Manila: Saturday Market @ ESCOLTA (First United Building)
21 April 2013
Just to post an event organized by the 98B Community (twitter: @98B_Community ) to bring back the memories and former glory of Manila's Escolta Street, once the center of business of the country, starting at bringing back commerce to the once vibrant street.
SaturdayMarket@ESCOLTA Information and poster
"Let's us all visit the SaturdayMarket@ESCOLTA this April 27, 2013. It will open at 9AM. Together we can all help in creating awareness for the street! Tag, share and spread the word! This fun-filled activity will not only show you interesting finds but will also be a trip down memory lane :-) Experience the street and bring home historic memories.
When: April 27, 2013 9AM-5PM
Where: 413 First United Building, Escolta Street
Binondo, Manila
Pre-loved; vintage items will be sold!"
How to Get to Escolta, Manila:
the street in Binondo district of Manila can be reached from Sta. Cruz via LRT Carriedo Station where you can just walk towards Sta. Cruz Church to find the eastern end of Escolta.
Jeepneys from Taft Avenue and Mabini with signboard Avenida, Rizal Avenue or Monumento pass by Sta. Cruz, alight near the foot of MacArthur Bridge then walk to Escolta. Likewise, jeepneys going Divisoria from taft Avenue and Mabini will pass by the other end of Escolta. Just alight after crossing Jones Bridge then walk to Escolta.
First United Building used to be called Perez-Samanillo Building, it was built by Andres Luna de San Pedro, the son of Juan Luna.
SaturdayMarket@ESCOLTA Information and poster
"Let's us all visit the SaturdayMarket@ESCOLTA this April 27, 2013. It will open at 9AM. Together we can all help in creating awareness for the street! Tag, share and spread the word! This fun-filled activity will not only show you interesting finds but will also be a trip down memory lane :-) Experience the street and bring home historic memories.
When: April 27, 2013 9AM-5PM
Where: 413 First United Building, Escolta Street
Binondo, Manila
Pre-loved; vintage items will be sold!"
How to Get to Escolta, Manila:
the street in Binondo district of Manila can be reached from Sta. Cruz via LRT Carriedo Station where you can just walk towards Sta. Cruz Church to find the eastern end of Escolta.
Jeepneys from Taft Avenue and Mabini with signboard Avenida, Rizal Avenue or Monumento pass by Sta. Cruz, alight near the foot of MacArthur Bridge then walk to Escolta. Likewise, jeepneys going Divisoria from taft Avenue and Mabini will pass by the other end of Escolta. Just alight after crossing Jones Bridge then walk to Escolta.
First United Building used to be called Perez-Samanillo Building, it was built by Andres Luna de San Pedro, the son of Juan Luna.
Labels: Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:30 PM,
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Palawan Shopping Tips: Pearls, Souvenirs, Kasuy, Pasalubong in Puerto Princesa
15 October 2011
Shopping for souvenirs in Palawan? Pasalubong family and friends? Authentic south sea pearls for loved ones? Kasuy (cashew nuts) and danggit at low prices?
there are two places in Puerto Princesa where shopping is fun and bargains are not hard to find:
San Jose New Public Market
San Jose, Puerto Princesa
(called New Market by the locals)
For cheap souvenir t-shirts, you can find them at PhP100.00 each at a stall near the dried fish section, unusual location but serendipity struck Tutubi when he was searching for cheap danggit and kasuy. A kilo of danggit only costs PhP400 (much, much cheaper than the touristy prices of Cebu, where it's identified)
cashew nuts (kasuy) pasalubong for Tutubi's officemates. You can also buy Cashew Wine and other kasuy products there
Tiangge Tiangge Souvenir Center
Address: Lacao near corner Rizal Avenue
GPS Coordinates: N9 44 26.7 E118 44 26.3
for other stuff like bags, key chains (key fob), handicrafts, native artworks, and authentic pearls, there's Tiangge Tiangge, sort of like "Greenhills Shopping Center" of Puerto Princesa
real south sea pearls are peddled here at about half the price from similar items found in Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, and slightly lower thatn those sold in front of Baker's Hill.
What makes Puerto Princesa shopping fun is that merchants don't overcharge unknowing tourists, unlike in other places. They quote you the same price whether you're a local or a foreigner, an unwritten policy probably of Mayor Hagedorn, something worthy of emulation by other tourist destinations not to pounce on tourists.
there are two places in Puerto Princesa where shopping is fun and bargains are not hard to find:
San Jose New Public Market
San Jose, Puerto Princesa
(called New Market by the locals)
For cheap souvenir t-shirts, you can find them at PhP100.00 each at a stall near the dried fish section, unusual location but serendipity struck Tutubi when he was searching for cheap danggit and kasuy. A kilo of danggit only costs PhP400 (much, much cheaper than the touristy prices of Cebu, where it's identified)
cashew nuts (kasuy) pasalubong for Tutubi's officemates. You can also buy Cashew Wine and other kasuy products thereTiangge Tiangge Souvenir Center
Address: Lacao near corner Rizal Avenue
GPS Coordinates: N9 44 26.7 E118 44 26.3
for other stuff like bags, key chains (key fob), handicrafts, native artworks, and authentic pearls, there's Tiangge Tiangge, sort of like "Greenhills Shopping Center" of Puerto Princesa
real south sea pearls are peddled here at about half the price from similar items found in Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, and slightly lower thatn those sold in front of Baker's Hill.What makes Puerto Princesa shopping fun is that merchants don't overcharge unknowing tourists, unlike in other places. They quote you the same price whether you're a local or a foreigner, an unwritten policy probably of Mayor Hagedorn, something worthy of emulation by other tourist destinations not to pounce on tourists.
Labels: Mimaropa, Palawan, Pasalubong, Puerto Princesa, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:12 PM,
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Holiday Shopping at Christmas Bazaars and Tiangge
29 November 2010
For shopaholics and regular holiday shopping needs alternatives to the much too crowded Divisoria (where it's really hard to squeeze yourself in to Tutuban Mall, 168 Shopping Mall, and 999 Mall): Christmas bazaars sprouting all over Metro Manila. Do your shopping now and send some to Tutubi :P
Before you "turn the page," did you know that the word bazaar came from the Persian word bazar with etymological origin meaning "place of prices"?
List of Christmas Bazaars in Metro Manila (you may add some if Tutubi missed any)
Buy Pinoy Exporters Fair
Location: SM Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm (SM Mall Hours)
Greenhills Night Market
Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
Open: 6:30 to 11:30pm
Mercato Centrale
Location: Bonifacio High Street (inside those tents behind The Spa)
Bazaar Hours: 7 am - 12nn
Moonlit Bazaar
Venue: Rockwell Tent
Bazaar Hours: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Noel Bazaar
Venue: World Trade Center
Hours: 11am - 10pm
Open: December 18-19, 2010
Shop @ The Fort
Venue: NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Bazaar Hours: 10am - 7pm
St. James the Great Bazaar
Venue: Cuenca Park, Ayala Alabang Village
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm
Whitespace Market
Where: 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Ext. (formerly Pasong Tamo Ext.)
Hours: 12 noon-6pm
Other bazaars in town (got info from a Xend promo email):
1. Christmas Tinsel Bazaar at Nuvo City in Libis on December 3 to 5
2. Seolularis: A Grand Holiday Bazaar at the SMX Convention Center on December 4 to 5
3. SHOP N' CHOW Bazaar and Food Fair at the Alabang Town Center on December 3 to 5
4. Angel Sent Bazaar at the Enterprise Center Makati on December 6 to 7
Regular Weekend Markets in Manila that may pop surprises:
Sidcor Sunday Market at Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiangge hours: 6am to 2pm
Lung Center Sunday Market
Lung Center of the Philippines
Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiagge open from 6am to 2pm
Salcedo Saturday Market
Velzaquez Carpark, Salcedo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Carpark, Lorenzo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Note: some of the bazaars listed above chanrge entrance fees, admission price vary but very minimal if you have lots of shopping money and the energy hunting for good finds and bargains.
Before you "turn the page," did you know that the word bazaar came from the Persian word bazar with etymological origin meaning "place of prices"?
List of Christmas Bazaars in Metro Manila (you may add some if Tutubi missed any)
Buy Pinoy Exporters Fair
Location: SM Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm (SM Mall Hours)
Greenhills Night Market
Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
Open: 6:30 to 11:30pm
Mercato Centrale
Location: Bonifacio High Street (inside those tents behind The Spa)
Bazaar Hours: 7 am - 12nn
Moonlit Bazaar
Venue: Rockwell Tent
Bazaar Hours: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Noel Bazaar
Venue: World Trade Center
Hours: 11am - 10pm
Open: December 18-19, 2010
Shop @ The Fort
Venue: NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Bazaar Hours: 10am - 7pm
St. James the Great Bazaar
Venue: Cuenca Park, Ayala Alabang Village
Bazaar Hours: 9am-9pm
Whitespace Market
Where: 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Ext. (formerly Pasong Tamo Ext.)
Hours: 12 noon-6pm
Other bazaars in town (got info from a Xend promo email):
1. Christmas Tinsel Bazaar at Nuvo City in Libis on December 3 to 5
2. Seolularis: A Grand Holiday Bazaar at the SMX Convention Center on December 4 to 5
3. SHOP N' CHOW Bazaar and Food Fair at the Alabang Town Center on December 3 to 5
4. Angel Sent Bazaar at the Enterprise Center Makati on December 6 to 7
Regular Weekend Markets in Manila that may pop surprises:
Sidcor Sunday Market at Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiangge hours: 6am to 2pm
Lung Center Sunday Market
Lung Center of the Philippines
Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tiagge open from 6am to 2pm
Salcedo Saturday Market
Velzaquez Carpark, Salcedo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Carpark, Lorenzo Village, Makati
open: 6am to 2pm
Note: some of the bazaars listed above chanrge entrance fees, admission price vary but very minimal if you have lots of shopping money and the energy hunting for good finds and bargains.
Labels: Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:56 PM,
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How to Get to Divisoria: Map, Jeepney Commute Routes
06 November 2010
Due to the looming shopping season that's called Christmas, many people will flock to the sprawling Divisoria "Shopping Complex" in Manila to buy gifts and clothes and what-have-yous at bargain prices but with too much effort and throngs of people to contend with.
This is a guide for first-timers for directions to Divisoria as well as answer the oft-asked question: How to Commute to Divisoria:
Main Street of Divisoria: Claro M. Recto Avenue (C.M. Recto, formerly Azcarraga) that's cut by the following streets: Reina Regente, Soler St., Juan Luna, Ylaya, Tabora, Carmen Planas (formerly), Sto. Cristo
Interactive Map of Divisoria from OpenStreetMap Philippines:
Commuting to Divisoria? You have lots of options of Divisoria Jeepney Routes
(as recalled by Tutubi, there may be other routes available, please feel free to leave a comment)
MCU - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.) Route: EDSA Manila Central University (MCU), Monumento, Rizal Avenue (Avenida), Abad Santos, right to C.M. Recto
Blumentritt - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.): From Leonor Rivera, right to New Antipolo, left to Felix Huertas [SM San Lazaro], right to Quericada [Rizal Avenue, San Lazaro Hospital] left Abad Santos, right Mayhaligue, left Antonio Rivera [Seng Guan Temple]
Quiapo - Divisoria - North Harbor: From Quiapo Qeuzon Blvd, right to right to Evangelista St, left to C.M. Recto Avenue up to Radial Road and North Harbor Manila
San Juan - Divisoria: N Domingo, right to V. Mapa, left Magsaysay Blvd, CM Recto
Baclaran - Divisoria: (via Taft Avenue) Baclaran Taft Avenue, pass Manila City Hall (SM City Manila), Jones Bridge, Paredes St, pass Binondo Church, Juan Luna St (return route from there)
Cubao to Divisoria: Aurora Blvd., Ramon Magsaysay, Legarda [Nagtahan Bridge, Bustillos and Mendiola], right to CM Recto Avenue
Gastambide to Divisoria: Morayta (terminal near PRC, FEU Espana, Lerma), right to CM Recto and Soler St. (terminal near 168 Mall)
Balut to Divisoria
Gasak to Divisoria
Sangandaan to Divisoria (via Abad Santos)
Navotas to Divisoria via Gasak
Marikina to Divisoria bus route operated by Marikina Auto Line from the SSS Village - Divisoria Route
How to get to Divisoria via LRT and MRT
From LRT 1 Doroteo Jose Station, walk towards C.M. Recto and board Divisoria-bound jeeps
via LRT 2: Alight at the end of the LRT line i.e. Recto Station then board Divisoria-bound jeeps. This is the fastest way to get there from people from Rizal province via Antipolo and Marikina. If not, you can get to Divisoria via Cubao.
via MRT: at Taft Avenue Station, board jeepneys bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue.
