Out of Town Blog » Shopping Tips

Top Malls in Divisoria

melo — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:17:49 +0000

I know this post is a little too late for Christmas Shopping but tell me anyone who got tired of shopping? We all need to buy so many things everyday for our daily needs, gifts or for therapeutic purposes. If you are looking for the best place to buy cheap goods, there’s no other place to go other than Divisoria.

168 Shopping Mall in Divisoria

Divisoria is a shopping district that can be found in Manila. This bargain shopping Mecca is considered the shopping capital for wholesalers and regular shoppers in the country. Historically speaking, Divisoria is the birthplace of the revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio and the first ever filipino Saint Lorenzo Ruiz.

Old Oriente Street near Divisoria – the location of the defunct Hotel de Oriente in Binondo few blocks from Divisoria. This two-story building had 83 rooms and is believed to be the first hotel in the Philippines.

You can find practically anything in Divisoria, from gadgets to chinese traditional medicines to accessories and replica bags and quality local and imported replica clothing mostly from China and Thailand. Street vendors sells everything under the sun but you can find what they sell at a cheaper prices in some malls listed below:

Divisoria Mall – is located in Binondo area between Tabora and Sto. Cristo streets. This mall is air-conditioned with three floors that sells mostly clothing, household, gadgets, school supplies and other imported goods from China. If you really want to save money, you can avail wholesale prices if you buy at least 6 peaces of the same product you are buying.

Inside Divisoria Mall

Tutuban Center Mall – right in front of the former a PNR central station, this area was transformed into an air-conditioned mall in the early 90′s. You can also find Robinson’s Department Store and Supermarket for grocery shopping at the Prime Block Mall.

168 Mall – currently the most popular mall in the areal. It is located between Sta. Elena and Soler streets, this mall offers variety of products which includes fashion, imported replica footwear and other gift items.

How To Get To Divisoria?

For public commuters, Divisoria is accessible by taking the MRT or LRT-2 purple lane traversing Recto Avenue and getting off at the last station, Recto. You can also take jeepneys and FXs from Taft Avenue, España and Cubao which ply the Divisoria route. Due to high volume of vehicles, most taxi drivers are refusing to bring passengers to this area. If you prefer to reach Divisoria by Taxi, you can ask drivers to bring you to Binondo Church then you can walk from there.

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Wanderlust Journals : First Filipino-inspired Travel Planner

melo — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:06:21 +0000

Tired of collecting stickers to get your own 2012 planner? Do you want to get a planner that you can you can perfectly use to plan your trips for 2012. The Wanderlust Fiesta Pilipinas edition is the first travel planner that features local destinations containing featured fiestas, hotels, restaurants, travel tips and discounted coupons from partner merchants.

Wanderlust Travel Planner

A Philippine festival is featured every month such as Sinulog (Cebu), Aurora day celebration (Aurora), Pintados de Passi (Iloilo), Bangus Festival (Dagupan), Pahiyas (Quezon), Baragatan (Palawan), Sandugo Festival (Bohol), Kadayawan (Davao), Feast of the Lady of Penafrancia (Bicol), Masskara (Bacolod), Higantes (Rizal) and Balabag Festival (Boracay).

Two avid travelers, Andrea and Faith, came up with the idea of having the perfect travel companion – your personal planner. It doesn’t talk back, is always punctual and ready for anything! Travelers will love the idea of having their own planner with specialized pages like a travel checklist, dream destinations and a calendar with other Philippine fiestas.

List of Philippine National Holidays 2012

For each destination, recommended hotels, restaurants, places to see, activities, suggested itineraries and insider travel tips from pinoy travel bloggers from wearesolesisters.com, micamyx.com, byahilo.com, maryjanecabrera.com, justwandering.org, lakbaypilipinas.com and escapeislands.com are included. Pages for budget and itinerary are also included for the time-conscious, while cute blank pages are provided for those who like to sketch or write down their thoughts.

Thirty (30) coupons from travel partners are included in the planner including promotions from Wanderlust’s premium partner AirPhil Express, Bayler View Hotel, Casa Ibiza Hotel, Farm of Joy, Hillside Resort, Ensemble E-Travel, Smartway Travel, Cybersoft and resorts and hotels in awesome destinations like Puerto Galera, Boracay, Bohol, Batangas, Ilocos, Palawan, Cebu, Mindoro, Zambales and Albay.

The Travel planner will be available in major bookstores in Metro Manila starting January 9, 2012 – Powerbooks, Fullybooked, A Different Bookstore and Sketchbooks (Greenbelt 5) for Php499. Andy & Beth is also accepting pre-orders for Php399 on or before January 8, 2011. Order through wanderlusttraveljournals@gmail.com or +639228622520.

