Shopping at Divisoria

Divisoria is one area in Manila that is know for finding cheap finds of all (as in ALL) items you need.  There are clothes, shoes, accessories, home decor, kitchen tools, hardware items, christmas decor, costumes, school and office supplies and many others.  It is like a night market similar to those abroad (like in Hong Kong) where vendors are scattered on the streets.  However, here in the Philippines, the vendors are already selling as early as 10 in the morning.  The area is becoming a modern shopping destination with buildings surrounding it such as Tutuban Mall, 168 Mall, 11/88 Mall and the newest one, Lucky Chinatown Mall.  The latter, however, caters for a more high class shopping destination with cinemas in it.

It isn't my first time to go to Divisoria but it is my first time to go on shopping for clothes and gift items.  Last year, I went to Divisioria to shop for Christmas decors.  I spent only Php 1,500 including an 6ft (or 7ft) christmas tree, ribbons, ball decors, lights and an angel.  Really really cheap.  This time, I really don't have particular items on mind that I wanted to buy.  I just wanted to check out the stores and maybe have some idea on what gifts to give.  And look on what I have bought.  All these for just Php 1,000.  That's 9 items so it could only cost probably Php 115 each!

For me: crochet and lace shorts, maxi dress, crochet top
For him: muscle shirt and shorts

 

 

 

2 tone suede flats

Well, I wasn't able to buy any gifts since I bought a lot of clothes for me and my boyfriend.  The clothes I bought were timely for our upcoming Boracay trip. 

I especially love the maxi dress.  It even has a tag brand Forever 21 with side ribbon tag inside (used to hang on hangers.  I don't know what it is called :D).  I compared the ribbon tag to my authentic Forever 21 clothes and the print is just the same! I wonder if this was authentic.  Well there are a lot of branded clothes at Divisoria which I doubt to be authentic (just like my boyfriend's shorts/boardshorts with brands Nike and Billabong while his muscle shirt, Polo by Ralph Lauren).  What's best, its only Php 150!  Where can you find a maxi dress that only cost Php 150!

I also like my crochet shorts.  Just recently, I saw the same type of shorts being sold online.  It cost about Php 450 but I bought mine at only Php 200.

The ballet flats is also a good find.  It only cost Php 300.  MNJ is a Korean brand according to my friend and it has imitations as well in Divisoria but this one, according to her, is authentic.  Since I'm not so branded/designer person, I don't mind having this brand for cute flats.  The 2-tone feature got my attention and I had difficulty in choosing color combination!  There are violet and pink, blue and pink, gray and black, and many more.

Divisoria is really a shopping haven for budget conscious person like me.  There are other stuff I wanted to buy but there's no more time and budget! haha.  Most of these were bought in 168 mall.  My friend told me that it is cheaper outside the malls.  Well for me, it is already cheap inside the mall.  I wonder how many more items I can buy for just Php 1,000.

Midnight Madness at the Glorietta

The opening of new Glorietta was just perfect for Glorietta's Midnight Madness.  Meaning there will be more stores to choose from.  The New Glorietta opened last November 5 with some stores and restaurants from Glorietta 5 and Park Square added to this new section.  Weeks after, Glorietta held its Midnight Madness which is still ongoing until today.  The Midnight Madness started last November 14 and it will end today.

There were lots of great finds in this midnight madness.  As what I have previously blogged about Toms Shoes, I also get to check out great finds in Kamiseta, Bayo, Toys 'R' Us, Lacoste, Cinderella, The Ramp Crossings, Terranova, and many others.  All items in Kamiseta are on sale from 50% to 70% off.  There are even blouses and jeans that are priced for only Php 200!  Bayo also provides good sale finds with 30% to 50% off on some of their items.  There are a few items which are priced at Php 250 only.  Toys 'R' Us have 10% on all of their items.  There's also a free gift wrapping service when you reached Php 300 worth of items.  This is a great place to shop for kids' toys as Christmas Gifts.  My favorite store, The Ramp Crossings, also have good finds.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to buy any.  But again, the brands The Ramp, Possibility, Faith Hope and Love have bargain clothes for as low as Php 300.  All of the items (or should I say shoes) from Lacoste are on sale, even their new arrivals.  Discounts ranges from 10% to 60% off.  My other favorite store, Mango, didn't participate in the sale.  I guess it is because they held their own sale season.  Same with Zara.