From Makati: board a jeepney on Buendia/Gil Puyat going (a bus to LRT/Leveriza if you're on Ayala Avenue) to Cartimar/LRT/Taft Avenue then transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney or FX
Divisoria via Pasig River Ferry: board the Pasig River Ferry at your own convenient terminal and get off at Escolta Station. Transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney at the foot of Jones Bridge, get off on Juan Luna St. then walk towards CM. Recto
Divisoria via PNR (Philippine National Railways) can be reached from any PNR train station as far as Binan, Laguna or Alabang Muntinlupa where the last station in Tutuban is just behind Tutuban Center Mall
From Manila Airport (NAIA) to Divisoria:
The fastest and easiest is to flag an airport taxi (if you can get one)
From NAIA Terminal 1 and 2, board the buses or jeepneys going to Baclaran then transfer to jeepneys going to Divisoria
From NAIA Terminal 3: board the shuttle bus to LRT Taft Avenue then transfer to a jeepney bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue (ot take the LRT up to Doroteo Jose station then transfer to a Divisoria Bound jeepney)
Other Places to See/Visit in Divisoria: shopping malls et al:
168 Shopping Mall
Tutuban Center
Meisic Mall
Divisoria Mall
Juan Luna Plaza
Andres Bonifacio Monument
Philippine National Railways (PNR) Tutuban Station
Sto. Nino de Tondo Church
Binondo Church
Chinatown: Ongpin St, Carvajal St (fruits), Paredes, Escolta
Seng Guan Temple (Chinese temple on A. Rivera)
Where to eat in Divisoria: restaurants, eateries et al
Divisoria food trip? there are lots of eateries you can find there but there notable food stalls in front of Tutuban Center Mall, and at the food court of 168 Mall (e.g. Chariya's Thai Kitchen, Aldrino's Bibingka, Inasal Republic Express, Greenwich, Manook Pinoy Peyborits, Namit Gid (Ilongo), Veggie To Go (vegetarian restaurant), Karate Kid Japanese fastfood). One of Tutubi's favorite is Kean's Fried Siopao on the street at the back of 168 Mall near corner Juan Luna.
Hotels and accommodations near Divisoria:
Binondo Suites Hotel
Manila Hotel (just a short taxi ride away, like other hotels, inns, pension houses in Malate, Manila)
Manila Opera House Hotel and Casino (Rizal Avenue corner Doroteo Jose (just beside LRT Doroteo Jose Station)
Nice Hotel on Recto
other seedy motels on C.M. Recto Avenue
Lastly, most of the time, commenters will ask questions with information already posted above. Please read thoroughly before hitting the publish comments button. It will save your time and that of Tutubi.
Related Posts:
Andres Bonifacio Monument
168 Mall
Tutuban Center
Manila Shopping Guide
This is a guide for first-timers for directions to Divisoria as well as answer the oft-asked question: How to Commute to Divisoria:
Main Street of Divisoria: Claro M. Recto Avenue (C.M. Recto, formerly Azcarraga) that's cut by the following streets: Reina Regente, Soler St., Juan Luna, Ylaya, Tabora, Carmen Planas (formerly), Sto. Cristo
Interactive Map of Divisoria from OpenStreetMap Philippines:
Commuting to Divisoria? You have lots of options of Divisoria Jeepney Routes
(as recalled by Tutubi, there may be other routes available, please feel free to leave a comment)
MCU - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.) Route: EDSA Manila Central University (MCU), Monumento, Rizal Avenue (Avenida), Abad Santos, right to C.M. Recto
Blumentritt - Divisoria (Terminal on A. Rivera St.): From Leonor Rivera, right to New Antipolo, left to Felix Huertas [SM San Lazaro], right to Quericada [Rizal Avenue, San Lazaro Hospital] left Abad Santos, right Mayhaligue, left Antonio Rivera [Seng Guan Temple]
Quiapo - Divisoria - North Harbor: From Quiapo Qeuzon Blvd, right to right to Evangelista St, left to C.M. Recto Avenue up to Radial Road and North Harbor Manila
San Juan - Divisoria: N Domingo, right to V. Mapa, left Magsaysay Blvd, CM Recto
Baclaran - Divisoria: (via Taft Avenue) Baclaran Taft Avenue, pass Manila City Hall (SM City Manila), Jones Bridge, Paredes St, pass Binondo Church, Juan Luna St (return route from there)
Cubao to Divisoria: Aurora Blvd., Ramon Magsaysay, Legarda [Nagtahan Bridge, Bustillos and Mendiola], right to CM Recto Avenue
Gastambide to Divisoria: Morayta (terminal near PRC, FEU Espana, Lerma), right to CM Recto and Soler St. (terminal near 168 Mall)
Balut to Divisoria
Gasak to Divisoria
Sangandaan to Divisoria (via Abad Santos)
Navotas to Divisoria via Gasak
Marikina to Divisoria bus route operated by Marikina Auto Line from the SSS Village - Divisoria Route
How to get to Divisoria via LRT and MRT
From LRT 1 Doroteo Jose Station, walk towards C.M. Recto and board Divisoria-bound jeeps
via LRT 2: Alight at the end of the LRT line i.e. Recto Station then board Divisoria-bound jeeps. This is the fastest way to get there from people from Rizal province via Antipolo and Marikina. If not, you can get to Divisoria via Cubao.
via MRT: at Taft Avenue Station, board jeepneys bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue.
From Makati: board a jeepney on Buendia/Gil Puyat going (a bus to LRT/Leveriza if you're on Ayala Avenue) to Cartimar/LRT/Taft Avenue then transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney or FX
Divisoria via Pasig River Ferry: board the Pasig River Ferry at your own convenient terminal and get off at Escolta Station. Transfer to a Divisoria-bound jeepney at the foot of Jones Bridge, get off on Juan Luna St. then walk towards CM. Recto
Divisoria via PNR (Philippine National Railways) can be reached from any PNR train station as far as Binan, Laguna or Alabang Muntinlupa where the last station in Tutuban is just behind Tutuban Center Mall
From Manila Airport (NAIA) to Divisoria:
The fastest and easiest is to flag an airport taxi (if you can get one)
From NAIA Terminal 1 and 2, board the buses or jeepneys going to Baclaran then transfer to jeepneys going to Divisoria
From NAIA Terminal 3: board the shuttle bus to LRT Taft Avenue then transfer to a jeepney bound for Divisoria on Taft Avenue (ot take the LRT up to Doroteo Jose station then transfer to a Divisoria Bound jeepney)
Other Places to See/Visit in Divisoria: shopping malls et al:
168 Shopping Mall
Tutuban Center
Meisic Mall
Divisoria Mall
Juan Luna Plaza
Andres Bonifacio Monument
Philippine National Railways (PNR) Tutuban Station
Sto. Nino de Tondo Church
Binondo Church
Chinatown: Ongpin St, Carvajal St (fruits), Paredes, Escolta
Seng Guan Temple (Chinese temple on A. Rivera)
Where to eat in Divisoria: restaurants, eateries et al
Divisoria food trip? there are lots of eateries you can find there but there notable food stalls in front of Tutuban Center Mall, and at the food court of 168 Mall (e.g. Chariya's Thai Kitchen, Aldrino's Bibingka, Inasal Republic Express, Greenwich, Manook Pinoy Peyborits, Namit Gid (Ilongo), Veggie To Go (vegetarian restaurant), Karate Kid Japanese fastfood). One of Tutubi's favorite is Kean's Fried Siopao on the street at the back of 168 Mall near corner Juan Luna.
Hotels and accommodations near Divisoria:
Binondo Suites Hotel
Manila Hotel (just a short taxi ride away, like other hotels, inns, pension houses in Malate, Manila)
Manila Opera House Hotel and Casino (Rizal Avenue corner Doroteo Jose (just beside LRT Doroteo Jose Station)
Nice Hotel on Recto
other seedy motels on C.M. Recto Avenue
Lastly, most of the time, commenters will ask questions with information already posted above. Please read thoroughly before hitting the publish comments button. It will save your time and that of Tutubi.
Related Posts:
Andres Bonifacio Monument
168 Mall
Tutuban Center
Manila Shopping Guide
Labels: Divisoria, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 8:52 PM,
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SM Mall Hours on All Saints Day (November 1)
29 October 2010
For those planning to proceed to SM and other malls on All Saints Day after visiting dear departed at cemeteries (which should be during All Souls Day), here's the operating hours of malls on November 1 with information supplied by Tutubi's friend working at SM.
SM Mall Hours on All Saints Day:
SM Malls will open at 12nn and close at 10pm
Here's an updated list of SM shopping malls as listed on their official website:
SM City North EDSA, SM City Sta. Mesa (formerly SM Centerpoint), SM Megamall, SM City Cebu
SM City Southmall, SM City Bacoor, SM City Fairview, SM City Iloilo, SM City Manila, SM City Pampanga, SM City Sucat (formerly SM Supercenter Sucat), SM City Davao, SM City Bicutan, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Lucena (Quezon), SM City Baguio, SM City Marilao (Bulacan), SM City Dasmariñas (cavite), SM City Batangas, SM City San Lazaro (Manila), SM Center Valenzuela, SM Center Molino (formerly SM Supercenter Molino), SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Clark, SM Mall of Asia (MOA), SM Center Pasig (formerly SM Supercenter Pasig), SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Taytay, SM Center Muntinlupa (formerly SM Supercenter Muntinlupa), SM City Marikina, SM City Rosales, SM City Baliwag (Bulacan), SM City Naga Camarines Sur, SM Center Las Piñas Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, SM City Rosario Cavite, SM City Tarlac, SM City San Pablo Laguna, SM City Calamba Laguna, SM City Novaliches Quezon City
Upcoming SM malls under construction/planning:
SM City Masinag (SM City Antipolo) Rizal, SM Center Commonwealth Quezon City, SM City Taguig Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, SM Center Pagsanjan (Laguna), SM City North Davao (SM City Lanang) Davao City, SM City Santiago Isabela, SM City General Santos South Cotabato, SM City Tagaytay, SM City Dagupan
Ayala Malls Schedule on November 1, 2012:
Malls will open at 12:00nn and close at 10:00pm
Trinoma Mall, EDSA, Quezon City
Ayala Center Makati: Glorietta 1-5, Greenbelt 1-4, Park Square 1 & 2
Ayala Center Cebu
Alabang Town Center (ATC), Muntinlupa
Marquee Mall, Angeles City
Market! Market!
Bonifacio High Street
No information yet on mall schedules of Starmall, Walter Mart, Robinsons Galleria, Forum Robinsons (Pioneer), Robinsons Place Malate, Ever, Eastwood City Mall, The Podium and the PNR, MRT, LRT 1 and LRT 2 et al
MMDA Number coding scheme is suspended during All Saints Day, a national non-working holiday. Number coding also lifted in the so called Republic of Makati.
SM Mall Hours on All Saints Day:
SM Malls will open at 12nn and close at 10pm
Here's an updated list of SM shopping malls as listed on their official website:
SM City North EDSA, SM City Sta. Mesa (formerly SM Centerpoint), SM Megamall, SM City Cebu
SM City Southmall, SM City Bacoor, SM City Fairview, SM City Iloilo, SM City Manila, SM City Pampanga, SM City Sucat (formerly SM Supercenter Sucat), SM City Davao, SM City Bicutan, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Lucena (Quezon), SM City Baguio, SM City Marilao (Bulacan), SM City Dasmariñas (cavite), SM City Batangas, SM City San Lazaro (Manila), SM Center Valenzuela, SM Center Molino (formerly SM Supercenter Molino), SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Clark, SM Mall of Asia (MOA), SM Center Pasig (formerly SM Supercenter Pasig), SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Taytay, SM Center Muntinlupa (formerly SM Supercenter Muntinlupa), SM City Marikina, SM City Rosales, SM City Baliwag (Bulacan), SM City Naga Camarines Sur, SM Center Las Piñas Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, SM City Rosario Cavite, SM City Tarlac, SM City San Pablo Laguna, SM City Calamba Laguna, SM City Novaliches Quezon City
Upcoming SM malls under construction/planning:
SM City Masinag (SM City Antipolo) Rizal, SM Center Commonwealth Quezon City, SM City Taguig Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, SM Center Pagsanjan (Laguna), SM City North Davao (SM City Lanang) Davao City, SM City Santiago Isabela, SM City General Santos South Cotabato, SM City Tagaytay, SM City Dagupan
Ayala Malls Schedule on November 1, 2012:
Malls will open at 12:00nn and close at 10:00pm
Trinoma Mall, EDSA, Quezon City
Ayala Center Makati: Glorietta 1-5, Greenbelt 1-4, Park Square 1 & 2
Ayala Center Cebu
Alabang Town Center (ATC), Muntinlupa
Marquee Mall, Angeles City
Market! Market!
Bonifacio High Street
No information yet on mall schedules of Starmall, Walter Mart, Robinsons Galleria, Forum Robinsons (Pioneer), Robinsons Place Malate, Ever, Eastwood City Mall, The Podium and the PNR, MRT, LRT 1 and LRT 2 et al
MMDA Number coding scheme is suspended during All Saints Day, a national non-working holiday. Number coding also lifted in the so called Republic of Makati.
Labels: Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 10:07 PM,
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Centris Weekend Market Food Trip, Anyone?
20 October 2010
A new weekend market in town held every Saturday morning at Centris Walk organized by Sidcor, the same minds behind the Lung Center Sunday Market that's been attracting well-heeled shoppers to the Lung Center of the Philippines compound, the Centris Weekend Market is still on infancy stage that when Tutubi checked it out recently, there were only a few food stalls, a native handicraft tents and the usual tiangge you'll find in the metro.
Centris Walk with a little help from Photohop blur tool. That's the problem with point and shoot cameras, you can't set the aperture to add bokeh
On closer scrutiny and interviews by Tutubi with the stall keepers, they're the same stores you'll see at the Lung center the following day and some also have concurrent presence down south in Makati's Salcedo Weekend Market (but not much in Legazpi Sunday market due to it's more upmarket clientele).
What can you find at Centris Weekend Market? Tutubi bought kakanin (puto, sapin-sapin and kutsinta), asked around for some cordillera coffee (sagada, benguet and kalinga) at Republika de Kapay plus some healthy finds at Uncle George's gourmet breads.
price list of cordilerra coffee at Republika de Kapay
Madam Q's Empanada Ti Ilocos with Ilocos delicacies including empanada, bagnet and vigan longganisa
Centris Walk has the potential to develop in time as it has lots of FREE parking slots available (even stall rentals for those with entrepreneurial spirit), something it has to its advantage over the Lung Center Sunday Market and probably the looming Christmas season when Christmas bazaars sprout all over the place.
This weekend market will form part of Tutubi's routine as Tutubi Jr. loves to walk like a drunkard under Centris Walk's giant mushrooms, wander in the playground, ride the train and carousel. The bump cars and laser extreme are not yet operational.
Centris Walk weekend market is open from 6am til 2pm every Saturday. Lots of restaurants are also already open at Centris Walk: Shakeys, Pho Hoa, Tutti Frutti frozen yoghurt, Coffee Bean and tea Leaf, Jack's Loft, Italiannis, Pancake House, Zong, Claw Daddy Crab House and American Grill, Asya, My Thai Kitchen et al to satisfy your food trip curiosity.
How to get to Eton Centris Walk:
Centris Walk is connected to MRT Quezon Avenue station via Centris Station mall. For those commuting, it can be reached from Quiapo via Fairview-bound jeepneys. For Makati, any northbound bus on EDSA can be taken (e.g. Monumento, Novaliches, Malanday except those going to Fairview (they turn right to East Avenue and won't pass by EDSA corner Quezon Avenue).
Other weekend markets in Metro Manila for your food trip in one place urges:
Salcedo Weekend Market, Makati (Saturday)
Legazpi Weekend Market, Makati (Sundays in San Lorenzo Village, visited many times but unposted here)
Lung Center Sunday Market, Quezon Avenue, QC
Banchetto on Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City (Friday Night to Saturday morning)
Manila Shopping Guide
Centris Walk with a little help from Photohop blur tool. That's the problem with point and shoot cameras, you can't set the aperture to add bokehOn closer scrutiny and interviews by Tutubi with the stall keepers, they're the same stores you'll see at the Lung center the following day and some also have concurrent presence down south in Makati's Salcedo Weekend Market (but not much in Legazpi Sunday market due to it's more upmarket clientele).
What can you find at Centris Weekend Market? Tutubi bought kakanin (puto, sapin-sapin and kutsinta), asked around for some cordillera coffee (sagada, benguet and kalinga) at Republika de Kapay plus some healthy finds at Uncle George's gourmet breads.
price list of cordilerra coffee at Republika de Kapay
Madam Q's Empanada Ti Ilocos with Ilocos delicacies including empanada, bagnet and vigan longganisaCentris Walk has the potential to develop in time as it has lots of FREE parking slots available (even stall rentals for those with entrepreneurial spirit), something it has to its advantage over the Lung Center Sunday Market and probably the looming Christmas season when Christmas bazaars sprout all over the place.
This weekend market will form part of Tutubi's routine as Tutubi Jr. loves to walk like a drunkard under Centris Walk's giant mushrooms, wander in the playground, ride the train and carousel. The bump cars and laser extreme are not yet operational.
Centris Walk weekend market is open from 6am til 2pm every Saturday. Lots of restaurants are also already open at Centris Walk: Shakeys, Pho Hoa, Tutti Frutti frozen yoghurt, Coffee Bean and tea Leaf, Jack's Loft, Italiannis, Pancake House, Zong, Claw Daddy Crab House and American Grill, Asya, My Thai Kitchen et al to satisfy your food trip curiosity.
How to get to Eton Centris Walk:
Centris Walk is connected to MRT Quezon Avenue station via Centris Station mall. For those commuting, it can be reached from Quiapo via Fairview-bound jeepneys. For Makati, any northbound bus on EDSA can be taken (e.g. Monumento, Novaliches, Malanday except those going to Fairview (they turn right to East Avenue and won't pass by EDSA corner Quezon Avenue).
Other weekend markets in Metro Manila for your food trip in one place urges:
Salcedo Weekend Market, Makati (Saturday)
Legazpi Weekend Market, Makati (Sundays in San Lorenzo Village, visited many times but unposted here)
Lung Center Sunday Market, Quezon Avenue, QC
Banchetto on Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City (Friday Night to Saturday morning)
Manila Shopping Guide
Labels: Food Trip, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Quezon City, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 10:42 PM,
,
SM Mall Hours on Christmas Day
14 December 2009
For those who intend to spend Christmas day in Metro manila (or other cities with SM malls), here's the schedule of shopping hours of SM City across the country
December 24, 2010: 9am to 7pm (to give way to the traditional noche buena)
December 25, 2010: 10 am to 12mn (yeah, lots of time to wander with kids)
SM City North EDSA, SM City Sta. Mesa (formerly SM Centerpoint), SM Megamall, SM City Cebu, SM City Southmall, SM City Bacoor, SM City Fairview, SM City Iloilo, SM City Manila, SM City Pampanga, SM City Sucat (formerly SM Supercenter Sucat), SM City Davao, SM City Bicutan, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Lucena (Quezon), SM City Baguio, SM City Marilao (Bulacan), SM City Dasmariñas (cavite), SM City Batangas, SM City San Lazaro (Manila), SM Center Valenzuela, SM Center Molino (formerly SM Supercenter Molino), SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Clark, SM Mall of Asia (MOA), SM Center Pasig (formerly SM Supercenter Pasig), SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Taytay, SM Center Muntinlupa (formerly SM Supercenter Muntinlupa), SM City Marikina, SM City Rosales, SM City Baliwag (Bulacan), SM City Naga Camarines Sur, SM Center Las Piñas Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, SM City Rosario Cavite, SM City Tarlac, SM City San Pablo Laguna, SM City Calamba Laguna, SM City Novaliches Quezon City
Upcoming SM malls under construction/planning:
SM City Masinag (SM City Antipolo) Rizal, SM Center Commonwealth Quezon City, SM City Taguig Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, SM Center Pagsanjan (Laguna), SM City North Davao (SM City Lanang) Davao City, SM City Santiago Isabela, SM City General Santos South Cotabato, SM City Tagaytay, SM City Dagupan
No confirmed information but other malls of Robinsons (Galleria, Pioneer, Malate), Ayala Malls (Trinoma, Greenbelt, Glorietta, Landmark, Alabang Town center, Market!Market! Bonifacio High Street), Starmall, Marquee Mall, Eton Centris, Gateway Mall, Eastwood City Mall, NCCC, Gaisano, Star Mall, Sunstar Mall usually have similar if not the same mall operating hours.
Note: MMDA number coding is lifted on Christmas day even in the Republic of Makati
related post:
SM Holy Week Mall Hours
Ayala Mall Hours Holy Week
December 24, 2010: 9am to 7pm (to give way to the traditional noche buena)
December 25, 2010: 10 am to 12mn (yeah, lots of time to wander with kids)
SM City North EDSA, SM City Sta. Mesa (formerly SM Centerpoint), SM Megamall, SM City Cebu, SM City Southmall, SM City Bacoor, SM City Fairview, SM City Iloilo, SM City Manila, SM City Pampanga, SM City Sucat (formerly SM Supercenter Sucat), SM City Davao, SM City Bicutan, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Lucena (Quezon), SM City Baguio, SM City Marilao (Bulacan), SM City Dasmariñas (cavite), SM City Batangas, SM City San Lazaro (Manila), SM Center Valenzuela, SM Center Molino (formerly SM Supercenter Molino), SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Clark, SM Mall of Asia (MOA), SM Center Pasig (formerly SM Supercenter Pasig), SM City Lipa, SM City Bacolod, SM City Taytay, SM Center Muntinlupa (formerly SM Supercenter Muntinlupa), SM City Marikina, SM City Rosales, SM City Baliwag (Bulacan), SM City Naga Camarines Sur, SM Center Las Piñas Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, SM City Rosario Cavite, SM City Tarlac, SM City San Pablo Laguna, SM City Calamba Laguna, SM City Novaliches Quezon City
Upcoming SM malls under construction/planning:
SM City Masinag (SM City Antipolo) Rizal, SM Center Commonwealth Quezon City, SM City Taguig Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, SM Center Pagsanjan (Laguna), SM City North Davao (SM City Lanang) Davao City, SM City Santiago Isabela, SM City General Santos South Cotabato, SM City Tagaytay, SM City Dagupan
No confirmed information but other malls of Robinsons (Galleria, Pioneer, Malate), Ayala Malls (Trinoma, Greenbelt, Glorietta, Landmark, Alabang Town center, Market!Market! Bonifacio High Street), Starmall, Marquee Mall, Eton Centris, Gateway Mall, Eastwood City Mall, NCCC, Gaisano, Star Mall, Sunstar Mall usually have similar if not the same mall operating hours.
Note: MMDA number coding is lifted on Christmas day even in the Republic of Makati
related post:
SM Holy Week Mall Hours
Ayala Mall Hours Holy Week
posted by GingGoy @ 9:56 PM,
,
A Visit to Tutuban Center Mall, Divisoria, Manila
15 November 2009
A shopping mall built on historic ground and in the middle of a sprawling shopping mecca that is Divisoria, Tutuban Center is an air-conditioned version of stalls selling cheap goods particularly clothes (RTWs et al) and textiles.
Tutuban Primeblock fronting C.M. Recto and facing the street going to 168 Shopping Mall. Also visible is the Andres Bonifacio Monument
Tutuban Centermall sporting a bahay-na-bato architecture
inside Tutuban Center are lines and lines of stalls selling almost everything under sun but with the convenience of escalators and air-conditioning
History of Tutuban (origin of the name):
Located in the district of Tondo, Manila, Tutuban was named as such because it used to be a production center of tuba, a fermented drink made from coconut or nipa palm.
Tutuban is the historic birthplace of Katipunan founder and national hero Andres Bonifacio of which a monument dedicated to him can be found in front of Tutuban Centermall plus a small park where people can rest (and also the best spot to flag a taxi in Divisoria)
ATM in Tutuban Center:
Banco de Oro (BDO) ATM at Tutuban Center Primeblock ground floor
Security bank at Tutuban Center Mall
How to get there:
please refer to this post on How to get to Divisoria for directions and commuting guides to Tutuban Mall
Related Links:
Manila Shopping Guide
Philippine National Railways
168 Shopping Mall
How to get to Divisoria
Tutuban Primeblock fronting C.M. Recto and facing the street going to 168 Shopping Mall. Also visible is the Andres Bonifacio Monument
Tutuban Centermall sporting a bahay-na-bato architecture
inside Tutuban Center are lines and lines of stalls selling almost everything under sun but with the convenience of escalators and air-conditioningHistory of Tutuban (origin of the name):
Located in the district of Tondo, Manila, Tutuban was named as such because it used to be a production center of tuba, a fermented drink made from coconut or nipa palm.
Tutuban is the historic birthplace of Katipunan founder and national hero Andres Bonifacio of which a monument dedicated to him can be found in front of Tutuban Centermall plus a small park where people can rest (and also the best spot to flag a taxi in Divisoria)
ATM in Tutuban Center:
Banco de Oro (BDO) ATM at Tutuban Center Primeblock ground floor
Security bank at Tutuban Center Mall
How to get there:
please refer to this post on How to get to Divisoria for directions and commuting guides to Tutuban Mall
Related Links:
Manila Shopping Guide
Philippine National Railways
168 Shopping Mall
How to get to Divisoria
Labels: Divisoria, Malls, Manila, Metro Manila, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:30 PM,
,
Subic Duty Free Shopping at Royal Subic Mall and Puregold, Are They Worth It?
08 October 2009
The recent visit to Balanga, Bataan was capped by an unplanned visit to Subic since the lead vehicle in the 3 car convoy didn't see the exit to NLEX along SCTEx due to heavy rain and thus just decided to head straight to do some dutyfree shopping in Subic instead.
Royal Subic Mall, picture taken while raining. beside it is Puregold DutyFree
Herewith is Tutubi's review of dutyfree shopping in Subic to answer the question: Is Dutyfree shopping worth it?
It depends on the buyer. If the shopper knows the prices of the goods
before going there all the way from Manila, it's a bargain otherwise
she's just wasting her money for the items you can have at the same or
slightly more expensive price in Manila.
Tutubi found out the price of Spam Lite (yeah, forget original Spam,
even Spam with less Sodium for they're too salty) at Royal Subic is just
the same at Walter Mart and SM but Snickers chocolate bars are sold with
a PhP7 difference than the mentioned malls.
If you're looking for local items, why bother going there to buy those
things?
Infant milk formula, though a tad cheaper, but not all brands are on
sale like Nan One HW for hypoallergenic milk formulas for sensitive babies like Tutubi, Jr.
Havaianas flip-flops prices are PhP100 lower than Manila's malls, that's
according to Tutubi's peer who loves those expensive footwear from
Brazil (Tutubi prefers the low priced flip-flops at Munoz Market, dirt
cheap and not heartbreaking should he lose or break one)
The only reason people should go duty-free shopping is when the products
they're looking for are not available at the local malls or hard-to-find
items.
The best reason not to go there: Buy Philippine-made products, it
creates jobs and helps the economy. Discard the colonial-mentality that
everything imported is better than local products. It's not always the case.
Lastly, try to internalize this mantra: Buy not what you need, not what
you want. What you don't really need, however cheap, is expensive!
Notes on Subic Duty Free Shopping:
Credit cards are accepted as well as US dollar notes for payment. BancNet ATM cards can also be used to pay for your purchases at Puregold Duty Free Mall
Royal Subic Mall
Mall hours: open from 10am to 7pm (Monday - Thursday)
9am to 7pm (Friday - Sunday)
Tel. No: +63.47.252.3015; +63.47.252.6115
Tip: also in Subic Petron gas station is a Nike Factory store (another nike factory outlet is in the Shell gas station on the southbound lane of NLEX)
Royal Subic Mall, picture taken while raining. beside it is Puregold DutyFreeHerewith is Tutubi's review of dutyfree shopping in Subic to answer the question: Is Dutyfree shopping worth it?
