I stumbled into the Lagusnilad underpass one rainy afternoon last month, dodging puddles and trying…read moreto cut through from Taft to City Hall. Wasn't even looking for books--just wanted dry feet--but there it was, this cozy little chaos of shelves tucked between the clothing stalls. The smell hit me first: old paper, a bit of dust, and that unmistakable comfort of a real secondhand bookstore. The guy behind the counter (think his name was Aj?) looked up, smiled like he'd been expecting me, and asked what I was in the mood for. No pressure, just genuine curiosity. I ended up spending almost an hour there, flipping through worn paperbacks and hardcovers that felt like they'd lived interesting lives. Found a beat-up but complete set of Garcia Marquez short stories for P250 and a pristine copy of "The Shadow of the Wind" that I'd been hunting forever. Prices were ridiculously fair--nothing over P400--and the selection is surprisingly deep for such a small space: classics, Filipino lit, sci-fi, even some niche non-fiction. They've got everything neatly sorted by genre now (huge improvement from the early days I've heard about), and if something's buried in the back, they'll dig it out without making you feel like you're inconveniencing them. What really sealed it for me was the conversation. We chatted about favorite authors, he recommended a couple of newer Filipino titles I hadn't heard of, and even held a book I wanted for a few days when I realized I didn't have enough cash. Super chill, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about books--not just selling them. I've been back twice since, and every time it feels like visiting an old friend who happens to run the best hidden bookstore in Manila. If you're anywhere near Intramuros or Taft, duck in--you won't regret it. Absolute gem. Five bright, dusty, book-scented stars.

As a new university library, we need new books with subject coverage on Business Administration…read moreProgram and courses. We need books on every BA books avaiable locally from your bookshop. Please send me list of all books / titles under the course program Business Administration. Under each are courses or subjects with titles of books on them. Kindly send to my email address: dickorense77@gmail.com and deorense@amaes.edu.ph My contact no is 09293172259. Thank you and best regards, Dr. Dick E. Orense, Ed.D.

I have this problem where I cannot walk into a bookstore and then walk out empty handed. I'm a big…read morebookworm and saying goodbye to an entire store filled with books without a book for myself is just unthinkable. That's like hiring a prostitute, giving her a hug, and then sending her away. Actually, it's worse than that. EXPLOIT THE OPPORTUNITY, methinks. This is especially hard when it comes to secondhand or cheap bookstores like Bookay-Ukay. This place is amazing. It is filled from ceiling to floor with books - and not the usual crap you see in chain bookstores, either. You can tell that these titles were handpicked by whoever manages this place, and you're sure to find something you like in this hole-in-the-wall. My girlfriend had to drag me away from these books. I wanted to buy the entire building.

Finally visited the store, saw one of my fave comic books and bought it. never knew that I could…read moreget one for a such a low-cost. I'll definitely visit the store again for sure.

What saved us from having to scout Recto to look for references or books is Goodwill which is just…read morea few walks away from UP Manila. We were surprised at how some books were already available here and some are even way cheaper than the ones sold brand new. We were also able to purchase additional or supplemental text books that would help us in reviewing especially for neuroanatomy. They also have other books for other fields or professions such as accountancy, midwifery, nursing, etc. That's somehow surprising because you'd kind of wonder how all these books fit in such a small space. Gallifreyan technology perhaps? (If you're a Whovian you might get this reference). They also sell a few office supplies which also saves you time and effort from walking all the way from UP Manila all the way to NBS in Rob Ermita especially if you're running there just to purchase a pen or an envelope.

I'm probably the only Pinoy I know who hates the concept of Filipino time, and as such, when my…read morefriends and I decide to meet up, I'm often the first to arrive. To kill time, I always, ALWAYS go to the bookstore. It's not difficult for me to wander around a bookstore, find a gem that I can read or leaf through for hours and hours. Before I know it, my phone starts beeping incessantly, flooded with messages from my friends, asking me where the hell I am. Fully Booked in Rockwell has always been one of my favorite bookstores in the metro, partly because I've been going here since it was still called Page One, and located at the ground floor of the mall. The book selection, from the new age section, the cooking section to the graphic novels (if this gives you any indication of what kind of person I am) are always well-stocked. I even enjoy the bestsellers they have on display, which are always timely and unique. The layout of the store is large enough for me to always find a quiet spot to read without being harassed by anything or anyone - except maybe for my cellphone. I should just probably put it on silent mode, I guess.

