The Philippines or the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ appeals to visitors for its intriguing mix of history and its towering skyscrapers. A popular place to go is the walled area of Intramuros, the capital of the Philippines during Spanish rule. Old dungeons and gunpowder rooms sit alongside art galleries, theatres, museums, shops, parks, and churches; there is much to see, do, and buy! A lively night scene, with edgy art galleries and speakeasy bars, lining alongside artisan markets and cafes, you’ll have a lot to shop in this cool city. Let our guide to what to buy in Manila, Philippines help you out!
1. Piña Cloth
Piña is a Spanish word that means “pineapple.” The fabric is made out of pineapple leaves which results in a soft, comfortable material. It is also durable and long-lasting, which makes it a top choice for formal clothing such as wedding dresses.
Carolina's Lace Shoppe,
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 9am to 6pm
Address: 4648 Arellano Avenue Corner Dian Street, Makati, Dian St, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Website: Carolina’s Lace Shoppe
2. Pearls
The Philippines is part of an ancient trade route that traded pearls with the Chinese for good reason, as the South Sea frontier of the Philippines has the perfect environment for growing large, gold-lipped oysters. These oysters yield the deep gold pearls famous in the country. While these do not come cheap, they are a worthy investment for the jewellery collector. Buy them at an established store like Jewelmer to ensure authenticity.
Jewelmer
Address: Ground Floor, Commerce Mall Alabang Town Center,Muntinlupa City
Opening hours: Mon-Sunday 10-8pm
Website: Jewelmer
3. Halo-halo
Filipinos have a sweet tooth, and you’ll find this reflected in their yummy desserts. Halo-halo is one such dessert. Many shops sell this ice-cold treat, made out of ice, milk, ice cream, canned fruits and flavoured jellies. This is a must-try after dinner!
Café Via Mare's Halo-Halo
Address: Landmark Makati, West St Cor. Palm Dr. Cor Makati Ave, Makati, 1223 Metro Manila, Philippines
Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday 11:00am - 7:30pm Friday - Saturday 11:00am - 8:30pm
Website: Café Via Mare’s Halo-Halo(https://www.viamare.com.ph/)
Tip from Trip101 local expert
My family loves halo-halo so much that I used to sell these at our sari-sari store when I was a kid. Whenever we eat out, we sample the halo-halo - we're on a mission to find the best one! Via Mare is really good, but another one of our favorites is from Milky Way Cafe at Rockwell. Evaporated milk is best since the ingredients - beans, bananas, jackfruit - are already sweetened. A good halo-halo should be topped off with ube (purple yam) ice cream and leche flan. The challenge is learning how to mix it all together like a pro!
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4. Wood Carvings
The country is renowned for their craftsmanship, and you’ll be able to find wood carved into intricate sculptures. Whether it’s an ashtray, a bowl, or dining utensils you need, these beautiful pieces of artwork are a great souvenir choice! You can find wood carvings at almost any speciality shops that sell souvenirs, but Balikbayan Handicrafts offers a vast variety of beauty souvenirs, and you can save time browsing in this store.
Balikbayan Handicrafts
Address: 1010 Antonio Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, 1223 Philippines
Opening hours: 10-8pm Monday-Sunday
Website: Balikbayan Handicrafts
Tip from Trip101 local expert
Wood carvings are pretty easy to find here. Whether you want them as a gift or to display at your house, it's as simple as going online or heading to the mall. The chain store we frequent is Kultura Filipino but most of the time you're likely to find them at touristy spots. One time we were on the road driving home from Tagaytay and a peddler was selling these hand-carved wooden motorbikes. My dad just rolled down his window and started haggling. You can buy some really nice pieces to decorate or useful things like trays and keyholders. This is a staple in the souvenir industry!
Manila Tour Guide
Margareth Ng
Manila Tour Guide
Jerick Magat
Manila Tour Guide
Alvin Salen
Hi I'm looking forward to be your tour guide in Manila. I'm 20 years in tourism industry in the country and will take you to the historical sites in Manila such as the 400 year old Spanish fortress.