It depends on the buyer. If the shopper knows the prices of the goods
before going there all the way from Manila, it's a bargain otherwise
she's just wasting her money for the items you can have at the same or
slightly more expensive price in Manila.
Tutubi found out the price of Spam Lite (yeah, forget original Spam,
even Spam with less Sodium for they're too salty) at Royal Subic is just
the same at Walter Mart and SM but Snickers chocolate bars are sold with
a PhP7 difference than the mentioned malls.
If you're looking for local items, why bother going there to buy those
things?
Infant milk formula, though a tad cheaper, but not all brands are on
sale like Nan One HW for hypoallergenic milk formulas for sensitive babies like Tutubi, Jr.
Havaianas flip-flops prices are PhP100 lower than Manila's malls, that's
according to Tutubi's peer who loves those expensive footwear from
Brazil (Tutubi prefers the low priced flip-flops at Munoz Market, dirt
cheap and not heartbreaking should he lose or break one)
The only reason people should go duty-free shopping is when the products
they're looking for are not available at the local malls or hard-to-find
items.
The best reason not to go there: Buy Philippine-made products, it
creates jobs and helps the economy. Discard the colonial-mentality that
everything imported is better than local products. It's not always the case.
Lastly, try to internalize this mantra: Buy not what you need, not what
you want. What you don't really need, however cheap, is expensive!
Notes on Subic Duty Free Shopping:
Credit cards are accepted as well as US dollar notes for payment. BancNet ATM cards can also be used to pay for your purchases at Puregold Duty Free Mall
Royal Subic Mall
Mall hours: open from 10am to 7pm (Monday - Thursday)
9am to 7pm (Friday - Sunday)
Tel. No: +63.47.252.3015; +63.47.252.6115
Tip: also in Subic Petron gas station is a Nike Factory store (another nike factory outlet is in the Shell gas station on the southbound lane of NLEX)
Labels: Central Luzon, Malls, Shopping, Subic, Zambales
posted by GingGoy @ 9:30 PM,
,
Lung Center Sunday Market: Tiangge in Quezon City
07 January 2009
A favorite haunt of Tutubi on Sunday mornings being just a fifteen-minute drive away or two short jeepney rides from home, the grounds of the Lung Center of the Philippines, with it's shady trees, come alive bustling with activity with food stalls, tiangge and dry goods for sale with regional specialties and products from almost every corner of the Philippines.
Shopping at the sunday market has become a routine for people near the area to shop for their food supplies for a week to cook at home. Various fish, seafood, meats, organic produce, vegetables, herbs and spices (e.g wheat grass, basil, thyme,) , regional specialties and exotic stuff can be found here at a cost lower than Manila's gigantic malls.
Many people asked Tutubi (a wannabe history buff) why the sunday market is called Sidcor, well, it's called Sidcor since in the 90's it used to be located at Sidcor Plaza, where the no-longer-extant Sidcor Resort also used to be, at the corner of EDSA and Main Avenue, the present site of Makro Cubao.
Sidcor Organic Market finds and more:
Kalamay and sinukmani, both rice-based desserts (kakanin)
an assortment of kakanin for sale
For lovers of organic stuff, lettuce packs at 3 for P100. For comparison, similar items at SM malls cost P60/each making these organic greens about 50% cheaper.
Tamales P5/each (small)
or the complete tamales meal at P50 but turned out much of the volume you see were just banana leaves
Live Frogs P250/kilo, people of Paete call them palakang kabakab, cooked by Kapampangans into betute. The French also eat frog legs or what they call "les cuisses de grenouilles."
eggs of Bayawak (water monitor lizard) P130 each (this is not recommended as the bayawak is an endangered species, therefore protected...there are live bayawak on display at the Protected Animals and Wildlife Rescue Center (PAWB Mini-Zoo) inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife just across the Lung Center)
Live Dalag (Mudfish) P200/kilo. This specimen weighs 1.5 kgs and is about 30 centimeters long
sinukmani and kalamay (rice cake) P10/slice
Yacon (great for diabetics): P40/kilo (if you want cheaper at P20/kilo or less at wholesale price, look for them on the highway of Nueva Vizcaya particularly Bambang and the cold, upland town of Kasibu)
lato/arosep (seaweed): P120/kilogram
Vigan Empanada: P60/pc, not worth it though, still recommend the authentic ones at Vigan's plaza
Fresh curacha flown from Zamboanga City
Curacha, (sea crabs) endemic to the waters of Zamboanga, Basilan and Tawi-tawi at PhP550.00/kilo (about $11/kg), expensive, yes, but it's the only place Tutubi has seen the sinfully delicious crustaceans outside Zamboanga City. It's already a steal in these low cost of living Philippine islands.
With various food finds and delicacies present, the Lung Center Sunday Market easily answers the question on where to find hard-to-find items, long before the Salcedo Weekend Market and the Legaspi Sunday Market came to be. The latter two were said to be inspired by the original Sidcor Organic Market in Cubao. The three weekend markets, plus Market! Market in Taguig City and Tiendesitas in Pasig City recommended stops for tourists, locals and foreigners, wishing to sample Philippine cuisine and food specialties without actually going to the actual places.
Lastly, should you happen to get there, note that Lung Center's specialty dish is the exotic BOPIS!
---
Lung Center Sunday Market (Sidcor)
Lung Center Compound, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Open from 6am up to 1pm, Sunday
Parking Fee of P20 for first 8 hours, P5 every hour thereafter
Tip: Use the second gate when parking to avoid the long queue of vehicles entering the first gate. More spacious parking at the left side than those on the right side though farther from the flea market and tiangge stalls.
How to get to Lung Center of the Philippines:
Commute: From MRT Quezon Avenue station, best to hire a cab or if you feel like really commuting, board a bus or jeepney bound for Fairview/Lagro/Philcoa or UP and drop off in front of the Lung Center of the Philippines. (this is opposite the pedestrian entrance of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center) also on Quezon Avenue. From Manila, jeepneys and buses with signboard Fairview, Lagro and Philcoa all pass by the place. From LRT Monumento station (good for those coming from Cavite), you need to board buses going to Baclaran or Cubao then alight on Quezon Avenue before transferring to a Fairview-bound jeep or bus.
Driving Directions to Lung Center:
1. if you have a car, from Makati or SLEX, take EDSA going to Quezon City, right turn on Quezon Avenue (ilalim) then enter the hospital entrance gate about 300 meters from the corner of Agham road (the first traffic lights after EDSA). You need to pay a minimal parking fee.
2. From NLEX, it's best to take EDSA then North Avenue, passing by SM North EDSA and Trinoma Mall, right turn on Agham Road (pass by the neo-classical building Office of the Ombudsman, Philippine Science High School (PSHS or pisay) and Manila Seedling Bank) then left turn again on Quezon Avenue to reach the center.
3. From Manila, it's just a "straight" drive from Quiapo's Quezon Boulevard, Lerma, Espana, pass by Welcome Rotonda, to reach Quezon Avenue where the center is just near Elliptical Road and Quezon Memorial Circle.
4. From SLEX or Rizal province via C5, drive straight on C5 then Katipunan Avenue to pass by Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) campus, turn left on C.P. Garcia (the University of the Philippines campus), right on Commonwealth avenue to make a U-turn going to Elliptical Road (Quezon Circle) then Quezon Avenue where you need to take a U-turn again to get to the other side.
For a vicinity and road map of Lung Center, click here. Beside the Lung Center of the Philippines is the National Kidney Institute of the Philippines (NKI).
Other notable landmarks and interesting places nearby are the Quezon Memorial Circle (Quezon City Circle), Quezon City Hall, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Office of the Ombudsman (yeah, that dysfunctional government agency who can't seem to go after allies of the administration...ranting :P), Philippine Science High School, Bantayog ng mga Bayani, Philcoa (Philippine Coconut Authority), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical and Space Administration or PAGASA Science Garden (with its Planetarium), Veterans Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, University of the Philippines (UP), Philippine Heart Center, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Philippine Childrens Medical Center (PCMC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), LTFRB, NIA, NPO, Manila Seedling Bank, Trinoma Mall, and SM City North EDSA.
Related Posts:
Manila Shopping Guide
Tiendesitas
Salcedo Weekend Market
Manila Seedling Bank,
SM City North EDSA and Trinoma Mall
Quezon Memorial Circle
Shopping at the sunday market has become a routine for people near the area to shop for their food supplies for a week to cook at home. Various fish, seafood, meats, organic produce, vegetables, herbs and spices (e.g wheat grass, basil, thyme,) , regional specialties and exotic stuff can be found here at a cost lower than Manila's gigantic malls.Many people asked Tutubi (a wannabe history buff) why the sunday market is called Sidcor, well, it's called Sidcor since in the 90's it used to be located at Sidcor Plaza, where the no-longer-extant Sidcor Resort also used to be, at the corner of EDSA and Main Avenue, the present site of Makro Cubao.
Sidcor Organic Market finds and more:
Kalamay and sinukmani, both rice-based desserts (kakanin)
an assortment of kakanin for saleFor lovers of organic stuff, lettuce packs at 3 for P100. For comparison, similar items at SM malls cost P60/each making these organic greens about 50% cheaper.
Tamales P5/each (small)
or the complete tamales meal at P50 but turned out much of the volume you see were just banana leaves
Live Frogs P250/kilo, people of Paete call them palakang kabakab, cooked by Kapampangans into betute. The French also eat frog legs or what they call "les cuisses de grenouilles."
eggs of Bayawak (water monitor lizard) P130 each (this is not recommended as the bayawak is an endangered species, therefore protected...there are live bayawak on display at the Protected Animals and Wildlife Rescue Center (PAWB Mini-Zoo) inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife just across the Lung Center)
Live Dalag (Mudfish) P200/kilo. This specimen weighs 1.5 kgs and is about 30 centimeters longsinukmani and kalamay (rice cake) P10/slice
Yacon (great for diabetics): P40/kilo (if you want cheaper at P20/kilo or less at wholesale price, look for them on the highway of Nueva Vizcaya particularly Bambang and the cold, upland town of Kasibu)
lato/arosep (seaweed): P120/kilogram
Vigan Empanada: P60/pc, not worth it though, still recommend the authentic ones at Vigan's plaza
Fresh curacha flown from Zamboanga CityCuracha, (sea crabs) endemic to the waters of Zamboanga, Basilan and Tawi-tawi at PhP550.00/kilo (about $11/kg), expensive, yes, but it's the only place Tutubi has seen the sinfully delicious crustaceans outside Zamboanga City. It's already a steal in these low cost of living Philippine islands.
With various food finds and delicacies present, the Lung Center Sunday Market easily answers the question on where to find hard-to-find items, long before the Salcedo Weekend Market and the Legaspi Sunday Market came to be. The latter two were said to be inspired by the original Sidcor Organic Market in Cubao. The three weekend markets, plus Market! Market in Taguig City and Tiendesitas in Pasig City recommended stops for tourists, locals and foreigners, wishing to sample Philippine cuisine and food specialties without actually going to the actual places.
Lastly, should you happen to get there, note that Lung Center's specialty dish is the exotic BOPIS!
---
Lung Center Sunday Market (Sidcor)
Lung Center Compound, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Open from 6am up to 1pm, Sunday
Parking Fee of P20 for first 8 hours, P5 every hour thereafter
Tip: Use the second gate when parking to avoid the long queue of vehicles entering the first gate. More spacious parking at the left side than those on the right side though farther from the flea market and tiangge stalls.
How to get to Lung Center of the Philippines:
Commute: From MRT Quezon Avenue station, best to hire a cab or if you feel like really commuting, board a bus or jeepney bound for Fairview/Lagro/Philcoa or UP and drop off in front of the Lung Center of the Philippines. (this is opposite the pedestrian entrance of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center) also on Quezon Avenue. From Manila, jeepneys and buses with signboard Fairview, Lagro and Philcoa all pass by the place. From LRT Monumento station (good for those coming from Cavite), you need to board buses going to Baclaran or Cubao then alight on Quezon Avenue before transferring to a Fairview-bound jeep or bus.
Driving Directions to Lung Center:
1. if you have a car, from Makati or SLEX, take EDSA going to Quezon City, right turn on Quezon Avenue (ilalim) then enter the hospital entrance gate about 300 meters from the corner of Agham road (the first traffic lights after EDSA). You need to pay a minimal parking fee.
2. From NLEX, it's best to take EDSA then North Avenue, passing by SM North EDSA and Trinoma Mall, right turn on Agham Road (pass by the neo-classical building Office of the Ombudsman, Philippine Science High School (PSHS or pisay) and Manila Seedling Bank) then left turn again on Quezon Avenue to reach the center.
3. From Manila, it's just a "straight" drive from Quiapo's Quezon Boulevard, Lerma, Espana, pass by Welcome Rotonda, to reach Quezon Avenue where the center is just near Elliptical Road and Quezon Memorial Circle.
4. From SLEX or Rizal province via C5, drive straight on C5 then Katipunan Avenue to pass by Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) campus, turn left on C.P. Garcia (the University of the Philippines campus), right on Commonwealth avenue to make a U-turn going to Elliptical Road (Quezon Circle) then Quezon Avenue where you need to take a U-turn again to get to the other side.
For a vicinity and road map of Lung Center, click here. Beside the Lung Center of the Philippines is the National Kidney Institute of the Philippines (NKI).
Other notable landmarks and interesting places nearby are the Quezon Memorial Circle (Quezon City Circle), Quezon City Hall, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Office of the Ombudsman (yeah, that dysfunctional government agency who can't seem to go after allies of the administration...ranting :P), Philippine Science High School, Bantayog ng mga Bayani, Philcoa (Philippine Coconut Authority), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical and Space Administration or PAGASA Science Garden (with its Planetarium), Veterans Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, University of the Philippines (UP), Philippine Heart Center, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Philippine Childrens Medical Center (PCMC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), LTFRB, NIA, NPO, Manila Seedling Bank, Trinoma Mall, and SM City North EDSA.
