P16K charge for a hair braid? Not overpriced, the association of braiders in Boracay said, such that even the parents of the child has no complaint over it.
Viral post
The story of the controversial braid started with a small hotel’s manager’s post on social media whereby the manager shared that the braid job done on one of their guests was seemingly overpriced.
“I’m the manager of Levantin, a small hotel in Bulabog. This happened to one of our guests and we are also complaining about it here in the Boracay community,” the post reportedly said.
The hotel manager also added that braiding service in the area never exceeds P1,000. The child who had her hair done was purportedly the daughter of a Filipina and her foreigner husband.
The post became viral; with many agreeing that the price was indeed exorbitant; with others saying it was truly unreasonably overpriced.
The group Malay Boracay Hairbraiders and Traders Association (MaBoVen) in Boracay became the center of criticisms online and received a lot of bashing. In response, the president of the association, Jomar Saan, gave clarification on the said incident.
Saan, on behalf of their group, disclosed that they have a price list, called a ‘taripa’ which they follow with regards to their braiding service.
In a GMA News interview, Saan also shared that the price depends on the guest’s preference and if they can afford it or not. “Nakadepende po sa bisita ‘yan, dahil ang bisita o ang guest, may choice po ‘yan kung afford niya o hindi.”
It was revealed that the child’s father had the braiding redone and certain specifications were agreed upon; varied colors and a whole head braid which took around five hours to do by three braiders.
The parents agreed, according to the official, even before the braiding was redone.
The incident reached the Aklan Mayor, Frolibar Bautista, and after investigation the real story came to light.
Mayor Bautista said the redoing of the hair with detailed hair work, called strands, was what made it costly as it was an elaborate braiding; around 160 strands.
He went on to tell the public to ask first with regards to prices involving activities and items in the area. “Whatever naman talaga, magtanong tayo kung magkano. Di ba normal naman ‘yan. Lahat ‘yan may taripa tayo.”
Here’s a 24-Oras report: