[VIRAL] How Much Should Engagement Ring Cost? Filipinos Debate If 299-Peso is Enough—Here's What They Say

How much should an engagement ring cost? This is another trending topic that Filipinos are debating about. It all started when a woman posted anonymously about the engagement ring her boyfriend gave her.

What surprised many Filipino netizens is that the engagement ring that she received only cost 299 PHP or just a little over $5. Her story started a debate among Filipinos about how much this ring should cost.

Some said as long as the guy is pure-hearted and really willing to marry them, then that's okay. Meanwhile, others criticized, laughed, and even ridiculed the man for being cheap.

Here are other details about the viral 299-peso engagement ring on social media.

299-Peso Engagement Ring? Here's What Filipinos Say

The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, originally posted her story about adulting on a Facebook group. Based on screenshots, she and her boyfriend are in an 8-year relationship.

But she was upset since she only got a 299-peso engagement ring. The lady said her boyfriend doesn't value her worth since he didn't save enough to buy a decent one.

"Am I too immature to feel this way?" asked the woman, saying that the guy wasn't aware that she already saw the betrothal ring on Shoppee.

She also asked netizens if she should ignore her feelings or if she needed to confront the guy regarding the issue. Many Filipinos, especially women, urged the lady to leave her boyfriend since she didn't deserve a cheap engagement ring.

They explained that the betrothal ring should show that the man is ready to support her financially before they get married. On the other hand, other netizens argued that it's not really the price that matters but what the ring symbolizes.

Guy Explains Reason Behind 299-Peso Ring

The viral guy who purchased the 299-peso engagement ring explained his side on TikTok. He posted notes containing his explanations, which other Filipinos shared on Facebook.

He clarified that he has the budget to purchase a 4-digit engagement ring (Over 1,000 PHP or $18). However, because he's the breadwinner of his family, he's facing a lot of financial struggles.

The man explained that he only purchased the 299-peso betrothal ring because that was the most practical one for him. When he realized that his girlfriend posted about the engagement ring on social media, he was devasted.

The guy said that if his partner's post didn't trend, he wouldn't even know she wasn't satisfied with the engagement ring. Because of this, he decided to break up with her and cancel their wedding plan.

He thanked other Filipinos who understood his situation. The man said that he will move on soon. But for now, he will endure the suffering her girlfriend gave her.

Our Take

If we talk about the right cost for an engagement ring, Natural Diamond Council CMO Kristina Buckley Kayel said that it traditionally costs two to three months' salary for an individual.

But, she clarified that there's "no unanimous rule as to how much one should spend on an engagement ring." She added that myths about engagement rings, such as the correct price, only add unnecessary pressure to partners.

However, the traditional engagement ring cost she mentioned is hard to achieve in the Philippines, a third-world country where most citizens earn a minimum wage of 500 PHP per day ($8 per day).

Another issue with the girl's complaint is that the guy mentioned they already have a wedding plan. This means that the man is communicating with her regarding his future goals, which hints that the guy should be sharing his financial struggles with her.

If ever she already knows that the man is struggling to provide for his family financially, then it is surprising for her to complain about the 299-peso engagement ring.

In case the man wasn't sharing his financial struggles, then the woman should remember that in marriage, the man and the woman are always asked if they are willing to be with each other "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer."

This is why if a man and a woman agree to marry each other, they should hope for the best but be ready for the worst. If a 299-peso wedding ring is already an issue, then what the guy did (breaking up with her) was the best choice for both sides.