Love doesn't come with a rulebook, and engagements certainly lack a universal guideline.
This is why the value of an engagement ring is such a hot topic.
Netizens buzzed about an anonymous user whose boyfriend of eight years proposed with a PHP299 engagement ring. The user,
who wished to remain unknown, posted her story on the private Facebook group called Philippine Counselling.
Ordered from the e-commerce platform Shopee, the ring sparked a heated debate, spreading across popular sites until it caught the attention of celebrities and influencers.
Read: HOT TOPIC: Dalaga, may himutok tungkol sa PHP299 engagement ring mula sa nobyo
Vice Ganda
Addressing the controversy, Vice Ganda related the instance to two participants during the "EXpecially for You" segment of It's Showtime on January 8, 2024.
The Unkabogable Star shared valuable advice with a young couple, stating, "Kung wala kang pera, puwede mo namang sabihin na, 'Pasensya ka na gipit ako. Tayo'y mga mag-aaral pa, gusto kong ibigay sa iyo iyan pero hindi ko pa kaya.'"
She continued, "Parang yung engagement, may nag-propose sa iyo pero PHP299 lang naman yung ibinigay na singsing.
"Puwede kasi siyang maging issue, puwede rin siyang hindi maging issue kung napag-uusapan niyo, di ba?
"Malay natin, ’299 lang ito ha? Pero wag kang mag-alala, meron akong isang milyon. Nilaan ko kasi yun para sa future, kaya sa singsing, PHP299 lang muna.'"
Yasmien Kurdi
Kapuso actress Yasmien Kurdi has a different approach, offering a more practical perspective.
Taking to Facebook on January 8, 2024, she related (published as is), "P299 na ring issue… medyo OA.
"Ako nga wala naman ako engagement ring, tapos wedding rings namin di naman nasosoot kasi di kami sanay. Kasal namin 20k lang (2012)"
Yasmien then suggested, "In my opinion, iinvest niyo nalang pera niyo sa lupa at bahay.
"Para di kayo mamulubi sa renta at di puro porma. Laking tipid ng hindi nagrerenta ng bahay."
She reminded everyone to unburden themselves from superficial appearances, citing that the monetary value of something does not automatically translate to it looking glamorous, and that it depends on how people carry themselves.
"Ang material na bagay nadadala lang yan. Minsan nagmumukhang mahal kapag proud mo siya suotin," she remarked.
"Minsan naman ang mahal ng suot ng isang tao, pero di naman mukhang mahal. Di ko din alam kung bakit."
Read: Julia Montes flashes huge diamond ring; netizens ask, "engagement ring ba yan?"
Rica Peralejo Bonifacio
Rica Peralejo, on TikTok, emphasized understanding the nuances, sharing, "First of all yung girl, valid siya dun sa naramdaman niya.
"On the surface, talagang yun yung una mong maiisip na parang, 'Eto lang ba talaga yung halaga ko sa iyo?"
But, as she cautioned, people should not be quick to label situations as right or wrong.
"Hindi natin alam kung ano yung reason ni guy kung bakit yun lang yung binigay niya," she reflected.
"Money habits are actually very contextual. There is a reason why you spend the way you spend.
"Katulad nang sa aming mag-asawa, mas kuripot ako kesa sa kanya dahil iyan ang pagpapalaki sa akin ng nanay ko na practical.
"So sometimes pag nagtitipid ako, hindi siya sign na tinitipid kita, kundi sign siya na gusto ko lang maayos yung ating pera dahil tayo rin naman ang malalagot kung hindi tayo magiging wais dito."
From observing other couples, she also mentioned, "I also have seen couples who have spent so much on engagements, on weddings, but actually did not plan for the life after that.
"The engagement and the wedding is not the largest part of being together as a married couple. Mas dapat pinaghahandaan yung life after the wedding."
Inka Magnaye
Internet celebrity and voice actress Inka Magnaye, on another note, underscored the subjectivity of value, and encouraged creating beautiful memories.
"Value is subjective," she asserted in a TikTok video.
