Table of Contents
From the cool, to the quirky, to the top-of-the-line, Manila’s shopping havens are sure to please even the most competitive of shoppers.
We Filipinos love shopping as much as we love karaoke. Shopping has been ingrained in our culture that it has come to a point that we become so competitive the activity may be considered a sport. Filipinos have the best knowledge on where to look for hard-to-find shopping items—and boy, we sure know our shops and tiangges.
It is not surprising then that Manila’s shopping districts are so vast it brings the smartest shopper down to the novice level. But do not fret, this is precisely why we rounded up a few places along with their specialty products as we get lost in the streets shops of downtown Manila. From cool to quirky, the crazy city seems to have every rare knick-knack you need and a whole lot more.
Raon
Raon is a photography mecca in Santa Cruz district for affordable, top-of-the-line cameras and accessories. Although the area may be a bit shabby for some, Raon is actually somewhat of an open secret to professional photographers where they go for their lenses and tripods, or basically anything for the photography enthusiast. There are even vintage finds you would not find in malls anywhere and point-and-shoot cameras for those who just want to look for a basic everyday camera. The best part? Products here are usually 20–30 percent cheaper than mall prices.
In addition to cameras, Raon also houses shops that sell timepieces. Shops that sell luxury watches can be found here, such as Tissot, Rolex, and Oris, but also affordable ones like Guess, Casio, and Timex. The shops are also generous enough to give their customers longer warranties and discounts for their purchases.
Paterno Street
Dubbed as Manila’s de facto optical center, Paterno Street beside Quiapo Church has your quality eyewear and optical needs lined up in a long stretch of shops along the busy street. What people usually do when scouring the shops along Paterno is to canvass the prices first before making a purchase as some shops offer identical items for different prices. Eye checkups are also given free as promos when you buy eyeglasses or have your lenses replaced. What you can buy for Php5,000 in malls, you can get in Paterno street for around Php3,000.
Wellmanson
Wellmanson in Villalobos Street is where frugal fashionistas head to find high-quality accessories, beads, baubles, and knickknacks that are sold in retail price. At first glance, the store seems out of place in the urban jungle that is Quiapo (there is another Wellmanson in Divisoria), because of Wellmanson’s air-conditioned and neatly designed spot, but the finds here really are unbelievably affordable. With less than Php1,000 to spend in this place, you can get accessories for all the girls in the family.
Divisoria
Divisoria is a shopping district that probably needs no introduction and is practically synonymous to the words “affordable finds.” Clothes, toys, electronics, shoes, food, textile, name it, they have it here. Head to Divisoria Mall and Tutuban Mall, where products such as gift items and clothes can be bought by bulk at a wholesale price. 168 Mall, on the other hand, is famous for selling shoes and fashion items that rival expensive brands but sold in insanely low prices. Nearby Binondo District, where Chinatown is situated, is famous for the delicious and authentic Chinese restaurants when you find yourself famished after all that shopping.
Living Close to Manila’s Shopping Havens
The city of Manila may be known as a shopping mecca for many people, but real estate in the city has taken full throttle as well. Anchor Land Holdings has contributed to this growth, with its residential offerings that are committed to both high quality and to the improvement of lifestyles.
Among Anchor Land’s residential projects that let you live close to downtown Manila shopping havens include Oxford Parksuites, a 39-story condo nestled within Binondo’s Chinese school belt. This development is Anchor Land’s first learning-focused project, which is aimed to promote a conducive learning environment for school-aged children.
Another Anchor Land project in Binondo is Princeview Parksuites, situated in the district’s financial stretch. This condo development is perfect for families and businessmen who want dwellings that are stylish and spacious, but practical while keeping important business establishments, prestigious schools, and even government offices within reach.
Thirty-nine-story Wharton Parksuites is also another notable Anchor Land project in downtown Manila. Situated at the corner of Masangkay and La Torre Streets, this project is designed to foster learning for children, and is equipped with recreational amenities for play like a playground and even a chess area, a library, tutorial rooms, and music rooms.
Finally there’s Anchor Skysuites, Anchor Land’s most luxurious Manila project. Towering at 56 stories, it is the tallest structure in all Chinatowns across the world. Its 346 spacious units were conceptualized to embody the diligence and success of Filipino-Chinese businessmen they have been known and admired for. This high-end structure is not only about style, but substance as well, as it is built to be eco-friendly with ample natural lightning and a design that catches ventilation that significantly reduces energy consumption. Its premium amenities include badminton and basketball courts, a lap pool and a kiddie pool, a billiards room, karaoke rooms, and a whole lot more—nothing less than the Anchor Land standard.
Anchor Land Holdings, Inc., is one of the fastest growing real estate developers in the Philippines. Initially finding its niche within the affluent Filipino-Chinese community, Anchor Land has brought modern condo living to Old Manila through a fusion of current trends and traditional comforts and practices.
