Antique Hunt in Manila
Find the perfect souvenir to take home and enjoy the shops! Buy for love of an item and barter on the price. Not all the antiques are genuine, but you can find some real gems!
You can find some fantastic ship wreck pottery with attached barnacles and corals; Chinese vases; wooden religious artifacts (many probably reproductions); carved wood and furniture; antique radios, shells, rocks and minerals; World War II artifacts; Budda's (probably reproduction); old watches and jewelry and many other nick-nacks. Many shops are piled high and are brilliant to view.
The best antique shops are in some of the worst looking areas, but don't worry as they are safe and many westerners go there. Just keep an eye out for holes in the pavement, trip hazards and beggers. These areas are gradually being cleaned up!
Where to go
The best Antiques place (and it is undercover so suitable for a rainy day) is at the World Trade Center at the end of Buendia Avenue on Roxas Boulevard. This is a short taxi ride from the Mall of Asia. You will see a sign saying 'Centre for International Trade Expositions and Missions'. Although it doesn't look welcoming, go in here and round a corner past a place called 'Philexport' and then drive to Hall 6 and 7. Here you will find purely antiques and perhaps a few reproductions and no junk. There is pottery, china, jewelry, furniture, carvings, religious artifacts and all sorts! It is very pleasant (and very badly advertised - nobody knows it is there). Barter and you can get a very good deal.
Go to Halls 6 and 7
You'll find all sorts of antiques!
Another excellent place to visit is Del Pilar Street and Mabini Street in Malate. These streets run parallel to Roxas Boulevard (Baywalk area), adjacent to the Manila Bay seafront. The southern end of these streets comprises bars and used to be a red light district, much of which has now largely moved to end of Makati Ave, Makati. The northern end, closer to Rizal Park, comprises many antique stores. If you go to the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Filipino on Del Pilar Street and then go north up the street and you are about in the right place. When you reach the end of the street turn right and then right again and head down the parallel Mabini Street. Whilst the streets don't look very desirable, just watch your step and you'll be fine. Once you have been in a few antique stores you'll be happy you came. Some items are very overpriced and some are absolute bargains. You'll find all sorts of antiques and reproduction items. Barter and be prepared to walk away!
A less well known, but good antique place is a short ride from Makati. It is the southern end of Evangelista Street, where Hen. Del Pilar Street (Gen. Del Pilar in English) crosses. This is in Barangay Bangkal. Other local streets include Hen. Garcia Street, Hen. Lacuna Street, P. Santos Street, Hen Hizon Street, Cap. M. Reyes Street. In this general area there are dozens and dozens of shops. You'll have to explore the streets and ask around where other shops are as they are not in a neat row. Most shops sell a mixture of antiques, second hand items, clothes, shoes, furniture, old electronic items, etc. As this area is less geared to tourists there are few reproductions but more 'junk'! It is a bit like a car boot sale or garage sale here. Don't be put off by the appearance of some of these shops - get in and rummage! There are some bargains to be had and you can barter (getting up to about 30 percent off). I like this place, it is down to Earth and far more Filipino!
Some shops are a little like a garage sale, but dig in and there are some real bargains and good antiques to be found!
You will find a mix of everything in shops - some is rubbish, but you'll come across the odd gem!
Some shops are better organised and have some great items!
Next take a taxi to Tiendesitas [click here] on C-5 [click for map]. This is a bit of a ride so best not to do this in rush hour. Allow 30-40 minutes, but the taxi fare is around 150-200 peso I think. Here it is much cleaner and better organised, but not quite the same feeling. It is like a permanent market and you'll find antiques and many crafts here, although many are reproduction items. You can also grab a drink and bite to eat.
If you are still thirsty for antiques then try your luck at SM Megamall in Ortigas (a modern shopping mall). On the third floor you'll find a few antique stores, book stores and art shops. Also try the modern and classy shopping arcade at LRI Plaza 210 Nicanor Garcia Street (formerly Reposo), Bel Air II, Makati for some antique shops, art shops and home shops. In Makati you will also find odd antique shop out and about, such as on Pasay Road near Tower Inn. In Glorietta, the main shopping mall, there are some arts and reproduction shops on the 3rd floor. In Greenbelt 5, third floor, you will find some nice modern and reproduction items which make classy gifts, but no antiques. In Intramuros you'll also find a good antique shop in the El Amanecer Building, 744 General Luna Street (2nd and 3rd floor).
Tips and Comments
Buy a good street map of Manila and you'll be able to find all the places mentioned. You can get a good map in a bookstore (such as National Bookstore) for around 100-200 peso.
Remember that customs in your country will likely confiscate items such as coral and turtle products, so best not to buy these.
Only pay what you are happy paying and beware of reproductions.
Beware of people on the streets (and in some shops) selling fake 'silver' coins.
Why not pick up a tektite. These are black terrestrial rocks found across Southeast Asia, which rained down after a huge asteroid impact near Vietnam, 800,000 years ago. Many people consider these rocks to be lucky - they are certainly unique and fascinating having been flung some 2000 kilometres from their origin! The Filipino tektites are unique in character.