By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan
The Philippines’ largest city Manila has got a lot to offer, and definitely, great shopping steals are among those that top the list. Shops that range from high-end to budget mushroom all over the Metro, giving endless options to shopaholics. Below is your no-nonsense guide to shop according to your budget and wants.
Mall of Asia, By: Jek Bacarisas
1. SM Mall of Asia (MoA) – the fourth largest shopping hub in the world according to Forbes’ World’s 10 Largest Shopping Malls, located at the Bay City, Pasay City, Philippines. Occupying a land area of 42 hectares, MoA houses a range of interests; from shopping to entertainment, conventions, and recreational facilities.
Aside from housing a huge number of shopping options, MOA’s top features include the Philippines’ first Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, the biggest in Southeast Asia. The mall also houses the first IMAX theatre in the Philippines which raised the standards for movie viewing in the country.
Rustan's Department Store, for all your...corned beef, By: Christine
2. If you’re up for luxury finds, Rustan’s Department Store is definitely it. Standing proud at 50 years and tagged as the country’s most exclusive retailer, the store remains the sole address for many of the world’s signatures including Tiffany, Mikimoto, Vaucheron Constantin, Chopard, Chanel, to Christian Dior to Estee Lauder.
The supermarket offers all local and Western food options you might crave for…from Pringles to corned beef.
Rustan’s Department Store is nesteled at Shangri-La Plaza, the country’s most popular upscale shopping destination; it is located at EDSA Corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Philippines; at walking distance from the airport.
3. Greenbelt is another of Metro Manila’s up market shopping. The 5-building complex sits in Makati, the metro’s business district.
Each building of Greenbelt has a unique style and feature for shoppers to know where to head for their specific needs. Greenbelt 1 houses small retail shops, electronics and home appliances stores. Greenbelt 2 cradles a long line of fine dining restaurants. Greenbelt 3 hosts exclusive high-end retail stores like Hermes, Kate Spade, Marks & Spencer, among others. Greenbelt 4 is a small but calibrated version of Greenbelt 3, accommodating Louis Vuitton, Prada, Bulgari, and other higher-end stores. Greenbelt 5, on the other hand, features the shops of top-caliber Filipino designers and other imported brands.
The mall is open from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. while coffeeshops are open 24/7.
168 mall in Manila, bargains galore!
4. If you’re into wholesale shopping, 168 Shopping Mall is the place to go to. The mall is conveniently located at Divisoria, about 10-20 minutes from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 2. The mall is the best place for budget shopping; a vast range of commodities from novelty items, ready-to-wear (RTW), bags, toys, and even gadgets.
Concentrated kitsch at Greenhills, By: Paulo Ordoveza
5. One more budget shopping spot in Metro Manila that one can’t miss is the Greenhills Shopping Center; located in the metro’s San Juan City. The mall is highly identified by the locals for good shopping steals. One can get the items at lower cost especially when buying bulk orders.
There are still a good number of stores that one can choose to shop when one sets foot in Metro Manila although the list above depicts the most popular among locals and frequenters of the area. Happy shopping!