Another attraction to bargain hunters on this sale is their mini bazaar located at the activity center.  Just like in any other bazaars, you will find items for as low as Php 50.  There's even an Ukay Ukay at the stage area.  

This season's midnight madness were not as jammed pack as their previous years' sale.  The only time I saw a lot of people was last Friday.  Yesterday, at 10pm, there seem to be a very few shoppers already.

You still have a few hours left to do your shopping at Glorietta's Midnight Madness.  In case you are far from Makati, Alabang Town Center is also having their sale as well as the Trinoma Mall.  So whether you're in the north or in the south, you can enjoy Ayala Malls' sale.  In case you are an SM loyal shopper, SM Makati is also having their payday sale which also ends today.

My Sale Finds: Toms Shoes

Today is the 1st day of Glorietta's midnight madness.  It will end on Sunday, Nov. 18.  Similarly, SM Makati is also having their payday sale until Sunday.  It's sale season so I don't wanna miss out on a great bargain.

My friend and I don't have any specific item on mind so we just stroll around Glorietta although she wanted to check some shoes while I wanted to check for some wallets.  We chance upon Nothing But Water and saw Toms Shoes on Sale at 30% off.  The women's shoes now only cost about Php 2,100 from original price of Php 2,900.  Were about to choose from the women's section and try them out when my friend saw the kids section was on sale too.  She was thinking of getting one for her daughter who is just 5 month old (excited lang, haha!)  The kids' price are a little cheaper.  From original price of Php 2,295, it now only sells for Php 1,600.  What's amazing is that the kids' shoes have big sizes, good enough for adults like us!  Normally we are size 7, but for Toms youth, we are size 5.  Another good thing is that even if it is on kids' section, the available designs were not all too colorful nor childish.  It's actually stylish!

Classics Navy Palmetto

Meleni

 
I got myself the pink one in somewhat Aztec design.  This is their Meleni collection.  My friend also got the same design only in red color.  There's also color violet available for this design.  My sister asked me to buy one for her.  She got the blue denim wash design.  This is their Classics Navy Palmetto collection.

There are a lot of styles to choose from and its quite difficult to choose.  You can only decide when your 1st choice of design doesn't have a size 5 from the kids section.  The women's section also have nice designs but of course we're after the cheaper cost! Haha!  I think the men's section are also on sale, we were just not able to ask it.  The salesmen told us that only Toms in Nothing But Water are on sale.  Also, the stock availability are only 1 per size per design.  There's also Toms store in the new Glorietta and it seems like it is not on sale.  I'm not sure with the Rustan's branch.

If you're a fan of Toms or been eyeing to get one.  This is your chance.  It's very rare that Toms get this great sale!

My Sale Finds: Forever 21

I didn't know that Forever 21 was having a sale in their branch in SM Makati. What I heard before was they have a sale in SM North Edsa branch. That's too far from me.

When my officemate came back to the office after lunch last Friday, she had bags of Forever 21. I teased her that she has gone shopping even if its not payday yet. She was very excited to inform me that Forever 21 gives additional discount on their sale items. She was able to buy shorts for just 150 pesos! Great buy! I should check that out!

I was able to visit Forever 21 in SM Makati yesterday. There are quite a few racks with sale items on it ranging from 200 to 400 pesos. There are also racks with less 20% on the regular items and racks with 500 pesos and below. I was able to find only 2 pieces of shorts that is only 300 pesos. I believe these are the ones that has further 50% off discounts. There are still available sizes and still a lot of styles to choose from. You just need to check all the racks including those returned from the fitting rooms.

5 items for a total of about Php 1,000 only!