Related Posts:
Manila Shopping Guide
Tiendesitas
Salcedo Weekend Market
Manila Seedling Bank,
SM City North EDSA and Trinoma Mall
Quezon Memorial Circle
Labels: Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Quezon City, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:01 PM,
,
Manila Shopping Guide and Tips: Divisoria, Malls, Markets and the Art of Haggling
31 October 2008
Do you want to know where locals buy items in Manila at very low prices? They're not in malls but in places scattered all over the metropolis where Filipinos in-the-know flock to to buy things at low prices, big discounts, and cheap items. You need to have a discerning eye for quality and authentic stuff though for some shops.
Even with the advent of humongous shopping malls about twenty years ago, these special trade centers survived the onslaught of the suction effect of nearby malls sucking economic life from traditional downtown places. One prime example of this is Raon, now called Gonzalo Puyat St., in Quiapo Manila. It's not as grand as Tokyo's Akihabara but electronics shops still line the street even selling DIY kits of videoke machines with coin slots (this used to be Tutubi's favorite haunt before he got the photography bug thereby shifting his attention to nearby photographers' haven on Hidalgo St.)
Where to buy list of areas lined with specialty shops, some of them cheaper due to bulk orders:
Guitars and Musical Instruments - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint); also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Computers, PC accessories and gadgets - Gilmore and Hemady Streets corner Aurora Blvd, New Manila (near LRT 2 Gilmore station)
Construction supplies and home building - EDSA from Munoz up to Balintawak, Quezon City
School and office supplies - Yuchengco St (formerly Nueva) Binondo, Sto. Cristo St., Divisoria
Gold jewelries (Chinese) - Ongpin St, Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
Chinese Medicine - Ongpin St. in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila
Pearls and Jewelries- Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan; Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Electronic parts and fixtures - Raon St. (Gonzalo Puyat), Quiapo, Manila
DVDs and CDs (mostly pirated music and movies) -Quiapo (Bautista St and other sidestreets)
Eyeglasses/optometrists - Paterno St, Quiapo (parallel to Raon)
Industrial tools and supplies - T. Alonzo St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Cannibalized parts of old houses - Dimasalang St. near Dangwa bus terminal
Car parts and accessories - Banaue St, Quezon city
Printers (invitations for weddings, and other events) - C.M. Recto avenue (mendiola to rizal avenue)
Art supplies - Avenida/Recto area in Sta Cruz, Manila
Cross stitch threads and supplies - Hidalgo St, Quiapo (near the terminal of Balic-balic and Lealtad jeepneys)
Picture frames - Andalucia St. near Central Market and Fugoso St
Flowers - Dangwa area on Dos Castillas St, Sampaloc, Manila (near A.H. Lacson St. (formerly Gov. Forbes))
Camera and Photography stuff (lenses, tripods, filters et al) and photo printing - Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila (the street in front of Quiapo Church)
Pets (some pet shops sell endangered, protected, smuggled thereby banned animals e.g birds, aquarium fishes, turtles, piranhas) - Aranque Market, Sta. Cruz, Manila and Cartimar, Pasay City
Birds, besides Aranque Market and Cartimar, there's the Weekend Bird Tiangge in Hulo, Malabon beside Hulo Market. Saturday and Sunday mornings
Antiques - Ermita, Manila and Bangkal, Makati (Evangelista, Hizon and Apolinario Sts)
Old CDs, memorabilia - marikina shoe expo (Cubao X), Bangkal, Makati
Native handicrafts and artworks - Quinta Market, Quiapo and Dapitan Arcade, both in Manila
Fruits - Carmen Planas St, Divisoria; Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila
Toys - Tabora St, Divisoria
Dry Goods - Ylaya St, Divisoria,
Dental and medical supplies - Avenida from Recto to Bambang, Fugoso St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Baking and Cooking - Asuncion St, Divisoria, Manila
Fabrics/Textiles (muslin, rayon, poplin, polyester, cotton, knit, piña) - Ilaya St in Divisoria, Manila or Kamuning Market in Quezon City
Religious Sculptures - Tayuman St., Sta. Cruz near LRT Tayuman Station
Dentures, retainers, braces and other dental items: San Miguel, Manila at the back of CEU
Seafoods - Aranque Market in Sta. Cruz, and areas called Dampa and Seaside (if you want to buy them in bulk, you can go to Navotas fishport for the traditional "bulongan/bulungan" (whisper) negotiation
Lechon (roast pig) - La Loma District of Quezon City
Bearings and Oil Seals - Masangkay St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Lighting Fixtures, lightbulbs - Soler St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Signs and signboards - Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City
Trophies, plaques, medals - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint) in San Juan; also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Kris, Knives, swords, Muslim wares - the sidewalks of Quiapo, Manila
Herbal medicines, folk cures, abortifacients (euphemistically called pamparegla)- Quiapo near the church
Uniforms (made-to-order Military Uniforms, belts, bags and combat boots for
CMT/ROTC, NBA basketball clubs and other sports) - Quezon Boulevard northbound in Quiapo and a stretch of Recto from Avenida to Mendiola)
Books, Textbooks and pocketbooks (used/second hand) - CM. Recto Avenue in the University Belt (just before the MMDA cleared the sidewalks)
Motorcycles, motorbikes, bikes, mopeds, scooters, vespa - the so-called Motorcycle City on 10th Avenue near Monumento in Caloocan City
Metal works and stainless steel equipment like rotisserie - MacArthur Highway, Valenzuela City (similar place in Cavite)
Ukay-ukay (used clothes, shoes, bags) - Bambang St. Sta. Cruz, Manila near LRT Bambang station
Vegetables at "Bagsakan" price - Balintawak Market (bagsak presyo)
Itlog na Maalat (salted eggs), Balut (aborted duck embryos) and alfombra footwear - Pateros
Kakanin (Filipino desserts e.g. bibingka, sapin-sapin and pichi-pichi) - Bonifacio St., Cainta (Rizal) near Cainta Church
Mobility Aids (wheelchairs, crutches and walkers) - Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Cainta, Rizal
Diplomas (any school), certificates, fake IDs - "Recto University," Quiapo, Manila
Snake Oil, the effervescent cure all - C.M. Recto, just look for curious people in groups and loud voices reciting an endless litany of diseases that can be cured by their "panacea" :P
This list is not exhaustive, other people may have similar "secret shopping places" unknown to Tutubi
There are various factory outlet stores scattered in Metro Manila but there's still nothing similar to Hong Kong's Citygate Outlets where branded items are sold at big discounts. The Designer Depot at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Osmena Highway falls short of the mark (besides being in a dangerous place to be stuck in traffic)
Markets, Tiangge, Bazaars et al
Divisoria: comparable to Bangkok's Chatuchak market, where you can buy anything under the sun at dirt cheap prices. There's also 168 Mall, something like Divisoria with air-conditioner. Other malls include Tutuban Center, Meisic Mall and Divisoria Mall. It can be reached via jeepneys on Taft Avenue (where the LRT runs) with signboard Divisoria. From Cubao, better take the LRT 2, get off at Recto station then transfer to jeepneys with Divisoria signboards. (Note: you can't ride the LRT if you have too much baggage with you)
How to get to Divisoria
Baclaran Market
located near the popular Redemptorist Church and accessible via LRT Baclaran station. If you're coming from Quezon City, you can take the MRT, get off at the last station (Taft Avenue) then transfer to the LRT or board a Baclaran-bound jeepney.
Aranque Market
C.M. Recto St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
How to get there: walking distance from LRT 2 Recto station or LRT Doroteo Jose station. Jeepneys going to Divisoria from Cubao will take you there or those jeepneys plying Rizal Avenue (just alight on Recto corner Rizal Avenue (Avenida))
Kamuning Market:
Kamuning St., Quezon City (near Delgado Hospital)
How to get there: Take the MRT and alight at GMA-Kamuning Station. Walk a little towards Kamuning (or Kamias Street) then ride a jeepney with Quiapo signboard and request the driver to drop you off the the market. Fare is just the minimum. Alternatively, jeepneys in Quiapo with signboard Project 2-3 pass by the place.
Dangwa Flower Market
Stretch of Dos Castillas St from Dimasalang, Laong-laan and Dapitan St, Sampaloc, Manila
Flowers (e.g. mums, gerberas, roses, anthuriums, tulips, et al) for any occasion at wholesale prices. It's named after the nearby transport terminal where buses from Baguio City arrive with loads of fresh flowers from the city of pines.
How to get there: From Quiapo, board jeepneys with signboard Dimasalang or Dapitan and drop off when you see the flower shops after crossing Gov. Forbes (now A.H. Lacson). Alternatives: from LRT Tayuman station, ride jeepneys going to Lardizabal and request the driver to drop you there. Conversely, from LRT 2 Pureza station, walk towards Lardizabal St and board jeepneys going to Tayuman. (for those with cars, only street parking is available so park at your own risk)
Bangkal Vintage Shopping
Evangelista, Apolinario and Hizon Streets, Bangkal, Makati
How to get there: Board jeepneys with signboard Evangelista on Taft Avenue from LRT Libertad station. You may also take the MRT get off at Magallanes station then flag a taxi to take you there.
Dapitan Arcade
Address: Dapitan St, between Mayon and Kanlaon Streets, the border of Manila and Quezon City
How to get there: From Quiapo, board a jeepney with Dapitan signboard and drop off near the arcade.
For those tourists looking for regional specialties like food, pasalubong and almost anything under the sun: Manila's Weekend Markets
Sidcor-Centris Sunday Market
Eton Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Every Sunday, 6am to 12nn
Remarks: One of Tutubi's favorite food trip destinations
How to get there: walking distance from MRT Quezon Avenue station
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Village, San Lorenzo Village
Every Sunday 9am to 4pm
How to get there: From LRT Gil Puyat Station, board bus with Ayala/Rustans on the signboard and alight on Ayala Avenue corner Rufino (formerly HerreraSt., where the conductor will shout Rufino, PBCOM, Paseo). Walk back towards Rufino, turn left and continue walking until you the market at the corner of Legaspi and Herrera St.
Salcedo Weekend Market (Saturday)
Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Every Saturday 7am to 2pm
How to get there: From MRT Gil Puyat station, board a jeepney going to LRT/Taft or Washington then alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas/Malugay. Cross Buendia and walk along Tordesillas St until you see the park with stalls. Alternatively, from LRT Buendia station, board a jeepney with signboard Guadalupe and alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas [landmarks: Ministop, Philtrust Bank and Jollibee]. From that corner, Velasquez Park is just about 200 meters away.
Alabang Organic Market
Alabang, Muntinlupa
Location: Narra Parking lot in front of Corte de las Palmas
Saturday, 6am to 12nn
Northeast Greenhills Weekend Market,
Connecticut St., Greenhills, San Juan
Located near Greenhills Shopping Center
Sunday, 7am to 12nn
Banchetto Ortigas
Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Mostly food and dry goods catering to call center employees
Saturday, 2:30 am to 1 pm
Cuenca Community Bazaar
Cuenca Community Center, Ayala-Alabang
Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 9pm
(until Dec. 21, 2008)
(Last month, there was Pick Manila weekend market at Celadon Residences near SM San Lazaro (that shopping mall that erased the historic San Lazaro racetrack, reason why Tutubi hates you, SM San Lazaro). Tutubi also heard of the Malatapay Wednesday Market in Zamboanguita near Dumaguete. Will try to check it out should he return there)
The Usual Shopping Malls:
The Philippines' malls are like mini-cities by themselves with supermarkets, department stores, lots of mall spaces for lease, movie cinemas, game arcades, gardens, restaurants, food courts and others you don't normally find in malls of other countries. They're open all throughout the year from 10am to 9pm on Monday to Thursday and 10am to 10pm from Friday to Sunday. Malls are usually closed during Holy Week particularly Holy Thursday and Good Friday (there are exceptions though like SM City Baguio). SM malls open at 12nn on All Saints Day.
SM, the largest mall operator has malls in almost every major city of the Philippines with SM Mall of Asia the largest of them all fronting the historic Manila Bay.
Robinsons also operate malls with numerous ones in the National Capital Region and a few locations outside the metropolis.
Ayala malls include Glorietta 1-5 and Greenbelt 1-5, in Makati, Trinoma in Quezon City and Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa. There also is Ayala Center in Cebu City. Glorietta and Greenbelt are walking distance from MRT Ayala station while Alabang Town Center needs a bus ride to Alabang, south of Makati.
Upscale malls with branded items are Greenbelt 4 and 5 in Makati, Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Rustans malls in various locations in Metro Manila.
Market! Market!
Bonifacio Global City
How to get there: From MRT Guadalupe station, board a jeepney with Market! on the signboard. Alternately, from MRT Ayala station (EDSA corner Ayala Avenue), there are buses servicing The Fort whose routes end at Market!Market!
Greenhills Shopping Center
City of San Juan
How to get there: From MRT Ortigas Avenue station, walk towards Robinsons Galleria then board a jeep going to San Juan. Buses of G Liner and RRCG servicing Cainta to Quiapo, Manila route pass by the place.
HK Sun Plaza
Macapagal Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
mostly Hong Kong style shopping of made in china products. reported to be suppliers of merchants of 168 Mall, Baclaran and Divisoria
Tiendesitas on Ortigas Avenue corner C5 inside Frontera Verde.
Other malls are Metropolis in Alabang, Starmall on EDSA Mandaluyong
Isn't the Philippines a real shopping mecca?