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Dry Pod by Go Travel

melo — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:19:50 +0000

I’ve gotta tell you that when I go out for an island hopping or even when Im going to an outdoor trip, I tend to leave my iPod at home so that I don’t ruin it by getting it wet. Even with a regular cover or a plastic lined case, I have still always felt like my iPod was exposed to too much danger. But, that was before I got the Dry Pod by Go Travel.

Go Travel Dry Pod

With this handy little dealio with a funky fresh style and more than a little bit of protection, I can take my tunes with me just about anywhere I want to go.

The waterproof container is good down to depths of three meters, so actually, I can even take it snorkeling with me! Never mind about the rain. The great thing about the Dry Pod is that it makes sure that my iPod stays safe and dry and just in case I want to have it close to me, it comes with an adjustable neck strap too. There are so many important things that you need to secure when you travel, just like visitor insurance USA, you also have to secure your things to avoid damages to your gadgets.

Waterproof Case

With a suggested retail price of just 650 php, that’s a bargain since it is 100% waterproof and a reasonable 13 cm x 8 cm x 3 cm so that it holds not only your iPod but also your wallet, keys, cash, and more. If you are worried, now you can even surf with the thing on…of course, that doesn’t mean you can listen to the music while you surf…yet.

So, next time it’s raining, I’ll just bring my iPod with me and when the sun comes out, I’ll take it out of the case and enjoy the music.

This product is available in ROX and Travel Club

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Passing the time at Changi Airport in Singapore

melo — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:55:53 +0000

It happens. You get to the airport and your flight is delayed or you are in Singapore for a connecting flight but you have couple of more hours to wait.

You’re stuck at Changi Airport in Singapore. Now, what are you going to do while you wait? Good thing you are in a place where there is no shortage of things to do.

Orchid Garden in Singapore Airport

In fact, you are lucky because this is one of the most interesting airports in the world so there is no reason to be bored or bummed out as you wait. For those with work to do, Changi offers full service business centers, free WiFi and more than 550 free Internet terminals.

Transit Duty Free Shopping in Changi Airport

If you’d prefer to relax and watch some television, you will find lounges with multiple TV stations including Bloomberg, CNN, and Sports. Free of charge.

Entertainment Deck

If your cellphone battery is running low, don’t worry – there are free mobile charging stations throughout the airport. That’s not all though. The airport also offers free gaming. You can play Xbox, PS3, or LAN games for free.

Rooftop Swimming Pool

Maybe you want to watch a film. Changi has movie theaters! One of these is the 3D Experience Zone! Awesome. But, if you are more interested in the arts, there is an art gallery too. This is less like an airport than a resort. Remember back when you were happy with plastic seats and a snack bar?

Play area

And, of course there is plenty of shopping. Don’t worry, there are many more options than just the duty free. In fact, Changi has more entertainment options than most cities do. A rooftop swimming pool, butterfly and sunflower gardens, orchid gardens, and a specialized viewing gallery for watching planes land and take off.

It just gets better and better. You can take a nap in specialized snooze chairs or even get a massage! The ladies can get hair and body treatments while the kids have fun in the play-zones or the woodblock rubbing stations and Dad can have a drink in the lounges with his own bottle and the cocktails made by a professional.

Sunflower Garden

Of course, all that fun might make you hungry or thirsty. Don’t worry, more than a hundred and thirty food and drink venues await you. Live music rounds out the fun.

Never mind the flight. Singapore is my next vacation destination.

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Enjoy relaxation time at fine resorts with Smart Rewards

melo — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:45:17 +0000

Rain or shine, everyone deserves some “me” time. Just lounging at the pool, dipping in the hot tub, sipping some icy beverage or getting a reinvigorating massage can make the stress fade away. By spending days off or holidays at favorite spas, gyms, or resorts, you can get that much-needed and well-deserved escape.

Boracay Terraces Resort

Enriching “me” time for its loyal users, Smart lets subscribers enjoy their time off with unique privileges that let them get the most out of their vacations. At the finest resorts and other top establishments, they can pamper themselves even more with discounts and freebies exclusively available through Smart Rewards.

Coron Getaway Resort

Qualified Smart Gold and Smart Buddy subscribers can enjoy special privileges by joining Smart Rewards just by texting “REWARDS” to 9800, while Smart Bro subs can sign up at the Smart Web Connect website at http://smart.com.ph/connect.

Residence Inn Fun Activities

To avail exclusive gifts such as discounts or free items at their favorite vacation spots, subscribers should simply text “COUPON < code >” to 9800. Over a dozen participating resorts and hotels across the country await subscribers who wish to redeem their Smart Rewards discount coupons.

