I was in grade school when Tamiya became popular like a bat out of hell. Some anime, I totally…read moreforget the name, was responsible for popularizing it. If there was ever a country that was good at making shows that popularized merchandise it was Japan. Anyway, at its height, a Tamiya was to kids as cars are to grownups. Not that you could actually ride on a Tamiya mind you. Anyway, if you wanted really good parts, then the only place you could ever go to was Lil's. I used to ask a lot of my classmates where the would get their parts and most of them would point me towards Lil's. I'm surprised that this still place still stands. Walking right by it filled me with a certain sense of nostalgia and a desire to get back into an old hobby. I wonder what else they're selling in their store today?

With board games making comeback, are you wondering where you can buy your own? First stop for most…read moretabletop gamers would be Neutral Grounds. Boardgames, Magic the Gathering and other LCGs (Living Card Games) are readily available, and they sell gaming accessories like dice, protective card sleeves, containers for small game pieces, and figurines (for games like Dungeons and Dragons). Some of the bigger branches (like the one in Centris Walk) have a gaming area too! Their staff are pretty familiar with most of the games they carry, so you can ask them about expansions and other editions of the game. If the game you want isn't available, you can leave your contact number with them, make a reservation, and they'll inform you when they get a copy. No down payment needed but if they message you be sure to confirm your reservation right away, or they might have to sell the game to a ready buyer!

Neutral Grounds has existed way before the tabletop gaming boom in recent times, so they could…read moreprobably have a big fat "Uh yeah, we were here first" sign hanging over their shops. Though I've always known them more as a place for Magic The Gathering cards and Warhammer models and their corresponding supplies: card boxes and sleeves, or paint sets and dice, I've seen them gain a little more steam with all the gaming places that have popped up all over the metro. I've noticed that the stuff they sell are a tad more expensive than you would in the gaming places, but not by much. And since Neutral Grounds is almost everywhere, getting a great game from them would probably be easier as well. This branch is particularly chock full of games that would probably be harder to come by in other branches, since it is in Virra Mall, Greenhills, and come now, how many people actually end up here, at the third floor of Virra Mall, Greenhills?

When I lived in various parts of the Metro from the late 80's to the late 90's, I'd always make my…read moreway to the Makati location. Even now in 2024 I find myself there buying some kits while on vacation. Found a few kits that were cheaper than in the US, since I'm here might as well take advantage. Staff was always helpful and knowledgeable, they knew what was on the shelves.

Nice convenient shop for scale modellers, there are selection of Academy Tamiya, Hobbyboss,…read moreTrumpeter, Airfix, Dragon models I've remember. Some RC car parts are also available (I'm not a RC guy) Recommended.

Build City is basically a toy store that specializes in everything that requires a sort of hands on…read moreapproach to building something. There are models. Then you have Lego and who in this world or in their right mind doesn't love Lego right? Heck you even have those insane thousand piece like puzzles which you think is too difficult or just plain borderline insane to solve. It's fun walking into this kind of store. When I grow up and have a kid I fully intend to get him something from this store. Toys like these are often underrated and are actually good for kids. It helps stimulate their brain and promote and instill in them some sense of creativity and foresight. If you're a parent who wants to raise your kid right, then I strongly suggest that you get them something from this store. I don't think you can go wrong with doing so.

The other main source of geeky gaming goodies in the Greenhills complex, Fortress stands out as an…read morealternative to the stranglehold that Neutral Grounds has on the local tabletop gaming scene. It's quite small and quite hidden, located around the curve of V-Mall's Toy Kingdom towards the infamous Greenhills Hall of Secondhand Cellphones and Gadgetry. In Fortress you will find the games that Neutral Grounds may not carry - from casual games like Cards Against Humanity to more hardcore ones like the new Robotech miniatures game. Fortress is also the bastion of Warmachine tabletop gamers (the game to end the general staleness of the Warhammer 40k line and ruleset) and of the ever-growing legion of young Vanguard players. They also hold sell numerous Magic: The Gathering and Vanguard singles to add that extra oomph to your deck. So go ahead. Take a pick among Fortress' selection of games, or order one if you wish. Either way, you'll be sure to enjoy it.

Maestro Bing is awesome. He's a legend in the magician communit, a true master of the craft. I was…read morejust 5 years old when my dad first brought me to Abracadabra in Greenhills. That little magic shop left such a huge mark on me. Now I'm 20, and after all these years, I finally got to meet the legend himself again. It honestly almost brought me to tears. Abracadabra isn't just a store, it's history. It's where dreams start for so many of us. The smell of the props, the walls full of masks, the quiet excitement of wondering what trick you'll take home next... it all came rushing back. Maestro Bing even took the time to teach me a trick he came up with, one he hasn't shown just anyone. That meant the world to me. I'm proud to say I'm now passing on what I know to my younger brother, just like my dad did for me. The legacy continues.

I have always been fascinated with magic tricks, illusions and pranks. When I was a kid, there…read morewould be a store in Megamall (I think they're still there) that would sell easy tricks you can do, they also had a sort of package if you want it. Anyway, for a long time I've only been learning how to do card tricks and it's hard because if you don't practice 'em enough, you'd forget the sequence. I adore Abracadabra so much because they have all sorts of things magic and illusion related, they also have prank items like the electronic cockroach and the all time favourite buzzer that sends a jolt of electricity. They have a lot more than that of course since it's a whole store and it's the type where you'd have to really dig through everything. The store owner knows all his stuff and where it's at so he can help you with that I'm sure.

Even after 25 years, Greenhills Shopping Center continues to surprise me. Nestled in a hidden…read morecorner of the building is nerd heaven, an area dedicated to toys, games, and figurines, One of specific interest is ColdFire Gundam, a small store that specializes in Gundam model kits. Even though their stock is limited and their store quite small, they still have one of the more interesting inventories. I've only ever purchased something from there once, but I drop by to see what's new every once in a while, and there's always something I haven't seen before. The proprietor genuinely likes what he's selling, and it shows in how he selects his wares.

Alright, I admit it. I'm a nerd. Of course, by looking at my profile, you probably noticed that by…read morenow. Figures are my guilty pleasure. