Manila Shopping

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Eng Bee Tin's shop in Binondo is close to becoming a landmark in Manila because of its excellent collection of Chinese delicacies such as hopia and tikoy.

What to buy: Awesome Hopias - MONGO and UBE are the best!

What to pay: 1. A pack of 4 pieces of hopia costs P35, a box of 12 packs is P420. Premium ones (e.g. Ube-Pastillas & Ube-Queso) are more expensive at P39 per pack.
2. A jar of quality Pili nuts is P145.

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Undergoing a series of renovations since 2000, Shangri-La Plaza has transformed itself into the premier urban destination where patrons can enjoy all aspects of the good life. From its newly designed shell, lush landscaping and recently-opened Streetscape (facing Internal Avenue) lined with restaurants and cafes, the exterior of the mall is a mere prelude of the delights awaiting within. Internal Avenue and Shaw Boulevard entries are equipped with 5-meter-high revolving doors, while a glass bridge leads customers directly to the Grand Atrium. Nearly 175,000 square meters in area, Shangri-La Plaza boasts of not only a plethora of retailers, but also spacious hallways for leisurely strolling window shoppers, plenty of streaming natural light and an expansive Grand Atrium.

This posh shopping mall encompasses three department stores (Rustan's Tower, Crossings and Marks & Spencer), name brand boutiques (Armani, Polo and Cerruti, among others), specialty stores, cafes, restaurants, game centers, the William J. Shaw Theater and Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum. Foreign visitors will be pleased to know the mall is located just a minute away from the Edsa Shangri-La hotel and connected to the MRT Shaw Boulevard station by a walkway. Cheap and cheerful dining at the Food Court in the basement.

What to buy: Zones are designed for every kind of shopper, from the young to the connoisseur; each marked with quality choices from a wide selection of brand name stores, food services, hobby stops, and activities that suit the mall's target audience.

This mall includes Rustans, one of the city's more highbrow department stores. The plaza is eight levels of upscale and exclusive shopping experiences. Three department stores grace the complex: Rustan's, Marks & Spencer, and Crossings. There's a Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum if you feel like a little stress relief after a hard day's shopping. Food is plentiful. And designer boutiques like Polo and Armani are sprinkled throughout the mall. While Shangri-La Plaza is more exclusive then most of Manila's shopping malls, there are some bargain stores in the mix.

Shopping at the Shangri-La is always a pleasure because its store mix is perceived to be very high-end, you have less of the crowd than in the neighboring SM Megamall. It doesn't feel claustrophobic at all and shopping is stress-free and enjoyable and it is always good to unwind at the Level 1 Streetscape of the Mall either at Starbucks or at the Hula-Hula Hawaiian Restaurant! come now!

What to pay: A Lot since this is High-End, it's like Central World in Bangkok or Ocean Center in Hongkong.

Open Hours: 10am-9pm daily

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Should you fail to bring those precious souvenir which you just saw across the streets of Mumbai because of lack of luggage space or you just run out of budget from your nightly escapades in Bali and for whatever reasons you failed to bring those pricey souvenirs out of your travels from anywhere in Asia!

Worry no more. Coz chances are you might probably see it here! And it comes in a very affordable price.

Dapitan surplus house is one of the unique stores that gathers factory export souvenir/furniture overruns and other native products from Japan, China, Malaysia, Egypt and some famous local destinations in the Philippines. Here you can have some Egyptian vases, Thai gold buddhas, bamboo mats, Russian dolls, Japanese paper lanterns, local antique chairs and many more. These products can be seen on the various trade fairs in Asia!

What to pay: Colorful local Sinamay Cloth @ 180 pesos
Hanging Santas @ 800 to 1500 pesos
Japanese Paper Dolls @ 150 pesos
Wooden Rattan lanterns @ P2500

This shop has everything a jewelry maker or crafter needs. Just avoid the crowds on Friday due to the continuous masses at the Quiapo church. Or, go early and be there when the store opens at 9:30am.

What to buy: It has rows and rows of a variety of beads (swarovski etc) and pearls to name a few, ceramic items, cute food erasers, hair accessories, what one might need to make rosaries, items for giveaways and more!
Just avoid the manager who doesn't even scoot over even when you're obviously reaching out for an item next to him.

What to pay: Cute food erasers in a pack shaped like burgers, hotdog, pizza (P24.00), round nosed pliers (P130)

Dried mango is the only “souvenir” I buy in Philippine. There are many brand dried mango you can buy, but ONLY buy 7D. In the airport, there are shops sell the brand name “Cebu”, don’t buy it. 7D’s mango is a lot fresher and juicy. You can buy in the most of the big local supermarket.

What to pay: Price is about 110-130P.

It is the largest shopping mall in the Philippines. The 650 shops and 150 service and dining establishments are located on two floors over a massive area occupied by 4 buildings with interconnecting walkways. Walkways from the second floor take you outside for an impressive view of Manila bay, especially if you can catch a sunset. Alas I am visiting in the rainy season and its been too cloudy on a night for a decent sunset photo.

The third building is Hypermarket. Prices are reasonable. Cinema, conference cente and much more. Good to hang out for a day or a dinner plus some shopping.

If ever you are in the Philippines, do buy the packed dried mangoes.

Don' t just buy any pack, you need to buy the 7D dried mango pack. This is the best that I've tried as it is chewy and juicy. It also uses the sugar cane to preserve the fruit rather than processed sugar, so in my mind it is healthier...

What to buy: 7D packed dried mangoes.

What to pay: I first bought my dried mango pack (and was hooked!) at the 7-Eleven store for 131 peso but then I found out that I can get it cheaper at the Greenhills bazaar for 100 peso. I'm sure I can get it cheaper if I speak Tagalog, unfortunately, eventhough I look like a Filipino, I don't speak Tagalog. So, I have to pay 100 peso for a pack of 200g dried mango.

The Greenhills mall gives the shopper to travel the world of High Fashion Jewellery, clothing and handbags at a fraction of the cost.
All the name brand stuff are knock-offs but the quality is pretty good.
Don't go to the Main Prominade mall, walk across the street to the Booth mall.

What to buy: Pearls, they are real and they are Cheap. If you like to haggle, you can get amazing prices.
DON'T be rude, your name (face) will travel faster than lightning, if you treat them with no respect.

What to pay: A 16 inch string of green pearls are $13 Euro ($20 US).
Two strings will be made into a necklace, a pair of earings, and a bracelet for about $30 Euro ($50 US).