I fitted about 9 clothes but retained only 5 pieces. Calculating them, it will cost me more than 2,000 pesos. I had some hesitations at first as it is very expensive already but still i brought them at the counter. To my surprise, all of the items were at an additional 50% off! Yahoo!!! Sale on sale items!

I'm not sure until when is the sale but i hope its extended until payday next week! So go visit Forever 21 in SM Makati! You still have a few hours left! (In case the sale is only up to today)

SM Megamall's 3-Day Sale

I am not always looking forward to SM Megamall's Sale because I know it will be jammed pack.  Even if the mall is not on sale, there's always a lot of people there.  But this time, I got this urge to check out their 3-day sale specifically visiting Forever 21 store.  Well, I'm glad I did! I've got pretty good finds from Forever 21 and Melissa Shoes! Below are some of the items I bought.

50% off on each item

I was so happy with the swimwear I bought from Forever 21.  Even if summer is still far away, as a beach lover, I know I will get to wear these at any season.  And fortunately, I have an upcoming beach trip this November.  I'm not so into printed swimwear but I still grab this pair because its cheap!  Good thing I found a pair for these.  Each costs Php 309 from the original price of Php 620 each.  So basically this pair is only Php 618! Way cheaper than those sold in Landmark and SM!

this only cost Php 99!

the back side of the bikini bottom

I especially love the blue bikini bottom because its just Php 99!  Besides, blue is my favorite color!  It's just unfortunate that I can't find a bikini top to pair with it.  I did find some but the size is large.  But it doesn't matter.  I can just mix and match this bottom to my existing bikini tops.

You can fit these swimwear at Forever 21 before buying so good thing I know my size is always small.  I also bought a skirt (with belt) and a dress (great for the beach! haha!) for just less than Php 500 each.  Great buys!
 

Melissa Ultragirl + Gareth Pugh shoes

I never had any Melissa shoes but I have loved a few of its collections like the Campana and Ultragirl.  I'm just having difficulty in buying them because I'm seeing a lot of fakes and similar items sold in side streets.  I want most of my shoes to be somehow unique.  So when I saw the Melissa shoes "booth" along the bridgeway of SM Megamall, I didn't hesitate to check them out.  I tried a lot of shoes and sandals and everything was at 20%-40% off!  I almost hoarded a lot of their flats and sandals which only costs Php 1,000!  Anyway, my eye caught this Melissa Ultragirl + Gareth Pugh shoes.  I wanted the red and white combination but my feet looks darker when I tried it on.  So I opted for teh safer color, black and white.  It's not really my favorite but it looks good on my feet.  Plus its so comfy!  I'm just not sure if I can wear this with my office attire.  Anyway, this pair of flats originally costs Php 3,250 but I bought it for only Php 1,900, that's more than 40% off!

There are other good finds I saw like in Unarosa with up to 70% off, Kipling bags and wallet at 40%-50% off, Esprit at up to 50% off, Giordano at up to 70% off, Guess bags and wallets at 50% off and many more!  My other favorite brand, Mango, also have sale items but only on some of their bags.

The 3-day sale ends today.  So you still have a few hours left to shop.  SM Megamall closes today at 11pm.

Backpacking Trip in Tagaytay: Review of Famous Inn

It's my first time to stay overnight in Tagaytay at my own expense (previous trips were care of my company where we had team building and planning sessions).  My first choice was actually at Keni Po since this is the same hotel I recommended to my friends which unfortunately I wasn't able to join them.  I recommended it due to good reviews and very affordable accommodation.  Since Keni Po was fully booked on my chosen date, we opted to stay in Famous Inn after several search on cheap accommodations in Tagaytay.  You can read them here.

As what the name implies, Famous Inn is a small hotel providing lodging and food for travelers.  It has 2 floors with about 15 rooms.  They offer fan and air conditioned rooms good for 2 up to 8 persons.  True to what they've posted on their website, the hotel is painted in bright yellow and their rooms were well painted in bright color as well.  (As of this writing, they've already changed the design of their website but you can still view their rooms from here).

