ukay.

Data Analysis

The data collected by the researchers through survey are the data relevant to their

topic of interest and then the researchers used content analysis to analyze their data with

an inductive approach.
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the data gathered that were analyzed and interpreted. The

findings are presented in tables following the sequences of the specific research problem

regarding the preferences of Rosales National High School students on ukay-ukay.

Table 1: Profile of the Respondents

Characteristics Frequency Percentage

Age

15 years old 2 6.67

16 years old 18 60
17 years old 10 33.33
TOTAL 30 100
Sex
Male 8 26.67
Female 22 73.33
TOTAL 30 100
Table 1 shows the profile of the respondents with regards to age and sex. There are

22 females and 8 males. In terms of age, there are 2 or 7% respondents who are 15 years

old, 18 or 60% are 16 years old and 10 or 33% are 17 years old.

Table 2: Preferences of Respondents on Ukay-ukay

Frequency Percentage
1. Reasons on why students
choose ukay-ukay
a. Cheap 30 60
b. Good Quality 15 30
c. Quantity 5 10
TOTAL 50 100
2. Advantages of ukay-ukay
a. Durability 12 27.91
b. Affordability 10 23.26
c. Discount 12 27.91
 d. Many Choices 5 11.63
e. Convenient 4 9.30
TOTAL 43 100
3. Disadvantages of ukay-ukay
a. Dirty 9 30
b. Nasty 3 10
c. Damaged 11 36.67
d. Low quality 3 10
e. Time-consuming 4 13.33
TOTAL 30 100

Table 2 shows the preferences of respondents on ukay-ukay with regards to reasons

of students in choosing ukay-ukay, advantages and disadvantages of ukay-ukay. In the
first item which is the reasons on why students choose ukay-ukay, many respondents
answered, ukay-ukay goods are cheap which has the highest frequency of 30 or 60%,
followed by the good quality with a frequency of 15 or 30% and lastly, the quantity with
the frequency of 5 or 10%. The first item has the total frequency and percentage of 50
and 100%.

In the second item which is the advantages of ukay-ukay, durability and discount
have the highest and same frequency of 12 or 27.91%, followed by affordability with the
frequency of 10 or 23.26%, many choices with the frequency of 5 or 11.63% and lastly,
the convenient with the frequency of 4 or 9.30%. The second item has the total frequency
and percentage of 43 and 100%.

In the third item which is the disadvantages of ukay-ukay, damaged has the highest
frequency of 11 or 36.67%, followed by dirty with the frequency of 9 or 30%, time-
consuming with the frequency of 4 or 13.33% and lastly, the nasty and low quality with
the frequency of 3 or 10%. The third item has the total frequency and percentage of 30
and 100%.
Table 3: Advices for the People Who Avoid or Never Experience Buying Ukay-ukay
Goods

Advices
“You can save more money in thrift shopping.”
“You can find unique items in ukay-ukay stores.”
“You can buy items that are in good condition even if, it is secondhand.”
“You can gain more knowledge about styling yourself through having ukau-ukay goods.”
“Secondhand apparel is better than bargain apparel or other thrift shops, so shop now in
ukay-ukay stores.”
“Even if thrift shopping is time-consuming in picking or choosing goods, the fulfillment
it can give you after is worth it.”

Table 3 shows the advices of respondents to those people who avoid or never
experience buying ukay-ukay goods. Most of the respondents gave positive reviews and
comments, like how the ukay-ukay goods are affordable, durable, unique, and have good
quality.
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter presents the summary of findings of the study, the conclusions derived
from the findings and the recommendations for this research study Upcycled: Preferences
of Rosales National High School Students on Ukay-ukay.

Summary of Findings

The main purpose of the study was to determine the preferences of Rosales National
High School senior high Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) students on
ukay-ukay. Majority of the respondents of this study are female with a number of of 22 or
73.33%, while male respondents have a number of 8 or 26.67%. Also, majority of the
respondents are aged 16 years old with the number of 18 or 60%, 17 years old
respondents with the number of 10 or 33.33% and 15 years old respondents with the
number of 2 or 6.67% is the lowest.

The preferences of Rosales National High School students on ukay-ukay have many
reasons. The researchers had come up to the ideas of why students purchase at ukay-ukay
stores, which are because of cheap price, good quality and you could buy more goods if
you’ll shop there. There are also advantages on ukay-ukay that’s why there are many
people who shop there, which are the discounts they can acquire, the quality and
durability of the goods, it is affordable, you have many choices in shopping and the
convenience it can give you. Also, if ukay-ukay has advantages, it also has disadvantages
that include the damages of the goods, the dirtiness and nastiness of goods and lastly, if
you’ll shop at ukay-ukay stores, it is time-consuming.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, the following are concluded:

1. Rosales National High School students choose thrift shopping because of the
goods that are being sold there have cheap prices, good quality and they can buy
more goods in thrift shopping.
2. In thrift shopping, if there are advantages, there are also disadvantages.
Advantages of thrift shopping include the discount, the quality of goods,
affordable, many choices and convenient. And, disadvantages of thrift shopping
include the damages, dirtiness, nastiness, low qualities of the goods and it is time-
consuming.
3. The advices of respondents to those people who avoid or never experience
buying ukay-ukay goods are positive reviews and comments that include how
ukay-ukay goods are affordable, durable, unique, and have good quality.

Recommendation

The researchers would like to recommend to the future researchers the following:

1. Involve more respondents from other strands who are into thrift shopping.
2. Conduct a research on ukay-ukay goods sellers and the market of ukay-ukay.
3. Furthermore, future researchers must investigate the other factors of thrift
shopping or ukay-ukay.