Shop guide to Manila - shopping glossary
Manila has everything available back home
Within and beyond Manila, the array of shops - whether they be in shopping centres, leisure complexes, pavements church fronts, streets and avenues - is truly overwhelming. Filipino souvenirs are popular among tourists because of their uniqueness and inimitable oriental charm. Antique items are especially popular, as well as indigenous pearls and local crafts. Food products like dried fruits, jams and other exotic delicacies are also among the must-haves, along with handmade jewellery, art and clothing.
There are many night shopping spots in Manila, especially when the holiday season is nearing. Night markets are widespread in the city as well as the rest of the metro, offering more bargain sales and interesting products.
Shopping in Manila goes beyond the bounds of big name malls and complexes, as many local vendors sell great value items in flea markets and street stalls. These bargain purchases often include imitation brands of clothing, watches and other 'impulse' products. Knock off shoes are also everywhere, especially in Greenhills near Ortigas. Pirated movies and music are also sold openly despite strict anti-piracy laws, although it is still best to buy from legitimate video and music stores for the best quality. Don't be afraid to haggle in discount stores as this is a widely accepted practice, but remember to be considerate.
There are countless shopping areas and endless choices of products to buy from Manila, which is why a day or two dedicated for shopping is often not enough especially when you want to explore the choices. The following is a list of the best products that you can purchase from the city and beyond, along with the best places to look for them.
Recommended goods to buy in Manila
Antiques: Philippine antiques are famous around the globe. In fact, many well known personalities worldwide collect them. They are great addition to any cultured home, showing how well-travelled the occupant is. Philippine antiques are best found along major avenues like Padre Faura in Manila, which is popular for its religious articles and altarpieces as well as beautiful furniture pieces. Ermita is also a great place to get lost in when searching for antiques. Here you’ll find tasteful recreations and genuine articles dating back from the barter trade era.
SM Mall of Asia has hundreds of stores
Books: Book shops are also plentiful in the city. Old and new books, comics, novels and other publications can be found in different stores around the town. Some of the oldest bookstores can also be found in Manila, even those dating back to the 1930s. Many second hand bookstores can be found around Recto and near Quiapo in Manila, although different branches of mainstream bookstores like Goodwill Bookstore, National Bookstore and Power Books can also be found elsewhere in the city.
Camera equipment: If your camera lets you down in the middle of a sightseeing trip around Manila, there are many stores to supply your battery, film and other equipment needs. Proper branches of well known brands can be found in major shopping malls. Camerahaus is just one of the best stores to visit, located at M. Adriatico Street in Malate (Tel: +63 (0)2 303 2999). Bargain shops are concentrated at areas like Raon and Hidalgo, near Quiapo.
CDs and DVDs: Notorious for piracy, Manila is home to many video stores that sell illegal copies of movies and music on the streets near Quiapo Church, as well as in well known shopping areas like Divisoria.
Clothing: Designer shops are often stationed in major shopping complexes, while the lot of souvenir clothing, bargain clothes and novelty shirts can be found in many street side stores. Considered the shopping Mecca of Manila, Divisoria is the place to go if you want to seriously shop for cheap fashion. The two main malls there are Tutuban and 168, although lines and lines of street shops can be found outside.
Travel tip
When haggling bargain vendors are much more generous about giving discounts if you are buying in bulk.
Computer equipment: Many tourists also enjoy the cheap electronics market in most Asian countries, and the Philippines is no exception. Computer equipment and gadgets are best found in shops like the Octagon Computer Superstore (3/F Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place, Ermita. Tel: +63 (0)2 524 2533), and PC Gilmore (3/F Computer Graphics Bldg., Gilmore Ave. Tel: +63 (0)2 721 3496).
Designer goods: Designer shops – Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Patek Philippe, etc. - can be found in most shopping malls around Manila, particularly in Greenbelt 4 Makati. Local designers have set up shops in the newly opened Greenbelt 5.
Duty Free: Duty free shopping is also available at NAIA's (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Duty Free Fiesta Mall, which sells a wide range of cigar, liquor, chocolates, cosmetics, appliances and electronic goods and other duty free merchandise.
Food: Filipinos are certified foodies, so there’s a wide range of local delicacies and products that you can try out and even can take home with you. Cargajal Street in Binondo is famous for its fresh fruits and chestnuts, while the Arranque Market right on Soler Street offers a great collection of food stalls, mostly selling fresh sea catches.
Gadgets: The best places to get technological gadgets would be Adriatico and Raon Streets, as well as stores like Octagon and PC Gilmore.
Gems: Gems and jewellery items – especially pearls - are also among the most popular must-buys when visiting Manila. The best stores to visit include Gem Stationery Inc, in 613 Condesa St., Binondo, as well as Classy Gem Centrum Jewelry Store (Soler Street, Santa Cruz, Manila, Tel: +63 (0)2 244 7587)
Handicrafts: Filipinos are very skillful with their hands, which is why many handicraft products are sold in Manila. Go to Quiapo, Binondo and of course, the ever popular, Divisoria.
Mobile phones and SIM cards: Almost everyone in Manila owns a mobile phone, which is why you won't run out of places to get brand new and even second hand cell phones. Major shopping malls often have a cyber zone, where popular brands and carriers are concentrated. Among the locally run stores are ABC Store, Cellway, Silicon Valley and NovaCell, which are often found inside shopping complexes. Prepaid SIM cards are also widely available in these stores, as well as from street vendors.
Novelty items: There are plenty of novelty stores selling cutesy items and other interesting articles in shopping malls as well as in street markets like Divisoria. Areas near public transport stations also have their own share of street vendors selling everything from key chains to towels.
Plants: Tropical plants are abundant in the Philippines, and many florists and botanical stores have great supplies of decorative flora to choose from. Dangwa is a popular place to purchase flowers, although if you intend to take seedlings home with you, it is best to go to Manila Seedling Bank in Quezon City, near Agham Road (Tel: +63 (0)2 924 7001).
Silk: Silk and other fabrics indigenous to the Philippines are abundant in Divisoria.
Shoes: When it comes to shoes, there is no place like the neighbouring Marikina City, where age old shoe factories that produce the best leather products and the sturdiest shoes recognised around world. Imelda Marcos has thousands of pairs made by Marikina shoe craftsmen.
Sunglasses: You will find both genuine designer sunglasses and imitations in Manila. There are many local brands that sell their designs in major shopping centres, although knock offs are also abundant in street stalls and other bargain areas.
Swimwear: Like other types of clothing, swimwear can also be purchased almost anywhere, from shopping complexes to bargain markets. There are even cheap swimsuits in large grocery stores.
Tailors: Skilful tailors and haberdashers also line the streets of old Manila. Arthur's Tailoring (Arthurs Building, 2203 Taft Avenue, Malate, Tel: +63 (0)2 583 5343) is an institution, and so is Manila Barong Center (Plaza Nuestra Senora De Guia, 410 Plaza Ferguson, Ermita, Tel: +63 (0)2 525 7543). Shopping malls are also home to a wide range of custom tailor shops where you can have your suits and local 'barongs' made.
Toys: Branches of Toy Kingdom can be found in most shopping centres around the city, while other interesting items can also be bought in bargain markets like Divisoria at almost half the price (although quality may be an issue).
Watches: Watches are also among the most knocked off items in bargain stores, although there are also many legitimate shops in shopping malls.
Wines and Spirits: Premium wines are also available from restaurants as well as designated wine stores around the city. Among the most well known wine stores in town is Wine Depot (147 Yakal Street San Antonio Village, Makati City, Tel: +63 (0)2 844 9133, Open 10:00 – 22:00).
