The Christian Women’s Association of the Silliman University Church used to hold an annual pre-Christmas Rummage Sale in the 1970’s.
This was a much- anticipated activity by the women of the Church and of the Dumaguete community, when used clothing was not readily available in bulk for recycling as it is today in several ukay-ukay spots in the City.
Weeks before the CWA rummage sale, announcements were made asking for donations of used clothing from Church members and friends, many of whom believed that it was the right time to clean their closets and aparadors to provide spare for newer stuff.
The CWA officers and volunteer women under the supervision of the Christian Education head would meet to sort the garments into men’s, women’s, and children’s wear, and to price the items. This was an activity that was enjoyed by the women, for it was accompanied by fun brought about by the presence of Betty Aldecoa-Caduyac.
Then, as now, Betty was already appreciated for her hilarious manner of giving comments, telling jokes and narrating stories. She would, for example, hold up a blouse that was too faded in color and declare: Angay ra pud ning himuong trapo! (This will be better used as a rag for wiping).
The task of getting ready for the rummage sale became lighter and effortless.
Pricing the items could bring about some problems. Our target buyers were the poorer families of the community; hence, discussions would arise between the “high pricers” and the “low pricers”.
Even if a garment looked brand new because it had not seen much wear, it could not be priced like a similar one sold in the department stores downtown. (Besides, we would remind each other that it was donated free to us.)
There would be donations of bags and shoes once in a while, and these were also priced reasonably for our target buyers.
On the day of the rummage sale, women arrived early, and patiently waited for the start of the sale. They were eager customers who had saved money for the occasion. One or two of them would have more money than the rest, and they would try to “over-buy” with the idea of reselling the clothing to make their own money.
We were quick to spot them so we could explain why we could not allow this. We wanted the sale to serve other buyers and their families.
Most, if not all, of the garments would be sold, a sign that affordable second-hand clothing indeed met a need in the community.
Today, the ukay-ukay continues to fill this need, but with a “glamor twist” with its wider variety and types of clothing for sale.