There are three major bookstores in the Philippines: National Bookstore, Powerbooks and Fully…read moreBooked. National Bookstore is the most comprehensive when it comes to textbooks but Fully Booked is the best with all others. They have a great selection, far more detailed and complete than other bookstores. They also have a lot of rare books and special editions. Aside from their collection, the customer service of Fully Booked is fantastic. The staff is always bright-eyed and well-mannered. They smile with you and easily remember who you are. They also have several services that are unique to Fully Booked branches alone. For one, you can reserve books before they even come out. Once the book becomes available Fully Booked will notify you through text that your book has arrived. You can also have books transferred from one branch to another. If a book is only available in the Fort or even, Cebu, you can have it transferred to the branch nearest you. Another service is if the book that you want is out of stock, you can ask them to replenish their inventory. All these are of no extra cost to you. Also, if the book that you want isn't in their database, you can request them to order it for you also with no extra charge. Most bookstores charge double for this service. Downside, it will usually take them 4 to 8 weeks to get here but that's usually the estimate regardless of where you ask it from. There's also a common misconception that Fully Booked is the more expensive bookstore. People think they charge more for their books, if you scout around though and compare prices you will be surprised to find that more often than not, Fully Booked is the one that sells the book at a lower price. I am speaking of the same quality, the same edition; it's cheaper.

No, the store or stores here are not named Unnamed. They simply sell DVDs which are illegal, but…read morewhich the city silently tolerates because it gives employment to a lot of people. I was walking in the Quiapo area a few days ago. While there, a guy approached me and asked me if I wanted to buy "BluRay quality" DVDs. I really wasn't all that interested, but I have been wanting to watch the Netflix series Daredevil. Since Netflix is not (yet) available in the Philippines, and because I don't want to download the series, I've been looking for a copy, legal or otherwise. The guy said they may have a copy, and that I should follow him. This didn't feel right. I mean, it was broad daylight, but his asking me to enter one of the old buildings in the area didn't feel too safe, but I went anyway. I was surprised. I had known that the Muslim section of Quiapo used to be the place to buy cheap DVDs. Here, on the other side of Quezon Boulevard, was a glass door that had no number and no signage. In I went and discovered store after store selling nothing but DVDs. The place was air-conditioned and was not wanting in customers. To cut to the chase, I got my copy of Daredevil for P40. I also got a copy of The Flash as well as Agents of SHIELD. I couldn't take photos, of course. Not at the risk of bodily harm. But I was able to take a shot outside. I may or may not go back one of these days.

If you are looking for rare Filipiniana books, this is one bookstore that you can go to. Located in…read morethe 4th floor of the Silahis Center, this book shop and gift store has quite the collection of literary works, especially featuring the writings of renowned literary authors and essayists from the Philippines. Some of the books here are old and dusty, which is kinda sad because that somehow reflects most of the public's disregard for our very own authors, putting a primer on foreign and Western authors more instead. That's a little sayang, considering that the Philippines has always had this rich literary tradition that has defined the voice of different generations of Filipinos. It is sad to think that this bookshop may already be in its twilight hours, since the general state of neglect and disrepair just goes to show that this place doesn't really earn a lot of money. I think it is time to do our part in helping these businesses out the best way we can. We can start by recognizing that our local authors can produce impressive works in all genres that can compete with other foreign bestselling authors. Aside from their collection of aging and somehow tattered Filipiniana a books they also have a big collection stamps and coins that are enough to send even the most hardcore collectors atwitter with excitement.