Residence Inn Tagaytay

Accommodation arrangements and purchases can be enjoyed for less, thanks to Smart Rewards. The Alegre Beach Resort and Spa in Cebu provides subscribers a 40% discount on room rates, Oasis Hotel in Pampanga offers 10% off on cash purchases, and Boracay Terraces Resort and Coron Gateway Hotel and Suites give 10% off for every 2-night stay.

Zoobic Safari

Microtel hotels are included in the rewards program as well, with Microtel Boracay giving the vacationers a huge 50% discount on room rates; Microtel hotels in Baguio, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Cavite, Mall of Asia, Puerto Princesa and Tarlac giving 30% off on room rates; and Microtel Davao offering 20% discount on room rates.

Microtel in Cavite

Smart Rewards subscribers can also get 20% off on entrance fees to fun recreational spots such as Zoobic Zafari in Subic, Zoocobia Fun Zoo in Clark, Paradizoo Theme Park in Tagaytay, and Residence Inn in Tagaytay.

Families and friends can enjoy de-stressing together, rain or shine, by redeeming their Smart Rewards coupons at these cool and relaxing hotels and theme parks. Smart Rewards are replete with relevant and exclusive gifts that will appeal to the busy urbanite, making that special “me” time even more rewarding.

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5 Hours in Macau

melo — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:37:56 +0000

Lets go to Macau! – Paula said during our second day in Hong Kong for our Disneyland tour. We pretty much enjoyed everything in Disneyland and we thought, It would be nice to explore Macau and meet her sister who works and lives in Macau.

Europe or Asia? – Its Macau

Before heading to Macau, we went to Citygate Outlet Shopping Center located in Tung Chung MTR Station for a short window shopping. Thanks to MTR Tourist Day Pass, we were able to enjoy unlimited MTR use for only HK$55. From Tung Chung, we passed by six MTR stations till we reach Hong Kong station to buy some souvenirs and have some snacks in Jollibee HK. From the Central Station, it took us almost 30 minutes by foot to reach the HK-Macau ferry terminal.

Paula in Jollibee Hong Kong

CotaiJet departs from the Hong Kong-Macao ferry terminal in Sheung Wan every 30 minutes throughout the day from 7:00 a.m., and every hour on the hour after 7:00 p.m.

Hong Kong – Macau Ferry Tickets

Upon arrival in Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal, we took the complimentary shuttle bus courtesy of Hotel Lisboa Macau to reach downtown Macau. There are other free buses offering free shuttle service for casino and hotel guests. In fact the Wynn Resorts and Venetian Hotel also offers free shuttle bus ride between the Taipa Terminal and the respective hotels.

Paulas Tru Blueberry Cheesecake

It was past 6pm when we started walking around the streets of Avenida Almeida Ribeiro – one of the most popular Macau shopping streets, featuring everything from high-end luxury boutiques to traditional Chinese delicacies like dried sharks’ fin and abalone.

Macau Immigration in Hong Kong

Not far from the square, if you follow Rua Nossa Senhora do Amparo to Rua da Tercena, you will find the original artisan section of Macau. I enjoyed walking in the narrow streets, seing fellow tourists and friendly locals while sampling some local delicasies. From ancient Chinese herbal therapies to cutting-edge electronics, Macau shopping offers treasure for everyone!

Casino in Macau

Macau offers vacationers a unique mix of Western and Eastern influences through its baroque churches, Art Deco buildings, and Chinese temples. In 2005, the Historic Center of Macau, located in the center of the peninsula, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. It consists of historic residential, religious, and public Portuguese and Chinese architectural legacies including the A-Ma Temple, Senado Square, Dom Pedro V Theater, Na Tcha Temple, Casa Garden, the Old Protestant Cemetery and the old headquarters of the British East Indies Company.

Sweet Fix at Citygate Outlet Shopping Center

Before heading to the Venetian Hotel, we passed by The Ruins of St Paul’s Church at the Historic Centre of Macau to have some souvenir photos. The road was surprisingly clear and it less that 30 minutes we finally reached The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. As you know, I don’t play cards and Casino is not in my vocabulary either so, I just explored the shopping strip inside the hotel hunting for a perfect pair of Converse shoes.

Shopping in Macau

The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel is too huge to explore and there’s too many things to see, too bad we had to head back to Taipa Ferry Terminal to catch the late evening ferry back to Hong Kong.

Melo Villareal in Macau

If you’re planning a Macau day tour and need to get back to Hong Kong at the end of the day, it’s better to leave HK early and take the latest schedule from Macau to Hong Kong so you can maximize your Macau tour and catch the stunning lights of Asia’s Las Vegas and see it in its brilliant glory at night.