We reserved for a fan room since it'll be cold in Tagaytay on our travel date due to the rainy weather.  The rate is Php 800 per night.  The room offered double size bed, small tv, fan, small table with 2 chairs and a bathroom with hot and cold shower.  They have a small restaurant and parking space is provided.  I was surprised that the room they gave us has air conditioning unit.  I thought maybe all their rooms have it.  I just learned upon check out that the room they gave us was indeed for an aircon room when the receptionist was charging us Php 1,000 for the aircon room.  Well that's no longer my fault.  And besides, we never used the aircon due to the cold weather (we even turned off the electric fan).

Now for my review... To get to Famous Inn, you still need to walk 300 meters from the main road.  But from the main road, it is about 5 minutes away from Picnic Grove.  I didn't expect the room to have big mirrors beside the bed as it was not in any pictures of the room I've searched.  It was like motels in Manila.  It felt awkward and it really didn't seem like a romantic room (honestly, some motel rooms in Manila were better than this).  The headboard of the bed have some black ants crawling that it can get to your bed.  Towels were provided but it was really thin as if it shrunk due to frequent wash.  Good thing we brought our own towels.  No toiletries were provided except for toilet paper which were half consumed (see, motels in Manila were better! haha!).  The receptionist told us that blankets will just be delivered to our room.  It didn't came so we just use their thin blanket on a cold night.  The water from the shower is strong and you can adjust the temperature.  The only problem is that the bathroom can get clogged but the water subsides after a few minutes.  Wifi is provided up to the room though there are certain areas when the signal is weak.  We were not able to try their food but their prices are quite cheap.  By the way, breakfast was not included in their rates.  Even if the inn is walking distance from the main road, it's not scary to walk there at night as there were lights alongside the houses.

If you don't mind sleeping in a motel-like lodging and if you will just be sleeping there, then Famous Inn is ok.  It's cheap and somehow clean.  Just bring your own towel.  Overall, I'll give this small hotel a 6 rating out of 10.  I personally didn't like the mirror and the towel.  All the rest are ok.

Backpacking Trip in Tagaytay

While having second thoughts of pushing through with my Tagaytay trip with my boyfriend, the trip still went well with no private vehicle to use, just commuting by bus, tricycle, van/shuttle and jeepney.  It isn't my first time in Tagaytay but I am not so familiar with all the places to visit and restaurants to eat, only a few of it.  Although it is my first time to commute from Manila to Tagaytay, more like a backpacking trip to Tagaytay.  And of course, it's my first time to have this trip with my boyfriend.

It has been raining  for the past weeks and reading from forums, it's raining also in Tagaytay.  That made me think twice in pushing through this backpacking trip.  Nevertheless, we still push through with it since the typhoons were mostly headed north of Luzon.  Because its raining, we opted to stay in a fan room.  I've researched various budget and affordable accommodations which I also posted in my previous blog.  It's a good thing that there are a lot of accommodations to choose from that's why there are still a number of available rooms on my chosen dates, considering it is a long weekend. 

On this blog, I will post mostly the fares and transportation in various destinations in Tagaytay.  The reviews and other details will be posted in the next blog.  

GOING TO TAGAYTAY

Backpacking trip in Tagaytay, we obviously bring along just our backpacks.  We were suppose to ride the bus but I've read that it will take you more than 2 hours travel time since it will pass by Cavite and with lots of bus stops.  My officemate suggested that we ride a van located in a street before Metropoint mall along Edsa-Pasay Rotonda.  The van is going to Batangas but I'm just not sure exactly where and it will pass by Tagaytay City via Sta. Rosa exit.  This will shorten our travel time to just about an hour to 1 hour and a half.  So we chose to ride the van to shorten our travel time.  We arrived at the van area around 11am.  Travel time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.  The route was through Southwoods exit then to Aguinaldo highway, Silang, Cavite.  Fare is Php 180 per person going to Tagaytay.  But I learned that same fare going to Batangas.

