nowheretogobutUP provides fans of the University of the Philippines (UP) with a way to express their support through their wardrobe choices. The organization, which is composed of the school's alumni, aims to "help, support and assist in the development, improvement, and advancement of UP sports teams and their coaches, coaching staff and student-athletes" through merchandise and donation drives.
One of the brand's latest initiatives was the "Wear Your Fight" collection, which features jackets made with distinct Filipino textiles. However, the price tags of such pieces have become a polarizing topic among netizens, who have debated the justification of such rates.
LOOK: nowheretogobutUP Releases Jackets Featuring Filipino Textiles
In partnership with Pinas Sadya, a slow fashion label that uplifts local patterns with their ready-to-wear pieces, the "Wear Your Fight" selection is designed after various touchpoints that would resonate with any UP fan. On their official website, the collection is modeled by celebrity alumni Kaladkaren, Angel Aquino, Jessica Soho, Ryan Cayabyab, and more.
Luntian at Pula, P8500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
Maroon Lane, P8500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
Heart Attack Game, P7500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
"The jackets showcase intricate, handwoven patterns that tell generational stories through diverse Filipino textiles like Binakol, Inabel, Kantarines, Hablon, Langkit, Piña fabric, and Callado embroidery," Pinas Sadya founder Skeeter Labastilla-Turgut states. They add that each piece is handmade and produced by communities in Marikina, Antipolo, Las Piñas, and Batangas.
In terms of pricing, the limited edition collection ranges from P7,500 to P9,500 depending on the specific style and design. They're available in small to XXL sizes and are made for pre-order.
Butterfly Stroke, P8500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
Oble, P8500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
Goal Unisex Sports Jacket, P9500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
According to Skeeter, sales will "fund 30 UP varsity teams, benefiting nearly a thousand athletes competing in UAAP events by providing crucial resources for training, equipment, and logistics."
On their end, nowheretogobutUP adds that purchasers "[are] not just helping [UP] athletes in their efforts to bring honor to the university" as they are also helping in preserving their "cultural heritage and [uplifting] the lives of those who create these exceptional pieces."
Home Run Barong Sports Jacket, P9500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
Checkmate Lumban Barong Jacket, P9500, NOWHERETOGOBUTUP, store.nowheretogobutup.ph
Netizens React to Prices of New University of the Philippines Merchandise
Netizens caught wind of the collection, and while many expressed their support, some have contested the pieces' prices.
One X user pointed out that if the collection aims to raise funds, the pieces should be priced lower to encourage more sales. "Why not use other materials, make it at least mid-range price without compromising the quality?" another proposed.
RJ Santos of Randolf Clothing, a Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designer 2023 honoree and a graduate of the University of the Philippines' Clothing Technology program, gave his two cents on the matter, highlighting how the use of piña fabric, in particular, already justifies such pricing.
RJ went on to emphasize that the collection is a limited-edition and utilizes "non-commercial, locally handwoven textiles," which merits a higher price point. For perspective, he mentioned how the use of fleece, an arguably more accessible fabric, would be "easier to produce at 70% less cost."
Other netizens echoed this sentiment, reiterating how the fabric used in the pieces is not obtained in large proportions. One stated how the collection is meant to raise funds for the school's athletic teams, and not necessarily for mass consumption.
Spotlighting how the jackets were made by local craftspeople, one netizen expressed, "We fight to prove [that] Filipino designers and artists' [works] are [premia], but when we price them [as] premium, people complain [that they're] inaccessible."
To illustrate nowheretogobutUP and Pinas Sadya's initiative, they likened buying a jacket to a pledge or donation to UP's varsity teams.
"Fair price na yan [considering] how long and how much effort the workers [exhausted] to produce those," another chimed in. One offered their perspective on how "ironic" it is that local buyers shy away from purchasing items that make use of Filipino styles and patterns. "The challenge is how can we make quality Filipino products accessible to everyone," they write.
The "Wear Your Fight" collection is only one of nowheretogobutUP's initiatives in financially supporting the school's sporting arms. Their catalog also includes T-shirts and other merchandise at prices as low as P650. You can view their offerings on their website.
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