Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Of Fauxleys and fakeleys
A friend asked me why there are those who bash out on social media about people buying imitation or fake products. She lamented that she cannot agree with them branding these people as social climbers for just buying counterfeit products.
Personally, I do not see any reason why somebody would buy something that is counterfeit of a signature brand. Especially if that somebody is aware that he is buying counterfeit. So why do we support counterfeit? It just don't make sense at all. Having an alligator logo on your shirt does not really make you look better. Having the check mark on your shoes or the oval logo on your sunglasses does not make you look any better at all as its just brand trademarks.
You can buy locally made products. Shoes and sandals from Carcar for example. They are not fake but they have good quality. Or other lesser known brands. Sometimes these lesser known brands have better quality than the branded ones. I would buy local and unbranded products instead of buying imitation from a used clothing stalls at flea markets.
Because a typical pinoy cannot afford the real thing, so most would resort to buy counterfeit or used clothing to fancy that he too can wear Lacoost, Romex and a pair of Fakeley sunglasses. This is a sad reality. And maybe that is why there are those that would brand people patronizing counterfeits as social climbers. Because maybe of the simple reason that they want to wear signature clothes but cannot afford the real thing.
In a typical pinoy scenario, buying counterfeit and imitations are normal. In fact this activity has been the norm. Another sad reality. Not only does this hurt the legitimate products but we become pirates in our own right. But then again, this is because of affordability. And I have to admit, some of these imitations have better durability and designs. So this is the reason more and more are buying counterfeits. Sad but true.
To be fair, those who do patronize imitations are not social climbers. They do buy these because of preference, the design, the fit and comfort, availability and most importantly, they are very affordable. More affordable than the legitimate local products and the lesser known brands.
However, I do wish that the society would change. They should realize that buying counterfeit can hurt the economy and the legitimate local products. And instead would support proudly made local products.
Personally, I do not see any reason why somebody would buy something that is counterfeit of a signature brand. Especially if that somebody is aware that he is buying counterfeit. So why do we support counterfeit? It just don't make sense at all. Having an alligator logo on your shirt does not really make you look better. Having the check mark on your shoes or the oval logo on your sunglasses does not make you look any better at all as its just brand trademarks.
You can buy locally made products. Shoes and sandals from Carcar for example. They are not fake but they have good quality. Or other lesser known brands. Sometimes these lesser known brands have better quality than the branded ones. I would buy local and unbranded products instead of buying imitation from a used clothing stalls at flea markets.
Because a typical pinoy cannot afford the real thing, so most would resort to buy counterfeit or used clothing to fancy that he too can wear Lacoost, Romex and a pair of Fakeley sunglasses. This is a sad reality. And maybe that is why there are those that would brand people patronizing counterfeits as social climbers. Because maybe of the simple reason that they want to wear signature clothes but cannot afford the real thing.
In a typical pinoy scenario, buying counterfeit and imitations are normal. In fact this activity has been the norm. Another sad reality. Not only does this hurt the legitimate products but we become pirates in our own right. But then again, this is because of affordability. And I have to admit, some of these imitations have better durability and designs. So this is the reason more and more are buying counterfeits. Sad but true.
To be fair, those who do patronize imitations are not social climbers. They do buy these because of preference, the design, the fit and comfort, availability and most importantly, they are very affordable. More affordable than the legitimate local products and the lesser known brands.
However, I do wish that the society would change. They should realize that buying counterfeit can hurt the economy and the legitimate local products. And instead would support proudly made local products.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Leg stretch
Riding a bicycle on the city streets is a very different experience than on the mountain trails where we are so used to. It is even a more unique experience riding on nighttime where there are lots of glaring headlights, potholes, manholes and dark alleys. Yet all these are what makes night ride a different kind of fun and euphoria on your bicycle.As my biking buddy and I have a passion for pedaling so do we love eating pizza at our favorite cafe. So by home stretch we stop for a hot freshly baked homemade special recipe pizza and below zero refreshing beer at their main branch just along Gorordo avenue. Perfect carbo loading after a sweaty spin around the city. In my opinion this is the best tasting thin crust pizza out there.
Why we love this joint is not only for their pizza and their support for local art and artist, but their support for a livable and sustainable Cebu. They have a bicycle rack for cyclist to park their wheels. This is why this stand out for me and my buddy, not only for their great pizza but for supporting alternative transport. And we being cyclist are advocates of alternative transport.
Local government should support and encourage alternative transport,
most specifically bicycles. To start, establishments should put bike racks to encourage more bicycle commuters. Better yet, it should be a requirement for all buildings and establishments to have one. Bicycles are easy to operate, has zero emissions and fun to ride with. Although it will still take years to have the buy in from everyone, but it is a start. Heck it will take more time for bikers to gain the respect on the roads from pedestrians and motorists.For me and my bike buddy, we will continue to pedal the streets of Cebu (and drink more beers). Hoping that in our little way we are promoting for a more sustainable and livable city. Encouraging more to ride bicycles, appreciate the outdoors and reduce our carbon footprint. And someday we will see the change that we are advocating.
Keep pedaling! Cheers.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Getting back on shape ...well sort of
After months of hiatus, finally I went back for a work out.
And boy it feels good.
Amazing how everyone nowadays are so conscious about health, yet I cannot help but be amused about it. Mostly would skip breakfast in the hopes of losing weight. Others would start eating fruits and vegetables. And there are those that would enroll in a gym membership.
Why? Because we are influenced by the society and more specifically by the social media to be health conscious. Amusing how one would go to the gym yet never change their eating habits, or those that change their eating habits yet never care to do some sweating. Maybe because we are in a generation where everything is instant. "Press start" generation or you can call it the "click enter" generation. You know what I mean.
Almost everywhere there is a benefit run being held on weekends. Personally I think it is more of a business run. Why not run at the local park or even better, run on the mountain trails for pure fun and sweat. And it is free! But of course, it is great to support local runs, not only is it fun and an avenue to gain new friends but you are also helping local non profit organization on their advocacy. After all, it is a benefit run.
Do wish people would change their perceptions on being fit and all. It would not hurt to eat healthier, hit the gym and the rubber oval for some sweating. After all we need to take care of our bodies, otherwise we will be the biggest losers.
As for me, I'll make sure to do more work outs often and looking forward for a better me.
And boy it feels good.
Amazing how everyone nowadays are so conscious about health, yet I cannot help but be amused about it. Mostly would skip breakfast in the hopes of losing weight. Others would start eating fruits and vegetables. And there are those that would enroll in a gym membership.Why? Because we are influenced by the society and more specifically by the social media to be health conscious. Amusing how one would go to the gym yet never change their eating habits, or those that change their eating habits yet never care to do some sweating. Maybe because we are in a generation where everything is instant. "Press start" generation or you can call it the "click enter" generation. You know what I mean.
Almost everywhere there is a benefit run being held on weekends. Personally I think it is more of a business run. Why not run at the local park or even better, run on the mountain trails for pure fun and sweat. And it is free! But of course, it is great to support local runs, not only is it fun and an avenue to gain new friends but you are also helping local non profit organization on their advocacy. After all, it is a benefit run.
Do wish people would change their perceptions on being fit and all. It would not hurt to eat healthier, hit the gym and the rubber oval for some sweating. After all we need to take care of our bodies, otherwise we will be the biggest losers.
As for me, I'll make sure to do more work outs often and looking forward for a better me.
Friday, February 21, 2014
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