Going into Intramuros, I can't fault you if you expect to swim in a veritable flood of Filipino…read moreculture and heritage, and this place is one of the best places to go to if you want to experience just that. Lauded as one of the oldest bookstores in the country, it also has one of the best collections of rare (and ancient) books. Aside from the old and limited-edition books, you can also browse through their art and antique collections. Bring a lot of moolah if you're into collecting - the pieces can be a bit pricey.

In the era of technology and high-tech implements, I think printed books are still relevant. I work…read morein the e-learning industry, and I honestly think that print is still very much alive, and it could be used to complement the emerging technology that is transforming the way we learn and interact with the information that we encounter everyday. I love books, and by extension, I love bookstores that sell them. While I love browsing at shelves in bookstores in malls and popular shopping establishments, I also love going to offbeat and independent bookstores like Solidaridad to do my part in helping them maintain their business. I was leafing through my cousin's Lonely Planet Philippines copy (she was born and raised in Australia) and found this bookshop on the listings. The fact that it is listed in an international guide makes it legit - a rare gem in the middle of seedy and sketchy Malate. These bookshops are slowly dying out, unfortunately, but Solidaridad still stands tall in the P. Faura area. I love going here because I usually find a lot of Filipiniana, such as short stories by F. Sionil Jose (who also owns this bookshop) and Lualhati Bautista. There are interesting books on Filipino folklore, mythology and customs. You can also find back issues of international magazines and publications such as The New Yorker and The Atlantic. The books are relatively cheap, and I love that they have rare books that you may not exactly find in other bookstores. My heart races when I am in this store and I am right at home in between the stacks of books and literature that are just waiting for me to discover.

Solidaridad is by far the most vintage book shop I've ever been to in Manila. There's that huge…read moreamount of nostalgia that you'll feel once you enter the shop. It makes you feel as if you were living during the time of Rizal and the Insulares. What's also special about this shop is that most of the books here are Filipino published. The books you'll see in here are definitely cultural gems. Not all book shops nowadays put emphasis or cater to Filipino writers. Having Solidaridad gives hope to Filipino writers and publishers because there's still a place that will sell their work. Apart from books made by Filipinos, there are also books from well-known international authors. One of them is Haruki Murakami who is also one of my favourite authors. The prices are a bit higher compared to other book shops. I guess this is reasonable because not a lot of people get to visit the place because it's a hole in the wall type of store. I've been studying for years in UP Manila which is just a few blocks away but I just found out about the place last month.

With more and more interest going into the "nerdy" or "geek" culture, comic shops and hobby shops…read morehave arisen to provide specialty shop services to the growing population. So, where would one go for both? One option would be Filbar's, which manages to sell comic books, cards and figurines of superheroes and occasionally favorite fantasy characters from Japanese Anime as well. With these shops scattered all over, one can imagine a network of these subcultures managing to tell each other about the latest small place where one can pick up a comic or a toy or even a card game that caters to their hobbies and interests. This branch of Filbar's in particular is conveniently located inside a mall and looks more like an open stall than an enclosed store thus permitting even girls like me to get in on the trend. The layout and location of the store diminishes any sense of hesitation that uninitiated yet curious passersby may feel and the general interest magazines displayed in the front portion seems to be an effective ploy to get any mall-goer to do the first step: check out the store. With Filbar's around, we can be comfortable showing our curiosity and openness for this new culture.

This shop is at the second floor of the Ayala mall and easily caught our attention - very…read morebeautifully decorated, spacious and cozy. They sell second hand books - they have a lot of books on hand and they were stacked neatly for easier browsing. They also have cool items like scratch maps, globe stress ball, adventure banks, etc. Highly recommended for book and novelty item enthusiasts.

I am a very regular customer at SM Hypermarket and one of my most frequently visited establishments…read morewould hands down have to be Books for Less. Few things make me happier than sticking my nose in a book so when I found out that the store was no longer as big as it used to be, it made me sad. However, BFS continues to provide a decent selection of fiction and nonfiction books that one can peruse and purchase from. I've found many a gem here, and I'm glad that places like this exist as where would society be without the written word.