Groups like Iloilo Barter Community 🇵🇭 and Iloilo Barter Society !! is taking Iloilo City by storm.
I interviewed four ‘barteristas’, picked their brains and asked them why this Facebook barter system works well for the Ilonggos and why it’s a thing right now.
Here are 8 Reasons Why Bartering Works in Iloilo City
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1. Facebook Capital of the Philippines and Ilonggo Sociability
It’s a known fact. Iloilo City has the most active users in Facebook. (See here)
Also, Ilonggos are naturally social beings — not only in real life but also online.
Entrepreneur Kristian Jagorin, together with his wife, is an avid ‘barterista’ and he loves the social aspect of the online bartering system, seeing at as a great way to grow one’s network of friends.
Sociable Ilonggos
He said, “Mainabyanon na nga daan ang mga Ilonggo, te daw nagbulig pa gid ining Iloilo Barter Community sa pagka mainabyanon ta tanan.”
[“Ilonggos are innately sociable people and this Iloilo Barter Community reinforces that trait in us.”]
They are also social media savvy and the Facebook platform is their natural habitat.
2. Ilonggos Love Creating Groups
The main thing about Facebook is that it allows you to create ‘Groups’ — giving you the option to start and customize a subgroup within the network. Admins and moderators can build a community of like-minded individuals with similar goals, and Ilonggos are very fond of this.
The uber-popular KAON TA, ILOILO community is just one proof that a well-managed group can grow beyond expectations and set trends within a locality.
For Kristian, moderation is crucial for the growth of an online community.
He said, “Dako nga bagay nga well-moderated ang group. May nagabantay gid sa posts kag bisan sa comments.” [“It’s important that the group is well-moderated. There should be moderators checking posts and comments.”]
Needless to say, Ilonggos really know how to run groups in Facebook.
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3. Magnified by Quarantine
The ongoing quarantine magnifies Ilonggos’ online habits. Everyone’s bored out of their wits and there’s nothing to do but play around social media. As a result, more engagement in barter groups.
Cristina Lagora, a self-confessed online bartering addict, wakes up at 6AM to check posted items. Throughout the day, she constantly scans the group up until she sleeps at around 1AM.
She said, “Tungod sa quarantine, bored ang mga tawo. Since may group nga pwedi ka ka exchange goods without spending money, so why not diba?! daw ga online shopping kalang ya.”
[“People are bored during quarantine. So why not enjoy this group where we can exchange goods without spending money? It’s like online shopping.”]
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4. Pride and Pleasure of Ownership
Ilonggos tend to be ostentatious consumers and really like owning stuff.
Events and wedding host Dyard Magsipoc refers to this as ‘lapad mata’ and said that it is really in our nature.
“Impulsiveness [with regards to buying things] is in our DNA.” Dyard expressed.
Ilonggos are also fickle — spending on trendy, hot, new items only to lose interest in a few weeks. They are not easily attached to things and they’re willing to let go if the deal is right.
Sales Executive Kamil Coo puts it this way, “I think it’s not the question of Ilonggos buying things they don’t need. I think it’s leaning toward dasig matakan ang Ilonggos sang mga bagay bagay. Kay biskan sa dining scene diri sa iloilo, that is why wala gawa ga thrive ang mga restaurants diri, it’s because ang Ilonggos are known to be frugal so matilaw lang sila ya tapos wala na. So para sakon ga reflect man siya sa gamit. Mabakal sila and then use it for a while and then matakan.”
[“I think it’s not the question of Ilonggos buying things they don’t need. I think it’s leaning toward the fickle nature of Ilonggos. Taking the Ilonggo dining scene as example, one reason why many restaurants fail, is because Ilonggos are known to be frugal and they just try things out and that’s it. So it’s the same way with objects. They buy them, use them for awhile, and then lose interest.”]
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5. Fueled by Crisis
The economic crisis caused by the outbreak teaches Ilonggos to be alot more discerning particularly with the things they own. They’ve realized the value of things at a personal level. Bartering invoked the Marie Kondo inside every Ilonggo as they now know which things should be let go (in exchange of something perceptively better).
Kamil has 5 successful trades to date and is particulary proud of one of her transactions where she exchanged her Bodyfat scale for a gallon of paint, two Spams, and one Nido 3+ — things that she really needed.
“This ‘new’ concept of online bartering is a good alternative for online shopping with credit card or cash.” Kamil said
“[Now, we have the platform] to be able to get new things in exchange [of our] ‘clutter’ and it’s satisfying!”
Kristian echoed the sentiment, “Despite being an old and almost outdated system, [it becomes novel again], especially because this crisis has limited our purchasing power. Plus, it helps people declutter.”
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6. Trust Factor
Since the presentation of items is done online, there is definitely room for deception. That is why trust is a key factor in making an online bartering group flourish. Fortunately, Ilonggos are trustworthy people.
“Ilonggos trusting Ilonggos” – A Successful Trade Between Kristian and Rancy
When asked why Iloilo Barter Community works, Cristina has this to say, “Siguro kay te kita ya nga ilonggo may salig ta ya sa isig ta ilonggo nga indi kita pag tuntuhun.”
[“I guess Ilonggos trust that their fellow Ilonggos wouldn’t scam them.”]
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7. Fun and Addictive
People like Kristian and Cristina always try to look for items they own to barter for ‘better’ things. It’s fun for them. They see bartering as a beneficial transaction to all parties involved.
The feeling of having a successful transaction is immensely satisfying and that can be very addictive.
Bartering is a generally fun experience. It’s just two people getting things they think they want without spending a centavo. And Ilonggos are all for that.
Bartering is fun!
As one of the admins of an Ilonggo barter group, Dyard is well acquainted with the fun-loving nature of Ilonggos.
He said, “Aside sa very heartwarming kita nga mga tawo, we just like everything nga sadya lang and at the same time we can get what we like.”
[“We’re naturally heartwarming people, we just like to have fun and at the same time, we can get what we like.”]
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8. The Old and The New
Ilonggos love two things — reminiscing the old, and trying out new stuff.
If there’s one thing that they love even more, it’s making an old thing become the new thing.
“Bartering has been the medium of exchange during ancient times.” Dyard said.
“Nadula lang sya sang pag create na sang currency pero right now it’s making its comeback.”
[“It disappeared when currencies were created but now it’s making its comeback.”]
He also added, “Well bal-an ta man ang Ilonggo, basta my bago, go dayun. Tilawan or e-try daun. And if maayo, sige-sige na ina”
[“Well, we all know Ilonggos love to try new things. And if it goes well, it continues on.”]