Tours by Alvin
5. Barako Coffee
Barako coffee is named after the Tagalog word for a wild boar. Expect to find it to live up to its name, with the coffee strong and usually served black, or sweetened with muscovado sugar. Many coffee connoisseurs have discovered and laud Barako for its unusual and robust flavour. Stop at any hip cafe or drop by popular cafe Bag of Beans and bring a packet of Barako coffee home with you today.
Bag of Beans Cafe and Restaurant
Address: 115 Aguinaldo Highway | Mendez Crossing West, Tagaytay, Luzon, Philippines +63 46 413 4356
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 630am-10pm
Website: Bag of Beans Cafe and Restaurant
6. Shell Craft
With the fourth longest coastline in the world, the Philippines definitely has an abundance of seashells. While shell craft can be found at any souvenir store, the best place to visit would be the largest shell factory in the Philippines, Tribesmen Product. You’ll get to tour around to see how seashells are sourced and put together into a final product. There is also a large shell craft store for travellers to buy their favourite shell item.
Tribesmen Product Enterprise
Address: 32 Sao Paolo Street, Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm; Saturday, 8am - 4pm
Website: Tribesmen Product Enterprise
7. Bamboo Baul
Baul is a Spanish word for chest or trunk. A decorative chest made out of bamboo shoots, this product came about as a result of trade with China back in the 1500s. An interesting souvenir as a conversation-starter, it comes in various sizes and can be bought at Kultura Filipino.
Kultura Filipino
Address: 2nd floor SM Ayala, Makati City
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 10AM–9PM
Website: Kultura Filipino
8. Snacks and Condiments
Dried mangoes are a fond favourite of visitors when they come to PhilippinesPhilippines, and no wonder- the mangoes from Cebu are so delicious, they have been repackaged for easy eating by drying them up, which retains their lush, sweet flavour while still remaining easy to transport. 100% fat-free, they come in strips, cubes, and even chips! Try them (and buy them!) at Kulture Filipina.
Kultura Filipino
Address: 2nd floor SM Ayala, Makati City
Opening hours Monday-Sunday: 10AM–9PM
Website: Kultura Filipino
9. Walis Tambo
A broom made out of dried stalks of flower and grass, it comes from Baguio City and is an efficient tool to keep your house clean. A better alternative to the vacuum cleaner as it is not just biodegradable and environmentally-friendly, the sweeper also gets a good workout! Buy them from the Baguio City Market, and explore the bustling market while you’re there.
Baguio City Market
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Address: Magsaysay Ave, Baguio, 2600 Benguet, Philippines
Website: Baguio City Market
Tip from Trip101 local expert
This is another item that you'll find in every Filipino household. You'll also probably run across vendors selling these on the streets or at the market. After all, why break out the vacuum cleaner when you have this super handy way of cleaning your floors? Just drag this all the way out the door like I do or pair it with a dustpan and you're good to go. They're also really sturdy, so if you get one of these, they'll last you a good long while!
10. Mini Jeepney
Jeepneys came about as a result of the U.S military jeeps that were left behind in World War 2. The Philipinos decided to use them as buses, and in present times they are a mode of transport for the locals and can be seen travelling the roads with their fancily decorated exteriors. It has become a symbol of the country’s culture and art. A great souvenir to bring home would be the mini version of the jeepneys, which you can buy at Balikbayan Handicrafts.
Balikbayan Handicrafts
Address: 1010 Antonio Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, 1223 Philippines
Opening hours: 10-8pm Monday-Sunday
Website: Balikbayan Handicraftse
Souvenir shopping in Manila done right
Of course, this list is not exhaustive of the items you can buy in Manila as souvenirs, but these are the highlights of the country’s attractions. The Philippines has a unique cultural heritage, and you’ll find the Spanish and American influence mixed with local culture, which results in unusual and distinctive products. This cultural mix means you’ll find a lot to buy and take home for your loved ones. Hopefully, this list helps to narrow down your shopping as well as taught you some interesting points about the products you’re buying!
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