Credit Cards and Shopping Money:
Public markets are mostly cash-only except some establishments accepting credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) or debit card POS payments (BancNet, BDO, BPI and Landbank).
Chinese nationals holding debit cards of China Union Pay (CUP) can withdraw cash from BancNet ATMs or pay for their goods using Point-of-Sale systems (POS) at SM groceries, supermarkets and other accredited establishments.
ATMs (cash machines) are conveniently located inside malls or just the periphery. Banco de Oro ATMs are all over SM as well as Chinabank due to their connection with the owner while BPI ATMs are scattered in Ayala-owned malls of Glorietta, Greenbelt and Trinoma.
There are also some establishments, including SM supermarket and department stores, accepting payments by swiping ATM cards (debit cards) at Point-of-Sale terminals (POS) using BPI EPS, Landbank, BDO and all BancNet member banks.
The Art of Haggling
Haggling is an art practiced by Filipinos in markets, bazaars and tiangge, where the posted or advertised prices can be brought down to a small percentage of the price. You can always ask for discounts and bargains by polite request or banter, at times starting at half the price and working from there until both of you agree at the price.
For foreigners, vendors will try to quote a price much higher than what locals get. The trick is to let a local do the negotiations, particularly someone who knows a little about the language, if not a local of the place. This is just one of the reasons why Tutubi tries to learn the local language instead of using Tagalog, he wants to get items at a local, not a touristy, price. In case you have no companion, wait until a local inquires about the price of the merchandise then buy at the same price the local got it.
Tutubi is not an expert on this but he also knows how to haggle, particularly when he senses the price needs to be lowered. If in case haggling can only bring a minimal discount or if he's feeling charitable, he won't haggle for a lower price, he just thinks he's actually helping the vendor earn a decent living rather than give dole-outs to indolent people around town.
Safety and Security:
Some of the areas mentioned, e.g. Divisoria and Baclaran, are littered with pickpockets, thieves, snatchers (cellphones usually) and other petty criminals. Some nooks and crannies are also particularly considered not safe at night. As general rules, use common sense, have a companion if possible, be on your guard always, dress down, don't make yourself an attractive target for crooks and you'll be fine.
It's due to these concerns plus the incovenient, non-airconditioned spaces that people with money to burn prefer to shop in Manila's gigantic shopping malls, at least three of them included in the ten largest malls in the world - SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM City North EDSA - so much for a third world country that can lay claim to the title Mall Capital of Asia, if not of the world.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Buying pirated DVDs and CDs is one of the causes of the ailing movie and music industries. Piracy is now also linked to terrorism where terrorists use funds to finance their death-mongering ways in the name of religion.
Develop an eye for authentic stuff to avoid getting duped e.g. how would you know if pearls are real? Tutubi found this out in Greenhills from a stall attendant: real pearls when scratched can be buffed and returned to it's smooth sparkling beauty; synthetic pearls scratches can't be removed easily.
Buying endangered wildlife encourages smuggling and poaching, driving some of the animals to the brink of extinction. Please don't buy them. You may also get in trouble with the law, particularly the Protected Animals and Welfare Bureau (PAWB). Animals taken from the wild seldom survive long in captivity and can carry dangerous viruses-- remember SARS, AIDS and bird flu!
Be mindful of excess baggage rates of your airline. Paying for excess baggage charges may be more expensive than buying things at your neighborhood shopping place.
For foreigners, be wary of duties and taxes on returning to your home country. You may have to pay more for customs duties when you arrive at the airport plus some items may not be permitted for entry due to restrictions and quarantine requirements.
Lastly, recommend buying Philippine-made products if price and quality is at par with others. It's good for the economy.
Related Links:
Camera Shops on Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
168 Mall
Dangwa Cheap Flowers
Even with the advent of humongous shopping malls about twenty years ago, these special trade centers survived the onslaught of the suction effect of nearby malls sucking economic life from traditional downtown places. One prime example of this is Raon, now called Gonzalo Puyat St., in Quiapo Manila. It's not as grand as Tokyo's Akihabara but electronics shops still line the street even selling DIY kits of videoke machines with coin slots (this used to be Tutubi's favorite haunt before he got the photography bug thereby shifting his attention to nearby photographers' haven on Hidalgo St.)
Where to buy list of areas lined with specialty shops, some of them cheaper due to bulk orders:
Guitars and Musical Instruments - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint); also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Computers, PC accessories and gadgets - Gilmore and Hemady Streets corner Aurora Blvd, New Manila (near LRT 2 Gilmore station)
Construction supplies and home building - EDSA from Munoz up to Balintawak, Quezon City
School and office supplies - Yuchengco St (formerly Nueva) Binondo, Sto. Cristo St., Divisoria
Gold jewelries (Chinese) - Ongpin St, Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
Chinese Medicine - Ongpin St. in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila
Pearls and Jewelries- Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan; Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Electronic parts and fixtures - Raon St. (Gonzalo Puyat), Quiapo, Manila
DVDs and CDs (mostly pirated music and movies) -
Eyeglasses/optometrists - Paterno St, Quiapo (parallel to Raon)
Industrial tools and supplies - T. Alonzo St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Cannibalized parts of old houses - Dimasalang St. near Dangwa bus terminal
Car parts and accessories - Banaue St, Quezon city
Printers (invitations for weddings, and other events) - C.M. Recto avenue (mendiola to rizal avenue)
Art supplies - Avenida/Recto area in Sta Cruz, Manila
Cross stitch threads and supplies - Hidalgo St, Quiapo (near the terminal of Balic-balic and Lealtad jeepneys)
Picture frames - Andalucia St. near Central Market and Fugoso St
Flowers - Dangwa area on Dos Castillas St, Sampaloc, Manila (near A.H. Lacson St. (formerly Gov. Forbes))
Camera and Photography stuff (lenses, tripods, filters et al) and photo printing - Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila (the street in front of Quiapo Church)
Pets (some pet shops sell endangered, protected, smuggled thereby banned animals e.g birds, aquarium fishes, turtles, piranhas) - Aranque Market, Sta. Cruz, Manila and Cartimar, Pasay City
Birds, besides Aranque Market and Cartimar, there's the Weekend Bird Tiangge in Hulo, Malabon beside Hulo Market. Saturday and Sunday mornings
Antiques - Ermita, Manila and Bangkal, Makati (Evangelista, Hizon and Apolinario Sts)
Old CDs, memorabilia - marikina shoe expo (Cubao X), Bangkal, Makati
Native handicrafts and artworks - Quinta Market, Quiapo and Dapitan Arcade, both in Manila
Fruits - Carmen Planas St, Divisoria; Carvajal St, Binondo, Manila
Toys - Tabora St, Divisoria
Dry Goods - Ylaya St, Divisoria,
Dental and medical supplies - Avenida from Recto to Bambang, Fugoso St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Baking and Cooking - Asuncion St, Divisoria, Manila
Fabrics/Textiles (muslin, rayon, poplin, polyester, cotton, knit, piña) - Ilaya St in Divisoria, Manila or Kamuning Market in Quezon City
Religious Sculptures - Tayuman St., Sta. Cruz near LRT Tayuman Station
Dentures, retainers, braces and other dental items: San Miguel, Manila at the back of CEU
Seafoods - Aranque Market in Sta. Cruz, and areas called Dampa and Seaside (if you want to buy them in bulk, you can go to Navotas fishport for the traditional "bulongan/bulungan" (whisper) negotiation
Lechon (roast pig) - La Loma District of Quezon City
Bearings and Oil Seals - Masangkay St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Lighting Fixtures, lightbulbs - Soler St., Sta Cruz, Manila
Signs and signboards - Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City
Trophies, plaques, medals - V. Mapa St corner Magsaysay Boulevard (near SM Centerpoint) in San Juan; also Raon in Quiapo, Manila
Kris, Knives, swords, Muslim wares - the sidewalks of Quiapo, Manila
Herbal medicines, folk cures, abortifacients (euphemistically called pamparegla)- Quiapo near the church
Uniforms (made-to-order Military Uniforms, belts, bags and combat boots for
CMT/ROTC, NBA basketball clubs and other sports) - Quezon Boulevard northbound in Quiapo and a stretch of Recto from Avenida to Mendiola)
Books, Textbooks and pocketbooks (used/second hand) - CM. Recto Avenue in the University Belt (just before the MMDA cleared the sidewalks)
Motorcycles, motorbikes, bikes, mopeds, scooters, vespa - the so-called Motorcycle City on 10th Avenue near Monumento in Caloocan City
Metal works and stainless steel equipment like rotisserie - MacArthur Highway, Valenzuela City (similar place in Cavite)
Ukay-ukay (used clothes, shoes, bags) - Bambang St. Sta. Cruz, Manila near LRT Bambang station
Vegetables at "Bagsakan" price - Balintawak Market (bagsak presyo)
Itlog na Maalat (salted eggs), Balut (aborted duck embryos) and alfombra footwear - Pateros
Kakanin (Filipino desserts e.g. bibingka, sapin-sapin and pichi-pichi) - Bonifacio St., Cainta (Rizal) near Cainta Church
Mobility Aids (wheelchairs, crutches and walkers) - Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Cainta, Rizal
Diplomas (any school), certificates, fake IDs - "Recto University," Quiapo, Manila
Snake Oil, the effervescent cure all - C.M. Recto, just look for curious people in groups and loud voices reciting an endless litany of diseases that can be cured by their "panacea" :P
This list is not exhaustive, other people may have similar "secret shopping places" unknown to Tutubi
There are various factory outlet stores scattered in Metro Manila but there's still nothing similar to Hong Kong's Citygate Outlets where branded items are sold at big discounts. The Designer Depot at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Osmena Highway falls short of the mark (besides being in a dangerous place to be stuck in traffic)
Markets, Tiangge, Bazaars et al
Divisoria: comparable to Bangkok's Chatuchak market, where you can buy anything under the sun at dirt cheap prices. There's also 168 Mall, something like Divisoria with air-conditioner. Other malls include Tutuban Center, Meisic Mall and Divisoria Mall. It can be reached via jeepneys on Taft Avenue (where the LRT runs) with signboard Divisoria. From Cubao, better take the LRT 2, get off at Recto station then transfer to jeepneys with Divisoria signboards. (Note: you can't ride the LRT if you have too much baggage with you)
How to get to Divisoria
Baclaran Market
located near the popular Redemptorist Church and accessible via LRT Baclaran station. If you're coming from Quezon City, you can take the MRT, get off at the last station (Taft Avenue) then transfer to the LRT or board a Baclaran-bound jeepney.
Aranque Market
C.M. Recto St, Sta. Cruz, Manila
How to get there: walking distance from LRT 2 Recto station or LRT Doroteo Jose station. Jeepneys going to Divisoria from Cubao will take you there or those jeepneys plying Rizal Avenue (just alight on Recto corner Rizal Avenue (Avenida))
Kamuning Market:
Kamuning St., Quezon City (near Delgado Hospital)
How to get there: Take the MRT and alight at GMA-Kamuning Station. Walk a little towards Kamuning (or Kamias Street) then ride a jeepney with Quiapo signboard and request the driver to drop you off the the market. Fare is just the minimum. Alternatively, jeepneys in Quiapo with signboard Project 2-3 pass by the place.
Dangwa Flower Market
Stretch of Dos Castillas St from Dimasalang, Laong-laan and Dapitan St, Sampaloc, Manila
Flowers (e.g. mums, gerberas, roses, anthuriums, tulips, et al) for any occasion at wholesale prices. It's named after the nearby transport terminal where buses from Baguio City arrive with loads of fresh flowers from the city of pines.
How to get there: From Quiapo, board jeepneys with signboard Dimasalang or Dapitan and drop off when you see the flower shops after crossing Gov. Forbes (now A.H. Lacson). Alternatives: from LRT Tayuman station, ride jeepneys going to Lardizabal and request the driver to drop you there. Conversely, from LRT 2 Pureza station, walk towards Lardizabal St and board jeepneys going to Tayuman. (for those with cars, only street parking is available so park at your own risk)
Bangkal Vintage Shopping
Evangelista, Apolinario and Hizon Streets, Bangkal, Makati
How to get there: Board jeepneys with signboard Evangelista on Taft Avenue from LRT Libertad station. You may also take the MRT get off at Magallanes station then flag a taxi to take you there.
Dapitan Arcade
Address: Dapitan St, between Mayon and Kanlaon Streets, the border of Manila and Quezon City
How to get there: From Quiapo, board a jeepney with Dapitan signboard and drop off near the arcade.
For those tourists looking for regional specialties like food, pasalubong and almost anything under the sun: Manila's Weekend Markets
Sidcor-Centris Sunday Market
Eton Centris Walk
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Every Sunday, 6am to 12nn
Remarks: One of Tutubi's favorite food trip destinations
How to get there: walking distance from MRT Quezon Avenue station
Legazpi Sunday Market
Legazpi Village, San Lorenzo Village
Every Sunday 9am to 4pm
How to get there: From LRT Gil Puyat Station, board bus with Ayala/Rustans on the signboard and alight on Ayala Avenue corner Rufino (formerly HerreraSt., where the conductor will shout Rufino, PBCOM, Paseo). Walk back towards Rufino, turn left and continue walking until you the market at the corner of Legaspi and Herrera St.
Salcedo Weekend Market (Saturday)
Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Every Saturday 7am to 2pm
How to get there: From MRT Gil Puyat station, board a jeepney going to LRT/Taft or Washington then alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas/Malugay. Cross Buendia and walk along Tordesillas St until you see the park with stalls. Alternatively, from LRT Buendia station, board a jeepney with signboard Guadalupe and alight at the corner of Buendia and Tordesillas [landmarks: Ministop, Philtrust Bank and Jollibee]. From that corner, Velasquez Park is just about 200 meters away.
