The Divisoria Experience
Bargain Shopping in Manila, Philippines
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Written by: Debbie Salcedo
03/21/05

Title: "The Divisoria Experience"
About: Travel and Tourism Philippines


The Divisoria Experience - Bargain Shopping in Manila

Divisoria. To some, it may mean nothing. To others who have been there, it is the absolute mecca for shoppers and bargain hunters.

If there is one thing most tourists both local and foreign appreciate in shopping in the Philippines, it's the bargains. Rows of stalls that can be found in the local bazaars also known as "tiangge" (pronounced "Chang-Geh") can only be a teaser of treasures to be unearthed by determined bargain shoppers.

From clothes to jewelry, to handicrafts and designer imitation items, most everything may be found in tiangges at prices like you would never believe. A lot of market places and local stores play host to these bargain treasure troves but none still matches the bargain central of them all.

Divisoria, or "Divi" as it is nicknamed by its regular patrons, may be found in downtown Manila,the Philippine capital, near Claro M. Recto Avenue. By all accounts, it's like a giant flea market where the prices are not only dirt cheap at wholesale prices, but you can haggle for as low as you want. Believe it or not, it is just about the place a person could go with only $25 and be outfitted with branded sneakers, jeans, a couple of trendy shirts and a faux designer bag.

Clothes may be had dirt cheap with shirts going for as low as US$1.75 to a maximum of $6.00 for foreign name brand shirts. Just recently I went shopping and was able to get Marks & Spencer shirts that I bought for only a hundred fifty pesos each (about $2.75.) A pair of jeans are tagged at 300 pesos ($5.50) while good imitation designer bags and wallets can go for as low as 200 pesos ($3.00.)

For those interested in local handicraft and indigenous products, you can buy chandeliers, lamps and wall hangings made of capis (mother of pearl) or furniture decorated with slivers of inlaid tamaraw (Philippine Water Buffalo) horns.

Novelty items like native wood carvings, parols (Christmas lantern) made of capis, wind chimes made of shells and religious statues may also be purchased there.

Cloth made from pinya (pineapple fibers) and abaca (manila hemp) are also sold in the textile sales area in Divisoria. Crocheted, laced, woven or silk, you name it, they've got it.

Getting hungry? Even meals may be had at unbelieveable prices. For approximately $2/apiece, a meal of soup, a cup of rice, two entrees and a small soft drink may be bought at the sidewalk eateries scattered around Divisoria.

For visitors who'd like to really take in the Filipino scene, they can snack on chicharon (deep fried pork rinds,) tapa (cured meat,) dilis (crispy, sweet anchovies,) green mango with bagoong (anchovies) and the Filipino delicacy used in one episode of Fear Factor, balut (boiled duck eggs with partially developed duckling usually eaten with salt) are also sold in stalls lining the sidewalks. More conventional snacks like smoked squid, deep fried fish balls, breaded quail eggs, and boiled or smoked corn on the cob are also available.





For the less culinary adventurous, fast food chains like Jollibee, McDonald's and Burger King may be found along with a few Chinese restaurants here and there.

Speaking of food, food shopping from the market can also be a joy. Local and imported fruit like fragrant pears, kiwi fruit, honeydew and breadfruit may be bought by the crate at the market. Like everything in Divisoria, expect to get these at cheap wholesale prices.

For tourists who find the heat or smoke from the vehicles too oppressive, they can shop in comfort inside the Tutuban Mall at the side of Divisoria where indoor "tiangges" are set up in air-conditioned spaces. Costs may be a teeny bit higher than items sold on the streets but at these prices, they're still a steal.

First time visitors to Divisoria may find the area confusing and labyrinthine. Hence, a local guide is always good to have. Having a guide means that visitors will have with them not only a guide but also a translator, bargain middleman, and additional pair of hands when it comes to carrying your purchases.

Facilities for shoppers include ATMs at major bank outlets in Divi, moneychangers at designated indoor shops, and shopping bags made of woven sacks sold at almost every corner in Divisoria to make carrying your packages easier.

While getting around Divisoria is easy enough for as long as you have on comfortable sneakers or sandals, you can always try out the native calesas (horse drawn carriages) who, for a small fee, can take you on a small tour of Divisoria. You can also hire sidecars (bicycles with passenger cars attached to the side) to take you back to your car if you feel winded down after all the walking and haggling.

Five Cardinal Rules for shopping in Divisoria.

1. For practical and safety reasons, never go to Divisoria alone.

2. Wear your rattiest and oldest clothes. Hey, why should they give you bargains if you can afford to dress in Gucci, right?

3. Wear comfortable shoes and loose, light weight clothes. It can get very hot during the day.

4. A good hat, sunscreen and water will be nice to have on this kind of trip.

Carry your money in various denominations, preferably in smaller bills to limit problems in finding change. Put them in a nice, secure place where it won't easily be snatched/stolen. Don't put all your money in just one pocket or bag. Nothing wrong with being safe than sorry right?
Vendors may demure all they can but when haggling, always start at 50% of the asking price. You should be able to seal the deal just a few pesos higher than that.

Enough talk. Let’s go shopping!!!

Visit beautiful philippines today!  A great vacation for the entire family...

 

 




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