Are Filipinos Brand Conscious?

**_Cathy_** · January 5th, 2018 04:54 PM

Do we really like brands? Is it an Asian and American thing?

My new European VP told me several times that us Filipinos must earn a lot and even more than them in Europe. I accompanied him to shop for his wife and he found out that designer brands are more expensive here in the PH and yet he sees it EVERYWHERE. I was really pissed because I wanted my boss to know that money is really hard for us Filipinos so he would feel sorry for me and give me a raise

How can I do that now when he thinks Filipinos have so much money

eg in my office we have staff who earn about P25k net carrying midrange designer bags of the same amount.

**enzo6k** · January 5th, 2018 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by _Cathy_

Do we really like brands? Is it an Asian and American thing?

My new European VP told me several times that us Filipinos must earn a lot and even more than them in Europe. I accompanied him to shop for his wife and he found out that designer brands are more expensive here in the PH and yet he sees it EVERYWHERE. I was really pissed because I wanted my boss to know that money is really hard for us Filipinos so he would feel sorry for me and give me a raise

How can I do that now when he thinks Filipinos have so much money

eg in my office we have staff who earn about P25k net carrying midrange designer bags of the same amount.

tell him it was just a copy

**uls** · January 5th, 2018 05:04 PM

Re: Are Filipinos Brand Conscious?

more like image conscious

brands are used to project image

**uls** · January 5th, 2018 05:08 PM

everyone wants to look successful

or look like they've "arrived"

one way to show you've arrived is buy displaying status symbols

**_Cathy_** · January 5th, 2018 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by uls

more like image conscious

brands are used to project image

But doesn't it have to be consistent? Like a whole lifestyle. You can't just buy brands and expect people to think that you are rich hehehe

**uls** · January 5th, 2018 05:12 PM

for other people all they need is to project the image

kahit zero balance ang bank account, kahit lumalaki ang utang sa credit card

kahit walang parking para sa kotse

hindi naman nakikita saan nakatira, ano laman ng bangko

**uls** · January 5th, 2018 05:15 PM

kahit fake

basta mag mukhang sosy lang

**_Cathy_** · January 5th, 2018 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by uls

kahit fake

basta mag mukhang sosy lang

Baka nga 50% ng nakita ng VP naman fake. He just assumed all of it are real. So now he thinks pinoys earn a lot. How can I convince him otherwise

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**vinj** · January 5th, 2018 05:41 PM

Brand conscious is not only in relation to social status aspirations but in a sense that they equate brands to value for money and quality. For example, sa kotse dapat Toyota para reliable and high resale value.

Also, did you just go to the high end malls that represent the upper middle and elite classes?

**Wh1stl3r** · January 5th, 2018 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by _Cathy_

But doesn't it have to be consistent? Like a whole lifestyle. You can't just buy brands and expect people to think that you are rich hehehe

Naku hindi hehe. I know someone maporma who ate nothing but cup noodles at lunch to save enough money for a trip to Europe. Barely 1 month into it nagkaroon sya ng kidney stones.

I also have a relative who had about a dozen Rolexes at one time but only buys clothes from Kmart and eats fast food.

On the opposite side of the spectrum I know a guy in his 70s who never really spent much on himself. He might be a peso billionaire by now but he still gets around in an 20+ year old car. Wears Hanes white shirts na butas and slacks made by his tailor.

He definitely enjoys making money than spending it. Sad thing is, he's too old to enjoy it now. And probably still doesn't know how to.

Imho it's their call what to do with their money (and debt) naman. Besides, if everyone had good spending habits our economy probably wouldn't grow as fast.