Paranaque Shopping

The Fiesta Shopping Mall is the center for duty-free shopping in the Philippines. Whenever my husband or eldest daughter arrive from a business trip, we pass by the Fiesta Shopping Mall, which is only a few minutes drive from the airport. There are a lot of promos/freebies by the different concessionaires.

Credit cards and local currency are honored as payment to bought items.

What to buy: We usually buy perfumes, shoes, clothes, imported grocery items, and chocolates, of course. Occasionaly, we buy major or mini appliances.

Lately, however, we were not that eager to go there after business trips because in our previous visit, we noticed that the merchandise mix and fashion styles are not up to the latest trends.

What to pay: It really depends on what you intend to buy. Fiesta Shopping Mall's prices are expectedly much lower than in other Malls or other duty-free shops.It is their mission objective to offer lower prices.

Baclaran is one of the best known bargain centers in the country. Wholesalers and retail shoppers of garments, accessories, bags & footwear, etc. go to the flea market on the eve or during the Novena days (Wednesdays) for great shopping deals. Once, I tried weaving through the flea market after the mass at Redemptorist Church. It was exciting because of the cheap items, but at the same time it was quite scary because there were so many people, it made me suspicious of everyone who bumped my bag or body.

I discovered the airconditioned stalls in the buildings near the church only two years ago. My cousin who owns two boutiques in the Visayas regularly went to Baclaran to buy garments and accessories on wholesale basis. I bought some pants and blouses through her so I could have bigger savings than if I bought them on retail basis. But if you don't know anyone who is a wholesaler, you can still find good buys at the Dry Goods Market. It is better to buy from stalls in buildings than the flea market because you can ask them to issue receipts, and show them if/when you decide to return the goods you bought, that is, if you find some defect when you fit it at home. (Most stalls have only improvised fitting curtains)

What to buy: pants, blouses, t-shirts, accessories, school uniforms, and yes...even formal wear!

What to pay: You'll be happy to know your P500 can already buy you 2-3 items, so much more if you set aside P1,000 for shopping.

4 more images

SM Supermalls is the largest chain of shopping malls in the Philippines, and is the acknowledged trendsetter and innovator in the shopping center, leisure and entertainment scene in the country. Currently, SM Supermalls, has 29 malls located in strategic locations all over the country. This is the Philippine Version of Macy's and it caters to the middle (upper B, C, D Markets). The SM Shoemart Brand started by the Filipino Taipan Henry Sy in the 1960's in Escolta in Quiapo District in Manila (i've been to it's origina store there in my childhood since I was from nearby tondo area before we relocated to Paranaque).

This Branch is located in Bicutan, Paranaque City.

What to buy: since it is bigger than a strip mall, basically it has almost everything like food stuffs, restaurants, groceries, magazine stands, beauty parlors, retail establishments, live entertainment (during sundays) and a lot more

What to pay: depends on your budget.

4 more images

the Fiesta Mall in the Largest Duty Free Shopping Mall in the philippines and is owned by the government. It has a wide selection of foreign and local stuffs (unfortunately, it doesn't measure up to other duty free shops in the region)

Caveat: You Have to Be A foreign tourist w/ passport, or local who returned abroad from a trip, and OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker), or a "Balikbayan" (filipino expatriate) to be able to shop here and for foreigners and balikbayans and OFW's, the limit is $ 2,000 and for locals, the limit is S 1,000.

You are given up to 2 days after arrival to shop here (a weird thought since in other countries, you can shop duty free anytime as long as you present your passports to the counters)

it has a modest food court for shoppers (but i suggest to go to La Copa Restaurant which is nearby for the food fix).

What to buy: for OFW's, Locals and Balikbayans, Pasalubong (gifts) for the whole village (pun intended), for foreigners, Liqours, Cigarettes, Perfumeries, and other stuff.

What to pay: you can maxx out your credit card

Located just a 100 meter away from NAIA 1 terminal, all incoming passengers from international flight can come and shop at Duty Free Philippines. Shopper is allowed within 2 days upon arrival to visit Duty-Free and shop up to $1000.

Products include perfume, chocolates, wines and spirits, cigars, clothes, bags, electronics, sporting equipment and many other.

Food court is available at the ground floor to cater to customers.

Foreing exchange and ATM counters are also available.

What to buy: Perfumes, cigarettes, wines and spirit.

What to pay: $1000

2 more images

There are 2 SM malls in Paranaque. SM City Bicutan and SM City Sucat.

SM City Bicutan is located at Bicutan Exit, South Expressway.
SM City Sucat is located at Dr. A. Santos Ave.,(formerly Sucat Road)

SM Sucat was formerly called SM Supercenter but because of the construction of an extension building, it is now called SM City Sucat.

Typical to other SM Malls, there are Surplus Shop, Watson, Foodcourt and Banco de Oro inside the mall.