TAGAYTAY PROPER

Mahogany Market

We were not sure where to drop off but I know the van will pass by Tagaytay Rotonda or near Olivarez.  Since its already lunch and we planned to eat bulalo in Mahogany Market (which I'm not familiar with), we thought of just dropping off near that area.  But we were not sure where the van's route is.  So when we saw Mahogany Avenue we already asked the driver to drop us there.  The problem is, how do we go to Mahogany Market?  That's the fun in backpacking trip style.  You just get to ask around on how to go to your destination.  From Petron, we just rode a jeep going to NBI.  We asked the driver to take us to Mahogany Market.  Fare is just Php 11 per person.

Famous Inn / Picnic Grove

One of the cheapest accommodation I found is the Famous Inn, located at Barangay Sungay West, Tagaytay-Calamba Road.  You can read about my review on this accommodation here.  According to my research, this inn is located near Picnic Grove.  From Mahogany Market, the jeepney driver told us to ride any jeep across the market and ask them to drop us at the Terminal.  From the Terminal, there are jeeps going to Picnic Grove and People's Park.  Fare from Mahogany Market to Terminal is Php 8 per person.  From Terminal to Famous Inn/Picnic Grove, fare is Php 11 per person.

People's Park in The Sky

We rested for a while in our room then off we go to People's Park.  From Famous Inn, we rode a jeep going to People's Park.  Same jeep from the terminal is traveling in front of the Famous Inn.  Fare is Php 9 per person.  After People's Park, we'll have our snack/dinner either in Olivarez or near the restaurant row that are famous in Tagaytay.  From the park, there are no longer jeeps available going back to Picnic Grove or Olivarez at 5pm so we just rode the tricycle.  It will definitely be more expensive so we just ask the tricycle driver to take us to Picnic Grove.  Fare is Php 60 per ride.  From Picnic Grove, we just waited for a jeep going to Olivarez.  Again, Picnic Grove to Olivarez, fare is Php 11 per person.

Restaurant Row / Magallanes Square
We had dinner beside Magallanes Square.  We were told that jeepneys are only available until 8pm.  But we finished our dinner at around 8.30pm.  We still are able to rode a jeep from Magallanes Square to Terminal.  Fare is Php 8 per person.  From the terminal, it was only 1 jeep or the last trip waiting for us.  I guess the last trip is around 9pm.  From the Terminal to Famous Inn, the fare is again Php 11 per person.

FROM TAGAYTAY TO MANILA

My boyfriend and I decided to just ride the bus on our back to Manila.  Although at the Terminal, there are vans available going to Calamba and Festival Mall/Alabang.  It was quite hard to wait for an air-conditioned bus going to Pasay MRT/LRT.  Those in the bus stops were ordinary buses and some are going to Baclaran.  After about 20 minutes, we were able to ride an air-conditioned bus going to Pasay MRT/LRT.  Their route is via Cavite, Baclaran, Roxas Boulevard and final destination at Pasay MRT/LRT, at the back of Sogo Hotel.  Fare is Php 78 per person.  Travel time is about 2 hours.

On this backpacking trip to Tagaytay, we don't get to see a lot of tourist destinations since we don't have our own vehicle and our trip is just overnight.  We just visited People's Park in the Sky, Picnic Grove, Our Lady of Manaoag and eat near Magallanes Square.  The fares posted were as of August 2012.


UPDATE: From Manila To Tagaytay

I've mentioned in some comment/reply post that we tried riding a van in Alabang going to Tagaytay.  When we went back to Tagaytay last Dec. 30, 2014, there was no more van there going to Tagaytay.  The vans there were going to Dasma.  So we just went to Festival Mall and ask around for van terminals going to Tagaytay.  The van terminal was located outside of the Pixie Forest exit (Goldilocks).  Van fare is Php 75 each and you will be alighted at Olivarez (along Aguinaldo Highway).  This same location is where the van terminals are going back to Laguna and Alabang.