Alabang Organic Market
Alabang, Muntinlupa
Location: Narra Parking lot in front of Corte de las Palmas
Saturday, 6am to 12nn
Northeast Greenhills Weekend Market,
Connecticut St., Greenhills, San Juan
Located near Greenhills Shopping Center
Sunday, 7am to 12nn
Banchetto Ortigas
Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Mostly food and dry goods catering to call center employees
Saturday, 2:30 am to 1 pm
Cuenca Community Bazaar
Cuenca Community Center, Ayala-Alabang
Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 9pm
(until Dec. 21, 2008)
(Last month, there was Pick Manila weekend market at Celadon Residences near SM San Lazaro (that shopping mall that erased the historic San Lazaro racetrack, reason why Tutubi hates you, SM San Lazaro). Tutubi also heard of the Malatapay Wednesday Market in Zamboanguita near Dumaguete. Will try to check it out should he return there)
The Usual Shopping Malls:
The Philippines' malls are like mini-cities by themselves with supermarkets, department stores, lots of mall spaces for lease, movie cinemas, game arcades, gardens, restaurants, food courts and others you don't normally find in malls of other countries. They're open all throughout the year from 10am to 9pm on Monday to Thursday and 10am to 10pm from Friday to Sunday. Malls are usually closed during Holy Week particularly Holy Thursday and Good Friday (there are exceptions though like SM City Baguio). SM malls open at 12nn on All Saints Day.
SM, the largest mall operator has malls in almost every major city of the Philippines with SM Mall of Asia the largest of them all fronting the historic Manila Bay.
Robinsons also operate malls with numerous ones in the National Capital Region and a few locations outside the metropolis.
Ayala malls include Glorietta 1-5 and Greenbelt 1-5, in Makati, Trinoma in Quezon City and Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa. There also is Ayala Center in Cebu City. Glorietta and Greenbelt are walking distance from MRT Ayala station while Alabang Town Center needs a bus ride to Alabang, south of Makati.
Upscale malls with branded items are Greenbelt 4 and 5 in Makati, Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Rustans malls in various locations in Metro Manila.
Market! Market!
Bonifacio Global City
How to get there: From MRT Guadalupe station, board a jeepney with Market! on the signboard. Alternately, from MRT Ayala station (EDSA corner Ayala Avenue), there are buses servicing The Fort whose routes end at Market!Market!
Greenhills Shopping Center
City of San Juan
How to get there: From MRT Ortigas Avenue station, walk towards Robinsons Galleria then board a jeep going to San Juan. Buses of G Liner and RRCG servicing Cainta to Quiapo, Manila route pass by the place.
HK Sun Plaza
Macapagal Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
mostly Hong Kong style shopping of made in china products. reported to be suppliers of merchants of 168 Mall, Baclaran and Divisoria
Tiendesitas on Ortigas Avenue corner C5 inside Frontera Verde.
Other malls are Metropolis in Alabang, Starmall on EDSA Mandaluyong
Isn't the Philippines a real shopping mecca?
Credit Cards and Shopping Money:
Public markets are mostly cash-only except some establishments accepting credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) or debit card POS payments (BancNet, BDO, BPI and Landbank).
Chinese nationals holding debit cards of China Union Pay (CUP) can withdraw cash from BancNet ATMs or pay for their goods using Point-of-Sale systems (POS) at SM groceries, supermarkets and other accredited establishments.
ATMs (cash machines) are conveniently located inside malls or just the periphery. Banco de Oro ATMs are all over SM as well as Chinabank due to their connection with the owner while BPI ATMs are scattered in Ayala-owned malls of Glorietta, Greenbelt and Trinoma.
There are also some establishments, including SM supermarket and department stores, accepting payments by swiping ATM cards (debit cards) at Point-of-Sale terminals (POS) using BPI EPS, Landbank, BDO and all BancNet member banks.
The Art of Haggling
Haggling is an art practiced by Filipinos in markets, bazaars and tiangge, where the posted or advertised prices can be brought down to a small percentage of the price. You can always ask for discounts and bargains by polite request or banter, at times starting at half the price and working from there until both of you agree at the price.
For foreigners, vendors will try to quote a price much higher than what locals get. The trick is to let a local do the negotiations, particularly someone who knows a little about the language, if not a local of the place. This is just one of the reasons why Tutubi tries to learn the local language instead of using Tagalog, he wants to get items at a local, not a touristy, price. In case you have no companion, wait until a local inquires about the price of the merchandise then buy at the same price the local got it.
Tutubi is not an expert on this but he also knows how to haggle, particularly when he senses the price needs to be lowered. If in case haggling can only bring a minimal discount or if he's feeling charitable, he won't haggle for a lower price, he just thinks he's actually helping the vendor earn a decent living rather than give dole-outs to indolent people around town.
Safety and Security:
Some of the areas mentioned, e.g. Divisoria and Baclaran, are littered with pickpockets, thieves, snatchers (cellphones usually) and other petty criminals. Some nooks and crannies are also particularly considered not safe at night. As general rules, use common sense, have a companion if possible, be on your guard always, dress down, don't make yourself an attractive target for crooks and you'll be fine.
It's due to these concerns plus the incovenient, non-airconditioned spaces that people with money to burn prefer to shop in Manila's gigantic shopping malls, at least three of them included in the ten largest malls in the world - SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM City North EDSA - so much for a third world country that can lay claim to the title Mall Capital of Asia, if not of the world.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Buying pirated DVDs and CDs is one of the causes of the ailing movie and music industries. Piracy is now also linked to terrorism where terrorists use funds to finance their death-mongering ways in the name of religion.
Develop an eye for authentic stuff to avoid getting duped e.g. how would you know if pearls are real? Tutubi found this out in Greenhills from a stall attendant: real pearls when scratched can be buffed and returned to it's smooth sparkling beauty; synthetic pearls scratches can't be removed easily.
Buying endangered wildlife encourages smuggling and poaching, driving some of the animals to the brink of extinction. Please don't buy them. You may also get in trouble with the law, particularly the Protected Animals and Welfare Bureau (PAWB). Animals taken from the wild seldom survive long in captivity and can carry dangerous viruses-- remember SARS, AIDS and bird flu!
Be mindful of excess baggage rates of your airline. Paying for excess baggage charges may be more expensive than buying things at your neighborhood shopping place.
For foreigners, be wary of duties and taxes on returning to your home country. You may have to pay more for customs duties when you arrive at the airport plus some items may not be permitted for entry due to restrictions and quarantine requirements.
Lastly, recommend buying Philippine-made products if price and quality is at par with others. It's good for the economy.
Related Links:
Camera Shops on Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila
168 Mall
Dangwa Cheap Flowers
Labels: Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 10:32 PM,
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The Glorified Tiangge of Tiendesitas
06 September 2008
A brief visit to the mall-like hospital known as Medical City on Ortigas Avenue was followed by lunch at the nearby Tiendesitas, an upscale cluster of huts with specific products, stalls and spaces according to a theme.
It's only Tutubi's second time at the place since it's not his interest to visit "snobbish" places like this, frequented by moneyed people and or tourists/balikbayan compared to the mass appeal of Greenhills Shopping Center, both owned by the same people.
On entering the place and parking his car, he proceeded to the Food Village near the entrance of the road of Frontera Verde, a quick scan of restaurants in front of him locked on to the ginataan ulang (freshwater prawn in coconut milk) with kamias (an endemic sour fruit) and laing (taro leaves in coconut milk, a Bicolano specialty).
Picture of the open-air village taken with Tutubi's new iPhone 3G
Ginataang Ulang (freshwater prawn in coconut milk) at P195 from Kinuron, quite expensive but worth it since it's not a usual fare in other Filipino restaurants. (iPhone 3G image quality at "macro mode" is not something to rave about
Before leaving the place, Tutubi intended to take photos of the facade and other villages but his trusty old Canon Ixus 30 point and shoot cam failed him by losing its battery juice. Being unplanned, he didn't bring his Nikon D80 :(
Despite Tutubi's comment on high prices, Tiendesitas, is a great place for foreign tourists and ex-pats to discover the best of the Philippines under one roof and offer safe and clean place to stroll even window shopping.
Information on Tiendesitas:
Dubbed the best Tiangge in Metro Manila is probably true to most people if you can stand the usually higher prices offered here, Tiendesitas is a cluster of large huts or open-air bahay kubo with evaporative condensing airconditioners.
Owned by the same people behind the Greenhills Shopping Center, Tiendesitas caters to the higher income bracket people due to the higher prices of goods but beter facilities and less people.
Villages inside Tiendesitas:
Furnishings Village: home furnitures, sofas, beds, of Filipino or Asian influences
Fashion Village: bags, shoes, t-shirts, mainly ladies' shopping similar to Grenhills
Delicacies Village: pasalubong from all over the Philippines under one roof
Food Village: restaurants offering various regional culinary specialties
Central Plaza: a performing stage for concerts surrounded with tables and chairs
People's Village: probably a lounge area, nothing to be found
Novelty Village: necklaces, trinkets, kakikayan et al
Antique Village: for lovers of old stuff even old coins and paper bills
Garden Village: for "green thumbs" and landscaping people
Pet Village: dogs, cats, birds, pet foods and other unusual pets for sale
Near Tiendesitas is the Ark of Avilon, an interactive zoo from the same owners of Avilon Zoo in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal. (Entrance: P250.00)
If you're looking for other food trips and tiangge with less cash, better visit Salcedo Weekend Market in Makati on Saturday mornings, Legazpi market also in Makati, Lung Center Market on Sunday mornings, and Banchetto in Ortigas Center.
How to get to Tiendesitas, Pasig City:
Commute: There are jeepneys plying Cubao and Pasig City that pass by the place. From Manila and Sta. Mesa, G-Liner and RRCG buses pass by Ortigas Avenue but you need to walk towards Tiendesitas. Same route as jeepneys plying Pasig/Tanay (Rizal).
There are free shuttle rides from Greenhills Shopping Center, but Tutubi still needs to verify the schedule.
Driving Directions to Tiendesitas:
From Quezon City via C5, Tiendesitas is just near the corner of C5 and Ortigas Avenue, a palce called by commuters as IPI, but the entrance is the road shared by SM Hypermarket (Supercenter).
From QC via EDSA, take left on Ortigas Avenue via the flyover, drive straight until you see the Frontera Verde on your right and just on the takeoff of the flyover over C5. Tiendesitas is about 200 meters from there.
It's only Tutubi's second time at the place since it's not his interest to visit "snobbish" places like this, frequented by moneyed people and or tourists/balikbayan compared to the mass appeal of Greenhills Shopping Center, both owned by the same people.
On entering the place and parking his car, he proceeded to the Food Village near the entrance of the road of Frontera Verde, a quick scan of restaurants in front of him locked on to the ginataan ulang (freshwater prawn in coconut milk) with kamias (an endemic sour fruit) and laing (taro leaves in coconut milk, a Bicolano specialty).
Picture of the open-air village taken with Tutubi's new iPhone 3G
Ginataang Ulang (freshwater prawn in coconut milk) at P195 from Kinuron, quite expensive but worth it since it's not a usual fare in other Filipino restaurants. (iPhone 3G image quality at "macro mode" is not something to rave aboutBefore leaving the place, Tutubi intended to take photos of the facade and other villages but his trusty old Canon Ixus 30 point and shoot cam failed him by losing its battery juice. Being unplanned, he didn't bring his Nikon D80 :(
Despite Tutubi's comment on high prices, Tiendesitas, is a great place for foreign tourists and ex-pats to discover the best of the Philippines under one roof and offer safe and clean place to stroll even window shopping.
Information on Tiendesitas:
Dubbed the best Tiangge in Metro Manila is probably true to most people if you can stand the usually higher prices offered here, Tiendesitas is a cluster of large huts or open-air bahay kubo with evaporative condensing airconditioners.
Owned by the same people behind the Greenhills Shopping Center, Tiendesitas caters to the higher income bracket people due to the higher prices of goods but beter facilities and less people.
Villages inside Tiendesitas:
Furnishings Village: home furnitures, sofas, beds, of Filipino or Asian influences
Fashion Village: bags, shoes, t-shirts, mainly ladies' shopping similar to Grenhills
Delicacies Village: pasalubong from all over the Philippines under one roof
Food Village: restaurants offering various regional culinary specialties
Central Plaza: a performing stage for concerts surrounded with tables and chairs
People's Village: probably a lounge area, nothing to be found
Novelty Village: necklaces, trinkets, kakikayan et al
Antique Village: for lovers of old stuff even old coins and paper bills
Garden Village: for "green thumbs" and landscaping people
Pet Village: dogs, cats, birds, pet foods and other unusual pets for sale
Near Tiendesitas is the Ark of Avilon, an interactive zoo from the same owners of Avilon Zoo in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal. (Entrance: P250.00)
If you're looking for other food trips and tiangge with less cash, better visit Salcedo Weekend Market in Makati on Saturday mornings, Legazpi market also in Makati, Lung Center Market on Sunday mornings, and Banchetto in Ortigas Center.
How to get to Tiendesitas, Pasig City:
Commute: There are jeepneys plying Cubao and Pasig City that pass by the place. From Manila and Sta. Mesa, G-Liner and RRCG buses pass by Ortigas Avenue but you need to walk towards Tiendesitas. Same route as jeepneys plying Pasig/Tanay (Rizal).
There are free shuttle rides from Greenhills Shopping Center, but Tutubi still needs to verify the schedule.
Driving Directions to Tiendesitas:
From Quezon City via C5, Tiendesitas is just near the corner of C5 and Ortigas Avenue, a palce called by commuters as IPI, but the entrance is the road shared by SM Hypermarket (Supercenter).