To reach Macau from Hong Kong there are several outlets where you can buy Cotai Jet Ferry Tickets. Please check their website http://cotaijet.com.mo/ for the latest information: Tel. Nos.: Customer Services: Hong Kong (852) 23599990, Macau (853) 28850595; Business Sales Inquiries: Hong Kong (852) 28591482.

In Macau you can also buy your tickets at the Ferry Terminals, the Venetian and Sands Hotels. Taipa Ferry Terminal: Tel: (853) 2885 0092; Operation hours: open 24hours; Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal: Tel: (853) 2872 8817

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Vans Rocks Trinoma this September

melo — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:13:49 +0000

Mark your calendar and join this rockin event in Trinoma on September 17, 2011; 4:00-8:00 PM. The event will be hosted by KC Montero and beats by DJ Skratchmark of Wave 89.1 and DJ MOD of Showtime.

Vans Rocks Trinoma Mall

Lots of surprises, discounts and giveaways for shoppers like if you buy any Vans item, you will get a chance to get FREE stickers, tshirt, and lanyard (until supplies last).

VANS is the first and original skateboard shoe company since 1966. You can buy Vans items in the following branches: Marquee Mall, Pampanga : Robinsons Galleria : Glorietta 3 : Robinsons Ermita : Greenbelt3 : Ayala Cebu : Trinoma and Abreeza Davao.

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Run to the Great Adidas Sale and Get up to 70% off

melo — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:14:08 +0000

Good News! You can now buy your favorite Adidas travel and sports gear on a discounted rate in the upcoming Adidas Sale 2011.

Run the the Great Adidas Sale 2011

Run to the Great Adidas Sale from September 9 to 11, 2011, 11AM to 9PM at the Blue Leaf Pavilion, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig! Avail huge discounts Up to 70% off on marked down items.

Entrance is free for Metrobank cardholders.

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Primer Group Bodega Sale 2011 : Travel Gears for Less

melo — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:22:27 +0000

Are you a regular shopper in the Travel Club, ROX and Bratpack?

Primer Group, the official and exclusive Philippine distributor of The North Face, Columbia, Kickers, Sanuk, Samsonite, Delsey and Jansport will be having their annual Bodega Sale 2011 in Binondo this August 1 to August 6, 2011. Get Ready for Great Deals with up to 80% discount on selected items.

Primer Group of Companies Bodega Sale 2011

I’ve been visiting Prime Group office in Binondo yearly for their Bodega Sale to buy Columbia Pants, The North Face jacket and other Camping Gears.

Aside from school bags, hiking and travel bags, mens and womens shoes, clothings, luggages and camping gears, I was surprised last year to see some kitchen utensils also on sale. Primer Group of Companies Bodega Sale is located at the G/F of State Center Building in 333 Juan Luna St. Binondo, Manila.

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National Geographic Shop in VivoCity Singapore

melo — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:12:10 +0000

You’ve gotta love National Geographic. If you are like most people, it was probably that yellow bordered magazine that inspired you to travel in the first place, or maybe it was the great documentaries, or maybe it was the maps that they include in every issue or maybe…just maybe it was because you were inspired by the many expeditions they have sponsored from the recovery of the Titanic to entering King Tut’s tomb to the exploration of the Nile and the entire world.

National Geographic Gallery in VivoCity

Well, if you love National Geographic, the one place you don’t want to miss is the new National Geographic store in Singapore’s VivoCity Mall. While there are other National Geographic stores, there are none like this. That’s because this one is in Singapore and this is the great mixing bowl of Asia where the many cultures, races, and people of the world meet in one transformed city that is part country, part city, and part state. One thing for sure, it’s all good.

NatGeo Shop in VivoCity

The store is located in Singapore’s largest shopping mall and while you might expect it to be in a more exotic location, since this is a retail establishment, it makes sense it’s not on the edge or some volcano or deep in the heart of the jungle. What you will see though is plenty of exotic photography, great gear, and of course, that yellow border we all recognize and love.

National Geographic Store in Singapore

Just in case you are wondering, the store is run and owned by the nonprofit group and all of the proceeds go to funding the many projects and expeditions which the company still sponsors and leads. Also, rather than trying to feel like just another retail space, National Geographic has tried to keep the feel of the museum in place so that while you shop, you are also exploring new wonders. Since it’s founding in 1888, National Geographic has inspired humans all over the planet with educational, scientific, and fun research. It’s been successful, just consider that in Singapore there are more than 100,000 subscribers!

The store hosts regular lectures and film screenings with some of the greatest living explorers, photographers and writers coming from across the world to address audiences.

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