"It depends entirely on how much money you have, and how much money that you make. Context is important.
"So far the three different arguments are: If you love that person, the amount won't matter. If you know your worth, then you should fight for it. And, if you truly know your partner then, you would've been able to manage expectations.
"All three points are absolutely true and valid, depending on your situation."
Proposing an alternative approach for those unable to "raise the monetary value," she suggested, "Then maybe you can raise the sentimental value.
"Get a PHP299 engagement ring on Shopee. Bring her to a park where you set up a picnic basket with flowers that you picked or a meal that you cooked yourself.
"Read her poetry. Give her a speech about, 'Babe, this is what I could afford but that’s because I want to invest the rest of my money into building a beautiful life with you—something that we can build together.'
"Make it a beautiful memory. Usually, that’s what girls look for. They seek to be valued by their partners, and it doesn’t have to be in money."
Read: TRENDING: Boyfriend siningil ang girlfriend sa half ng presyo ng engagement ring
Toni Fowler
Vlogger Toni Fowler pronounced the significance of the moment over materialistic concerns.
Comparing the rings she got from her previous partner Rob and current partner Vince, she confirmed that what matters are the gestures behind the proposal.
"Puro diamonds po ito, mga bessy ko," she said of Rob's proposal ring.
"Mahal itong singsing na ito and heirloom siya so naipamana sa kanya ng mga kamag-anak niya, and until now nasa akin pa rin po ito. Napakaganda at napaka-sosyal at napakamahal.
"At that time, I said, 'No. Hindi. Bakit ganito? Bakit ganito lang?'
"Parang na-feel ko na hindi ako napatingin sa singsing kung maganda ba siya, kung mamahalin ba siya o hindi. Napatingin ako sa, 'Bakit walang nag-video?'
"Naramdaman ko na parang hindi pinaghandaan," she expressed.
As for Vince's proposal, Toni affirmed that she was moved by how he really prepared his piece, setting up balloons, rose petals on the floor, and with a bouquet in hand.
"Nagtanong siya kung pwede niya ba akong ligawan, at ang gamit niya diyan ay cheese ring, and, I said yes," she disclosed.
"This is not about the ring kung gaano siya kamahal. This is not about kung gaano kabongga yung pagka-present. But this is about the time and effort.
"Yung kilala ka ng partner mo, kung talagang ano ba yung gusto mo. Mas naramdaman ko kasi na mas pinakinggan ako ng jowa ko. Mas kabisado niya ako.
"Alam niya na hindi importante sa akin yung singsing, kung gaano kamahal. Ang importante sa akin yung nandun buong pamilya ko, na meron silang approval. Kasi ganun akong klaseng tao.
"Ang nakikita ko sa kanya ang plano. Nakikita ko ang sincerity."
Jack Logan
On January 7, 2024, digital creator Jack Logan uploaded an Instagram post showing off his wedding ring which he bought at Silverworks in 2009.
"Hindi ito silver. Ito ay Stainless Steel. Yes, same material ito kagaya ng kaserola, kawali, kutsara at tinidor," he wrote.
"At suot pa rin namin ito HANGGANG NGAYON.”
He reflected on the ring's enduring nature, stating, "Kaya kong palitan ito ngayon ng silver, or gold o kahit platinum pa. Pero what’s the point?
"Para sa akin habang tumatagal ito at dumarami ang gasgas, mas nare-remind sa akin ang mga pagsubok na aming dinaanan at saya na aming nararamdaman, no more, no less."
In contemplating the significance, he drew a contrast between precious metals and the symbol of their enduring love: "Dahil ang gintong may brilyante o diyamante ay may presyo at halaga, pero ang wagas na pag-ibig, priceless."
Acknowledging the uncertainties of the future, he conveyed confidence in the stainless steel's unique qualities.
"Alam kong marami pang darating sa buhay namin, pero ang maganda sa Stainless Steel, hindi ito nabebend, hindi ito nasasanla, at nananatili itong bilog na parang simbulo ng buhay na minsan nasa ibabaw kami, minsan nasa baba kami."
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