From QC via EDSA, take left on Ortigas Avenue via the flyover, drive straight until you see the Frontera Verde on your right and just on the takeoff of the flyover over C5. Tiendesitas is about 200 meters from there.
Labels: Metro Manila, Pasig City, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:59 PM,
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Art in the Park and Salcedo Weekend Market in Makati
22 November 2007
For quite some time, this weekend market at Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village Makati City was a secret, known only to the rich people and citizens of the posh Salcedo Village, where food from an eclectic mix of sources, sometimes hard to find, made by the residents themselves, are peddled.
Working near the park, Tutubi frequents this place when he gets the chance to be in Makati on a Saturday morning but never got to take pictures. This time's different since he was able to hit two birds with one click: Art in the Park and the Salcedo Weekend Market. Tutubi made a quick visit to the "tiangge" to buy lunch and some suman and budbud kabog (a Dumaguete "pasalubong" similar to suman but made of millet seeds)
SALCEDO WEEKEND MARKET
the dela Rosa's Deli Challenge requires eating a giant burger, about 8 inches in diameter, for the treat to be free. there were no takers of it so Tutubi wasn't able to take a snapshot
Suman Biko from a gourmet suman vendor. recommend their budbud kabog from Dumaguete for P25 each (quite pricey but worth it)
The Salcedo Weekend Market is held every Saturday from 7am to 2pm (or later). There you'll see Ineng's Special Barbeque, Cebu Lechon, Salcedo Chicken Inasal, DGM Organic Farm produce, Inihaw ni Ogie, an array of French cuisine prepared by a French resident of the place, Italian pizza made by an Italian, Budbud Kabog (gourmet suman from Dumaguete), burger challenge, fresh flowers, buro from Pampanga, and whole lot more.
ART IN THE PARK
Inspired by the weekly Art Fair at The Rocks in Sydney, Australia, Art in the Park occupies the Velasquez Park's children's playground and features affordable art works with P20000 as the most expensive. It's a project of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines.
Orange Gallery
Galleries of FEATI and UST students
Sample artworks from Nineveh Art Space manned by the affable Louie Sevilla
Participating Galleries: Art for Space, Art Inday, Artwalk Gallery, Blanc Art Space, Boston Art Gallery, Galeria de las Islas, Hiraya Gallery, L’Arc en Ciel, Nineveh Art Space, One Workshop, Silverlens Gallery and Tin-Aw/Slash Art,Ilustrador ng Kabataan, KASIBULAN, and Kulay Marikina. Students from the the University of Sto. Tomas, DLS-College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, and FEATI.
Salcedo Weekend Market at Velasquez Park taken by the flying Tutubi
How to get to Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati
Commute: From MRT Buendia, board the Washington or LRT/Taft jeepney then alight at the corner of Buendia and Malugay. Cross Buendia then walk along Tordesillas St where the park is located. (Riding the Bel-air jeepneys at the corner of Washington and Buendia or the Guadalupe-bound jeepneys at LRT/Buendia will also get your there)
Driving directions to Salcedo Village by car from EDSA Guadalupe, turn right Buendia (Gil Puyat), then left Paseo de Roxas, cross Makati Avenue (Mandarin Oriental Hotel) then right turn Villar St (Citibank Building). Turn left at the end of Villar St to reach L.P. Leviste (one-way street) where the weekend market is also located. (note there are too many parked vehicles there causing heavy traffic since the place really became popular now)
From LRT/Taft Avenue, traverse Gil Puyat St then right turn at Tordesillas St (Ministop/Philtrust Bank). Salcedo park is just a few meters from by Makati Sports Club and is hard to miss due to the noticeable fiesta atmosphere.
Working near the park, Tutubi frequents this place when he gets the chance to be in Makati on a Saturday morning but never got to take pictures. This time's different since he was able to hit two birds with one click: Art in the Park and the Salcedo Weekend Market. Tutubi made a quick visit to the "tiangge" to buy lunch and some suman and budbud kabog (a Dumaguete "pasalubong" similar to suman but made of millet seeds)
SALCEDO WEEKEND MARKET
the dela Rosa's Deli Challenge requires eating a giant burger, about 8 inches in diameter, for the treat to be free. there were no takers of it so Tutubi wasn't able to take a snapshot
Suman Biko from a gourmet suman vendor. recommend their budbud kabog from Dumaguete for P25 each (quite pricey but worth it)The Salcedo Weekend Market is held every Saturday from 7am to 2pm (or later). There you'll see Ineng's Special Barbeque, Cebu Lechon, Salcedo Chicken Inasal, DGM Organic Farm produce, Inihaw ni Ogie, an array of French cuisine prepared by a French resident of the place, Italian pizza made by an Italian, Budbud Kabog (gourmet suman from Dumaguete), burger challenge, fresh flowers, buro from Pampanga, and whole lot more.
ART IN THE PARK
Inspired by the weekly Art Fair at The Rocks in Sydney, Australia, Art in the Park occupies the Velasquez Park's children's playground and features affordable art works with P20000 as the most expensive. It's a project of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines.
Orange Gallery
Galleries of FEATI and UST students
Sample artworks from Nineveh Art Space manned by the affable Louie Sevilla Participating Galleries: Art for Space, Art Inday, Artwalk Gallery, Blanc Art Space, Boston Art Gallery, Galeria de las Islas, Hiraya Gallery, L’Arc en Ciel, Nineveh Art Space, One Workshop, Silverlens Gallery and Tin-Aw/Slash Art,Ilustrador ng Kabataan, KASIBULAN, and Kulay Marikina. Students from the the University of Sto. Tomas, DLS-College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, and FEATI.
Salcedo Weekend Market at Velasquez Park taken by the flying TutubiHow to get to Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati
Commute: From MRT Buendia, board the Washington or LRT/Taft jeepney then alight at the corner of Buendia and Malugay. Cross Buendia then walk along Tordesillas St where the park is located. (Riding the Bel-air jeepneys at the corner of Washington and Buendia or the Guadalupe-bound jeepneys at LRT/Buendia will also get your there)
Driving directions to Salcedo Village by car from EDSA Guadalupe, turn right Buendia (Gil Puyat), then left Paseo de Roxas, cross Makati Avenue (Mandarin Oriental Hotel) then right turn Villar St (Citibank Building). Turn left at the end of Villar St to reach L.P. Leviste (one-way street) where the weekend market is also located. (note there are too many parked vehicles there causing heavy traffic since the place really became popular now)
From LRT/Taft Avenue, traverse Gil Puyat St then right turn at Tordesillas St (Ministop/Philtrust Bank). Salcedo park is just a few meters from by Makati Sports Club and is hard to miss due to the noticeable fiesta atmosphere.
Labels: Art, Makati, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 10:20 PM,
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How to Get to 168 Mall in Divisoria, Binondo, Manila
19 May 2007
168 Mall is a popular ladies mall near the sprawling budget shopping paradise of Divisoria. It's there where you can buys cheap bags, shoes, accessories, dresses, makeup kits, shirts, mp3 players, tools and electronic items at very low prices, most of them are made in China though. Such unbelievably low prices was so controversial that the mall was raided at least twice due to allegations of smuggling.
You may practice your haggling or bargaining skills here to get a lower price
One example is when Tutubi bought a genuine unbranded leather jacket for my 30GB iPod video for P300. An original one costs somewhere around P1800.
This is a cash-only mall, much like Divisoria, so have cash on hand. There are ATMs at the 3rd floor: Security Bank, BDO, BPI and Chinabank.
On the 3rd floor also is the food court where several stalls can be found. Not so usual finds there is Chariyas Authentic Thai Kitchen (a generous serving of Tom Yum costs P75), Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian Food Garden (veggie spaghetti is P40), Aldrinos Bibingka Espesyal, Lola Ines Halo-halo and Pancit Luglug, Namit Gid (Ilonggo) and Lami Gyud (Cebuano)
A question often asked of Tutubi is the reason why Chinese love the number 168. Asked around from Chinese friends, one said that 168 in Chinese means "road to prosperity" or "continue being prosperous." The number 8 sounds similar to the word which means "wealth," "fortune," or "prosper." Another Chinese friend also said "In Cantonese, 168 is “Yat-Luk-Pat” sounding like “Yat-Low-Fat” that's translated as 'road to luck'"
another trivia: Arrticle 168 of the Revised Penal Code deals with illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and other instruments of credit, used by people to be on the "road to luck" or prison :P
How to get to 168 Mall, Binondo, Manila:
Commute to 168 Mall:
take the LRT and get off at Doroteo Jose station (alternatively, take LRT 2 and get off at the last station Recto/Arranque), take a jeep bound for Divisoria then alight in front of Tutuban Mall. 168 Mall is accessible by a narrow alley across C.M. Recto (Azcarraga).
Commuting from Taft Avenue, Manila to Divisoria is a breeze, just take the Divisoria-bound jeepneys or FX, and walk towards Tutuban Mall and 168 Mall.
The Divisoria-Gastambide jeep, with terminal at the corner of Espana and Lerma/Morayta (Nicanor Reyes) passes near the Caltex station near 168 Shopping Mall
Directions to 168 Mall from Quezon City, take Rizal Avenue (Avenida) then Abad Santos (near Chinese Cemetery). After crossing C.M. Recto avenue, turn right at Caltex at the corner of Soler and Reina Regente then right again Felipe II street (opposite corner is Meisic Mall)
By car from Taft Avenue/Lawton, take Jones Bridge going to Binondo passing through Paredes, and Binondo church. Right turn at the end of Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz (Reina Regente)then left turn Felipe II street (Caltex and Meisic Mall)
Parking is scarce there, you may consider parking in front of Meisic Mall and nearby places
Related post:
How to get to Divisoria
Labels: Malls, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 8:08 AM,
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How to Get to Dangwa Manila Flower Market: Cheap Flowers on Valentines Day
07 February 2006
Valentines day is just a week away. Thinking of going to Dangwa to buy the cheapest flowers on Valentines day? For denizens of Manila, that'd be easy
Dangwa originally refers to the Dangwa Bus company in Manila who regularly unloads fresh flowers from Baguio City. The area around the bus terminal came to be known as Dangwa and turned into a flowers market particularly on Dos Castillas St. in Sampaloc Manila.
Best time to go to Dangwa is Thursday midnight for the bagsakan price when buses loaded with flowers from Baguio arrive and snapped up by wholesalers at bargain prices.
Beware of heavy traffic on the night of February 13 (Valentines Eve) and other occasions when prices of flowers skyrocket e.g. All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Immaculate Conception, Holy Week et al
About Valentines Day in the Philippines: Too Commercialized! Flowers, Chocolates and other stuff double prices particularly red roses.
Other common flowers available there besides red roses are anthurium, mums, gerberas, not including roses of various colors, natural or otherwise.
How to get to Dangwa, Manila Flower Market:
Map of Dangwa, Manila Flower Market
Commute: From Quiapo, take a jeepney bound for Dapitan or Dimasalang. Alight at the corner of Dos Castillas St (the one after Lacson (Gov. Forbes)
From MRT, transfer to the LRT at EDSA/Taft station then get off at the LRT Tayuman Station. Board a jeepney bound for Lardizabal, alight at the corner of Dimasalang or Dapitan St and walk to the right towards Dos Castillas St.
Commuting from Marikina via LRT 2, get off at Pureza station, walk towards Vicente Cruz St then board the Tayuman-bound jeepneys. Alight near Dangwa bus terminal on A.H. Lacson (formerly Gov. Forbes).
Directions By private car from Makati, take Osmena Highway (South Super Highway), right Quirino Avenue then Nagtahan (now Mabini Bridge). Go straight Lacson St (Gov Forbes) then turn right on Dapitan St (the wide intersection after Espana and UST). Parking is a problem there so park anywhere at your own risk.
Dangwa originally refers to the Dangwa Bus company in Manila who regularly unloads fresh flowers from Baguio City. The area around the bus terminal came to be known as Dangwa and turned into a flowers market particularly on Dos Castillas St. in Sampaloc Manila.
Best time to go to Dangwa is Thursday midnight for the bagsakan price when buses loaded with flowers from Baguio arrive and snapped up by wholesalers at bargain prices.
Beware of heavy traffic on the night of February 13 (Valentines Eve) and other occasions when prices of flowers skyrocket e.g. All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Immaculate Conception, Holy Week et al
About Valentines Day in the Philippines: Too Commercialized! Flowers, Chocolates and other stuff double prices particularly red roses.
Other common flowers available there besides red roses are anthurium, mums, gerberas, not including roses of various colors, natural or otherwise.
How to get to Dangwa, Manila Flower Market:
Commute: From Quiapo, take a jeepney bound for Dapitan or Dimasalang. Alight at the corner of Dos Castillas St (the one after Lacson (Gov. Forbes)
From MRT, transfer to the LRT at EDSA/Taft station then get off at the LRT Tayuman Station. Board a jeepney bound for Lardizabal, alight at the corner of Dimasalang or Dapitan St and walk to the right towards Dos Castillas St.
Commuting from Marikina via LRT 2, get off at Pureza station, walk towards Vicente Cruz St then board the Tayuman-bound jeepneys. Alight near Dangwa bus terminal on A.H. Lacson (formerly Gov. Forbes).
Directions By private car from Makati, take Osmena Highway (South Super Highway), right Quirino Avenue then Nagtahan (now Mabini Bridge). Go straight Lacson St (Gov Forbes) then turn right on Dapitan St (the wide intersection after Espana and UST). Parking is a problem there so park anywhere at your own risk.
Labels: Manila, Metro Manila, Shopping
posted by GingGoy @ 9:00 PM,
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