Wearing this in public was once a taboo, but now everyone suddenly got mad on rubber slippers and is more than willing to spend grands of bucks. Yes, you read it right. Whopping hundreds of bucks for a rubber slipper. I'm talking about that Brazilian sandals brand, Havaianas.
Havaianas was first created in 1962, and since then, São Paulo Alpargatas SA, the manufacturers of the sandals, has already fabricated more than two billion pairs. It is exported internationally and featured in numerous stores in the United States and where else, the Philippines.
Havaianas' design is inspired by the Japanese rice straw and wood zori sandals used with kimonos. They employ a simple, functional design. The most popular on their designs features a small symbol of the Brazilian flag on the strap.
Whoever brought this rubber slipper in the Philippines is clever. He/She surely knows the tastes and penchants of the Filipinos. Proof of this is the instauration of different styles and designs especially crafted for the flip-flop lovers.
Havaianas flip-flops now come in different and unique designs. And they are continuing to create more everyday.
I can't blame the people for their continuous patronage of these rather high-priced merchandise. It is the quality and the comfort that these slippers give the people which they hanker.
But not everyone can afford to own these must-haves. Who would anyway buy eight hundred pesos worth of rubber slippers when they can just spend it for food, or anything else essential. So, what's an alternative? Rip-offs.
A smart Filipino marketeer would definitely create a product which is much likely the same with the original but way cheaper. Sure, minus the comfort and quality. But whatever, at least you own one. I'm talking about the Havaianas rip-off, Havana which by the way only costs P50.00 or even less.
Though I own some pair of these rubber slippers, I don't think it's practicable to purchase one. I mean, there are a lot of cheaper rubber slippers out there in the market, though they might not be that comfy. But you judge guys.
I was spawned in the same year Alfredo Stroessner was overthrown, and on the same day the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly met for the first time.
I am currently in college, taking up Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Advertising Management. I hold two majors, ergo the academic bane I will be experiencing is doubled. But so far, I have not yet swooned, thank God.
I am a control freak. 'Nuff said.
My usual McDonald's meal is comprised of Quarter Pounder, large fries and Coke, extra gravy and vanilla milkshake.
It is in my nature to assume responsibility. I often contemplate about the complexity of life.
I tend to shrink from social contacts and become preoccupied with my own thoughts. I often isolate myself from the pool. Don't get me wrong though. I am not deprived of friends; in fact, I have a bunch of good chums. It is always quality over quantity for me. I don't go for braggy and ostentatious people; I loathe them.
I am not really adept in writing so pardon my tense inconsistencies of verbs, wrong usage of conjunctions and preposition, incorrect separation of paragraphs, faulty usage of colons and semi-colons, et cetera.
Respect begets respect. You're free to judge and read. But please observe proper netiquette - internet etiquette.
merry christmas! 
Merry Christmas! and best wishes for the New Year.
Tnx for dropping by, Ken. have a blessed Xmas
nakiraan..
tnx for visiting my site. cheers!
dumaan…
great blog you got here. mind if i include you in my sparks?
tnx sa pagdaan sa blog ko at sa comment. link kita ha, cool blog mo e. 
hello.. daan lng..
just passing by!
blog hopping
hi there! musta na? tagal na last contact natin. ingats!
whew! nice blog!
bloghop.,
tanx for droppin’ .. 
i hate you. san ka galing ha? hmpft. haha
Lengthy entries. But brilliantly put.
dropped by. Nice pics there 
Auz din brods. nice entries
hoi! =p
It’s actually a good invention for us Filipinos. I think flip-flops (or tsinelas, pero mas pinasusyal) is a constant necessity. Hindi naman kasi pala-rubber shoes ang pinoy. Kahit Ramboo or Islander lang, masaya na tayo!
:P But well, I’d love to have a Havaianas as a birthday gift. Mwahaha.
Posted by utakGAGO at August 9, 2007, 10:49 am