IMITATION AND TECH
F R O M D I V I S I O R I A T O S H O P E E
R E C T O T O L I B G E N
Every Christmas season, Filipinos flock to Divisoria and palengkes to prepare for the holidays. It’s a tradition rooted in practicality and creativity, a way to show that we can make limited resources stretch farther. For many, including my family, it’s a chance to buy gifts and find the perfect Christmas outfit for the Evening Mass and pamamasko to our Ninongs and Ninangs.
When I was a child, our family couldn’t afford shopping mall prices, so Divisoria became our haven. As I grew older, I joined them in their yearly quest (usually during November) through narrow and crowded alleys of Divisoria. From Bulacan, we would travel for at least 2 hours to go to Divisoria. Being in Divisoria is like going on a war, an experience that would greatly overload our senses. There are a lot of people going around, very chaotic, and our senses are heightened especially on our valuables.
The entire experience was overwhelming and tiring, yet interesting and worth it, given the amount of savings one can get through buying knock-offs and Class A versions of various brands. Indeed, the culture of imitation and reproduction has been the major fuel of these markets, and it is interesting to look into it.
KNOCKA FILIPINO OFFS STAPLE
The allure of getting into imitation and knock-off brands is undeniable. Imagine paying more than half the price for something that is as durable and stylish as the original one. The Crocs that I always wear when going to school were only bought for only Php 250.
There are similar items that are cheaper than what I bought (but of course, I also considered other factors). No one really cares if the Crocs I’m wearing are original or not, as long as it is functional.
Since moving to a dormitory near Maginhawa, Dali has become my go-to grocery spot. When I looked at their shelves, I saw that the famous knock-off food brands could not be seen already. As I looked for its reasons online, I found out that companies like NutriAsia filed lawsuits against Dali for imitations of their brands.
This reflects a larger tension between affordability and intellectual property an issue Filipinos unconsciously navigate daily. Although it goes against laws regarding intellectual property, we cannot really cease the production and consumption of these imitations because of social and economic influence on the lives of Filipinos.
Imitations and (re)production are synonymous with Recto Avenue. Whether it’s for your second-hand books, photocopied reviewers and texts, or even faking your college diplomas or driver's licenses, the street provides access to necessities that remain out of reach for many. I remember buying Senior High School books in Recto, and it was such a steal considering the quality of the second-hand book that I got.
Although illegal, counterfeit diplomas and IDs can be life-changing for some people. My lolo relied on one when he worked in Saudi Arabia for most of his life. While controversial, Recto’s duplications offer opportunities to improve someone’s life. However, of course, we cannot deny the fact that there are people who use these for bad practices like deception and fraud.
T H E R I S E O F
S
H O P E E A N D L I B G E N
Currently, my parents are not that frequent anymore in Divisoria due to the rise of online platforms like Shopee and Lazada. It offers convenience and accessibility, without the hassle of going through the massive crowd. It is also easier to compare prices and check the quality of the knock-off product through the reviews of previous customers.
Furthermore, I do not need to go to Recto to look for the required books as I can easily search them through Libgen or Anna’s Archive. These sites have been my refuge and life-saver in looking for references without the hassle of going through the library or Recto. Instead of buying $500 for an e-book copy of the latest book, you can get it for free. Although yes, this is pirating, I argue that knowledge should be accessible for all and should be accessed for free.
As advancements in technology continue to develop, it becomes increasingly difficult to identify the line between real and replicas. Knock-offs and imitations look really similar now to the originals and have comparable quality. In my opinion, the challenge should not be to penalize those patronizing these products, but the critique should be focused on the system that perpetuates the culture of imitation.
