The Ukay-ukay industry is getting smarter. Everytime I go up Baguio, they've gotten a backgrounder of designer goods and priced their items accordingly. But at least some brands are still alien, and some of the best vintage finds are in incomprehensible languages or logos.

The Helmut Lang shirt is a classic tailored white polo. Fabric is heavenly. Tag says "Made in Italy". My heart jumped as I found it amidst a rack of tattered sweaters and cotton tees. The secret in being able to haggle in ukay? Never show excitement over a find. They will sense that it is valuable and should be priced higher. If possible, fake a sincerely hesitant or disgusted face. Deliberate out loud if you should purchase or not. Make mindless remarks on the reasons on why you shouldn't purchase it (i.e. might not match anything, don't have shoes for it, a thread is sticking out).

I didn't get to go around much. There weren't much bags. I bought a couple of articles I might sell to my officemates. Come to think of it, I can just make that an alternative career. I will be an ukay-ukay hunter who will sell to those who cannot hunt. Yes, maybe I will (sometime in the future).

By the by, I also got a bargain on a puffa fur-lined hoodie. Now I just need to tell the office to jack up the airconditioning a couple of notches...