(SPOT.ph) Few things are certain in this life: death, taxes, and then there are the chat groups that heat up right after a Maarte, Artefino, or Purveyr Fair, with a discussion sparked by a single burning question: ‘Why is local so mahal?’ Pertaining, of course, to the clothes, footwear, and accessories sold in these big artisan bazaars. ‘Mahal’ here reads, understandably, as too pricey. Beyond what most Filipinos can afford. But others make it read, too, like an accusation, as if the creative folks behind these local brands opted for a higher price tag just because—and what right have they to do that when they’re just, you know, local? For this issue of the Spot Weekender, we spoke to three of the local scene’s designers of the moment, fixtures in the big fairs as well as the more frequent Katutubo Pop-up Market. To get the answers from the makers themselves, yes, but really to understand the journey a piece of garment goes thru before they’re even ready for the bazaar racks. To offer a different picture of the answers.