Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!

If there is one thing that fashion-conscious Filipino's like to do, then that is shopping! There are a staggering array of malls offering excellent shopping and food halls under one roof. The malls are too numerous to mention them all, so I will simply focus (in order) on those of most interest to tourists.

Greenbelt (Makati)

Greenbelt offers an incredibly pleasurable shopping, dining and party experience. This is a high-end shopping mall in a park atmosphere. At this mall you will find all the high-end shops like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Rolex, Tumi, etc. Don't be scared off though as there are also some more affordable shops including Marks and Spencers, Kenneth Cole and local designers. Greenbelt 1 offers many affordable restaurants, a theater and cinemas and also Sanry's money exchanger. Greenbelt 2 offers some good restaurants and also an excellent place to party at night - Spicy Fingers always has an excellent band starting at 10pm until around 3 am. Greenbelt 3 has mid-range clothes and sports shops. A night there are some good mid-range restaurants and bars On the top floor you will find a cinema complex. Many westerners hang-out at Starbucks of Havana's. Generally speaking, don't take your wife to Greenbelt 4 or '$' if you press the shift key on your computer - this is where Louis Vuitton is located. Greenbelt 5 is the newest section and has expensive and medium range shops. Many fine dining restaurants are now open in Greenbelt 5, but some more affordable eateries are also available. If you are looking for top quality food and a night out then head to Greenbelt!

Great shops and fine dining in Greenbelt!

Glorietta (Makati)

Glorietta is a large shopping mall. You'll find all the brands in this mall and it can take you all day to get around all 3 floors. Whatever you are looking for, it is here. At one end SM Mall is attached which offers four floors of classy shopping - again you'll find everything here! In this section you'll find a Kultura store that offers Filipino souvenirs and handicraft. At the other end of Glorietta mall you'll find the Landmark department store. You go through the Landmark to get to Greenbelt mall. Landmark is less classy than SM but offers some great deals on clothes and you'll be pleased at the price of their souvenir and handicraft department on the top floor. Glorietta is getting a little tired now, but is currently being renovated (and is still open). If you are staying in Makati then Glorietta is the easiest and biggest mall to head to.

SM Mall of Asia click here

SM Mall of Asian is the biggest of all the malls. and is located on the seafront. You can spend all day here! There are many many shops selling everything you desire. All the global brands are here. There is even an ice rink in the middle! There are loads of cinema screens and an Imax 3-D cinema, which is well worth visiting, especially if you have kids! You will find a huge array of restaurants, some located on the boulevard. There are also many bars and a nightclub, so you can party the night away! This is the place to go for shopping and entertainment in Manila. On Friday at about 7pm there is also a firework display which is worth viewing, but leave early as traffic on a Friday night is really bad (from Makati maybe 1 hour plus perhaps 1 hour wait for a taxi - 30 minutes on a normal day)!

There is often a big taxi queue to leave the mall. Avoid the wait by taking one of the private hire vehicles - it will cost around 300 peso instead of 100 peso, but is worthwhile!

Market! Market! and the High Street (Fort Bonifacio)

Market! Market is a typical mall like many in the Philippines where you will find all the usual brands. The adjacent High Street is worth a look! You'll have a very relaxing experience in the modern and often designer shops. The area is well designed with many modern sculptures, so be sure to bring your camera. After shopping why not unwind at a wine bar or enjoy a sophisticated meal!

SM Megamall (Ortigas)

If you are in the Ortigas area maybe you will pop into this vast mall. It is much the same as the aforementioned malls, with many of the same shops. You'll find some more unique arts shops on the top floor. Worth visiting if you are local or really into shopping, otherwise head to Mall of Asia or the Makati Malls.

Power Plant Mall (Rockwell)

The Power Plant Mall is classy but not outstanding. You'll find all the usual shops and some good restaurants. Cinema's are located upstairs. A good mall, but if you are going out of your way then go to Greenbelt, Mall of Asia or Fort Bonifacio High Street.

Greenhills Shopping Center (San Juan)

Greenhills is a smaller shopping mall. If you want to pick up some pearls or jewellery at a good price then this is the place to head to - you'll find hundreds of market-type stalls. You will also find some local handicraft and a huge selection of fake bags (which you can't take home)! This is also a hub for mobile phones and phone and computer repair.

Tiendisitas (Pasig)

There isn't a great deal to see here and it is a little out the way. Having said that, there are some nice antique and handicraft stalls in a market-like set up. You may just find the souvenir you've been looking for here and it is a pleasant set-up!

Hints and Tips

DVD's and Software - In the good malls all the DVD's and software will be genuine, but still cheap. Be aware that these are often region restricted so may not work at home. Avoid buying counterfeit CD's, DVD's, bags etc. as these will likely be confiscated from you (and you could be fined) if you take them home. The police in Manila do crack down on counterfeits, but they are very readily available, particularly in cheaper malls aimed at the Filipino market. DVD's often cost 60 peso for counterfeit and around 150-400 peso for the genuine article.