An uproar over coinage may seem like an absurd idea, but it is exactly what happened when the revelation of the new Philippine coins by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) proved to be a hit-or-miss to many. While BSP assured that the new design and details of the new coins provide better security, various netizens clamored that the coins’ indistinguishable color is not consumer-friendly and non-inclusive to senior citizens, jeepney drivers and the common tindera and magtataho.

National Funnywoman of the Twitter Order of Jesters Ethel Booba heard the laments of netizens — and she, too, may not be the biggest fan of the new coins. Ethel shared the infographic posted by the BSP on Facebook last night, showing the entire series of the new coins that will be circulated to the public soon.

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Ethel said in jest, “Ito talaga ikalulugi ng Sari Sari stores at hindi ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin. Charot!”

It was a joke that bore a grain of truth, however, as the new coins now all come in “metallic silver,” and made of nickel-plated steel. BSP maintains that the use of silver is their solution to the quick rusting of copper-based coins, while the laser-engraved micro details make the coins more beautiful and secure from counterfeit. Its metallic composition, too, helps in countering illegal melting of coins for its value.

But while this is all well and good, its singular monotonous shade has been the concern of most people.

“FYI nasubukan na ang new P5 coin. Madami na ang nagreklamo na mali ang bayad/sukli dahil napagkamalan itong P1 dahil sa color (FYI the new P5 coin has been tried. A lot of people have complained that they have made wrong payments or received wrong change because they mistook it for P1 because of the color),” replied Ethel to a certain Kyle (@EdiKYLE) after he said people who complain do not know how to accept change. “Buti nga di napagkamalang (At least it has not been mistaken for a) token sa World of Fun or Quantum. Charot!”

A certain Christoper (@chrstphrmrtn), on the other hand, reached out to Ethel for her thoughts. “I really don’t get the point of having new 25, 5, and 1 centavo coins. What are your thoughts on this?”

Without missing a beat, Ethel quipped, “Ini-smuggle kasi mga barya natin sa ibang bansa kaya siguro pinalitan din. For me okay ang design pero sana binago nila ang color or shape ng ibang coins para mas mabilis ma-identify kung alin ang ihuhulog natin sa lata ng Bantay Bata 163. Charot!”

(Our coins have been smuggled into other countries; that’s why they came up with these replacements. For me, the design is okay, but it would have been better if they changed the color or shape of the other coins, so people would be able to more easily identify what they will drop into the cans for Bantay Bata 163. Charot!)

The devil is in the details or, in this case, in the color, and while many frustrations have been aired regarding the new coins’ impractical shade, Ethel’s one-two punch comical bluntness surely encapsulates everyone’s lament with sardonic flair. The truth isn’t always so glossy, it seems, but maybe the new coins will also come with a pair of spectacles for the rest? JB

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