The Philippine's Top Shopping Destinations for the Budget Conscious

Christmas is once again just around the corner. As early as the first day of September we could already hear Christmas carols played on the radio. Everyone is slowly formulating their Christmas shopping list, and of course, getting a headache with scrimping and budgeting. But there are places in the Philippine metropolis that offers a variety of goods at very low prices; these places are like diamonds hidden in the dirt. These are the places that could rival Hongkong, Bangkok, China and even Paris. One just needs to have guts, determination and shopping savvy to find the best items to give as gifts. They need not be expensive to be appreciated, that is why the mall is not always the place to go to in search of gifts. Here are the four top destinations for the budget challenged individual.

Greenhills Shopping Center (located in Pasig City)
Of the four destinations mentioned here, Greenhills is the most expensive. If you are looking for designer shirts, jean, shoes etc., this is the place to visit. Greenhills has a lot of stalls selling branded items, and if you know how to distinguish the real deal from the replica, you will be able to find the best designer brands at cheap prices. They also sell a lot of accessories (think: bling bling), funky hats and stylish shoes and belts. One may also see a lot of Filipino celebrities shopping here because even if the goods here are fairly cheap compared to the malls, there are some great stuff here that are not sold in the more exclusive boutiques. Cellphone addicts will also love this place because there are a lot of mobile phones sold here- from the latest models to the most obsolete. Various cellphone accessories are also being sold here at affordable prices. They also provide cellphone repair service for those who might need them or those who might want to have their units upgraded.

Baclaran (located in Roxas Boulevard)
Baclaran is famous for the Redemptorist Church that houses the image of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Catholics flock to this place every Wednesday to hear mass and for the novena. Along the sidewalks are stalls that sell mostly clothes and home items. Prices are very cheap here for one could buy a watch for just P100 to P150 ($3) or jeans for just P200 ($4). You could also find beautiful curtains and draperies here for just P200. The only deterrent to peaceful shopping is the pending side- walk vendor clean-up by the police. If you unluckily have been shopping at a scheduled raid, be ready to be caught in the flurry of escaping vendors. So always be on the look out for police vans roaming around and escape before the commotion starts.

Quiapo (located in Manila)
Like Baclaran, Quiapo is also known for the Church of St. John the Baptist, home to the Black Nazarene. Near the church, there are various establishments, some even air- conditioned that have different things to sell. If you are looking for cellphone accessories or parts, Quiapo is the place to go. They have the lowest prices when it comes to these things compared to the other three. They also have a lot more choices for cellphone accessories and their wholesale prices are the lowest in the country. Raon, which is the best place to look for electronic parts and appliances, is also in Quiapo. Quiapo is also famous for selling medicinal herbs and concoctions that are said to cure all kinds of ailments. They also sell amulets that are said to ward off evil spirits and even give you the power to survive gunshots. But the most popular attraction is- fortune-tellers! This place is swarming with people who claim to be seers or have been given the gift of foresight. They use different methods like palm reading, using playing cards, crystal balls and tarot reading. So if you want to know your future, please do visit Quiapo.

Divisoria ( Abad Santos, Manila)
Divisoria can be considered as the most popular choice for the budget- conscious. This place offers the best variety of goods out of the four destinations. There are several mall- type structures in Divisoria such as Tutuban center, 168 Mall in Reyna Rehente, Divisoria Mall near Taborra and other smaller buildings. These "malls" have items at very cheap prices and better yet, you can haggle with the store attendants to lower the prices. These "malls" are recommended for those who are not used to shop in the heat of the sun or those who are wary of rubbing elbows with strangers on the street. Even if these are mall-like structures, the prices are still extremely cheap. You can buy a complete outfit with just P500 ($10)- jeans for P150 to P200 ($3 to $4), blouses or shirts for P50 to P150 ($1 to $3), shoes or sandals for P150 ($3).

But if you are the adventurous, gutsy type, you can opt to go to the streets of Ilaya, Sto. Cristo and Taborra. Most of the goods here are sold on the sidewalk and you would be able to get the items you need at half the price to that found in malls if you buy in bulk. And by bulk, I don't mean one truckload, because 6 pieces to one dozen of similar items are already given at wholesale prices. If you can buy a pair of earrings for P25 (50 cents) at the malls, you can buy 6 pieces here for P15 (a quarter!) each. So if you have plans to give identical gifts to your friends and relatives, buying in bulk is definitely recommended.

Divisoria offers the most complete array of goods, from accessories to clothes, from glasses to curtains, from baby bottles to cribs and even, chips and fruits. So for a complete shopping experience, visit Divisoria.

Now that you know the destinations, here are some things to remember before going to these places:

1.It is better to ride the public transport than to bring your car when going to places like Quiapo, Baclaran and Divisoria, because you will have a tough time looking for a place to park. If there is a need to bring a car, you can park in Tutuban Center or 168 so that your car's safety is assured. But if you prefer Greenhills, using your car is definitely a must because public transport is seldom found in this place.

2. When carrying your valuables, it is better to use body bags or those bags that will allow you to cross their straps across your body, better yet, just keep your money in your pockets. Since these places are highly- populated, pick- pockets are everywhere. It's better to keep your money in places close to your body; some even put them inside their bras or inside their jeans for protection.

3. Do not wear your Sunday best when shopping, instead wear simple shirts and your rattiest jeans. This will help you when you haggle for prices, vendors who think that you have money will not give you a discount because they know you can afford to pay at a higher price.

4. Jewelry is also not recommended, not only because it attracts attention, but it could also get caught in someone's shirt, hair or even injure someone, remember, there is heavy traffic of walking people at these places.
Be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes or sandals. With the amount of walking you will be doing, wearing stilettos is definitely not recommended.

5. Do not buy right away at the first store you go to. It is better to go to different stores first and compare the prices. Chances are, you would be able to find the place that offers the lowest price.

6. Always bargain with the vendors. If they say an item is for P100 ($2), tell them you can only afford P40 (less than a dollar).

7. When haggling, aim for at least 40% discount. It never hurts to try, you never know when someone will give in.

8. If you need assistance to carry your purchases, do not give your full trust. There have been incidences of hired porters running away and stealing the items they were asked to help carry.

9. When hiring "pedicabs" or those bikes that have a small carriage attached to them, do not give in to the prices. Haggle with the driver and when he doesn't want to lower his price, just walk away. Surely, he would yell after you with a discounted rate.

10. The most important is, BE ALERT, this way you would get what you want and no one will take advantage of you. It never hurts to pretend as if you are a regular customer at these places. Vultures always prey at unsuspecting victims.