The news, published in late October, garnered thousands of shares and comments on Facebook, most of them supportive of the pursuit. Founded in , the platform has been quietly growing its reach across Southeast Asia, after taking off from its headquarters in Malaysia. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that more than 3. At the thick of the quarantine in April, the number was almost double that. The need for cash might be what drove Filipinos to the service.
Sugarbook says that local babies receive an average of PHP 49, USD 1, a month from their partners—triple the minimum wage in the capital. Some even get as much as PHP 70, Loo says that the daddies, who are between 30 and 50 years old, have an average annual income of PHP 1. Users have to be at least 18 years of age and need to sign up with their IDs. Once verified, they can browse for matches and start chatting in a limited capacity. A premium account offers a wider search and unrestricted chat possibilities.
A subscription starts at USD 79 a month. Female students who sign up with their school IDs, however, can upgrade to a premium account for free. PLAN International echoes the warning pointing out that women and girls are often abused by people whom they know and trust and that daddies have the power to control or to impose views, needs, and desires, once the females depend on them, explains Mona Mariano, a gender specialist with the organization.
Sugarbook responds to this saying that its business model is legal, distancing itself from undesirable activities that may be perpetrated through its platform.
Despite the criticism, Sugarbook aims to expand its user base in the country, targeting , by year-end. The startup is also hunting for matches on its own with potential investors. But there are still doubts about the sustainability of its business model. The firm has so far shied away from disclosing the number of its paying subscribers. Not that Sugarbook minds the scrutiny. The platform seems to be relishing the honeymoon stage of its courtship with users and potential subscribers.
