Manila Guide Online

Thrift stores, or ukay ukay shops as it is called in the local language, abound Metro Manila and major cities in other regions. These stores are our version of the Salvation Army. The items sold here are mostly used and they range from anything including handkerchief and toys. If you really have the patience to go through the racks and piles, you may just find an authentic brand of designer clothes or bag for the lowest price ever.

If you don’t have a skyrocket budget, the ukay ukay should be the best place to go if you’re looking for something fashionable and trendy. Prices of items usually range from P10 to P400. Sometimes, there are special deals, like buying three blouses for P50.00.

In Manila, the best ukay places to go to are located in the following areas:

• Blumentritt cor Rizal Ave near the Mercury Drug
• Kamuning Area, beside the Chowking fast food chain
• Araneta Center in Cubao, at the Quezon Theater Bldg.
• JP Rizal Makati Ave in the Lucky Star Bldg.
• Marcos Hi-way in Marikina Marikina City
• Cainta Junction in Cainta, Rizal
• At the back of the POEA Bldg in Ortigas.

Ukay stores also abound in Davao City along Ponciano St. Uyanguren St and at the Bankerohan Market. There, rows and rows of stores sell very good condition clothes for P10 to P120 only. Never anything above that.

In Cebu City, you can find Ukay stores in Colon St, at the Carbon District as well as in Tabunok, Talisay City.

Mind you, even affluent Filipinos who can afford to pay brand new scour the thrift stores to get the best deals.

I couldn’t help but notice the improvement in the Greenhills area in San Juan City, Philippines. Unlike before when traffic would get all tied up, it seems that traffic has been decongested. No longer can you see the people who carelessly double part despite “No Parking” signs placed. I guess it is all because of the clamping zones enforced.

For the record, if you park at areas where parking is not allowed, it looks like you will be parking there on an extended fashion. Unless you are able to pay a penalty of P1,000.00 and have the tire clamps removed, you are not going anywhere.

Some people are just cheapskates. Parking over at the Greenhills Shopping Center only costs about Php 20.00 for 3 hours and an additional 10 thereafter. Why would you want to avoid that if you want to worry less about being clamped.

Unlike in other cities where they tow, Barangay Greenhills employs a park there permanently procedure. It may not be pretty, especially if you get caught in the fines of Php 1,000.00 issue but the law is the law.

Lastly, why would you park in a No Parking zone? Unless you have not be educated, I guess the logical thing to do is pay a small amount of parking fees in place of inconvenience and of course a horrendous time trying to leave when you are done shopping.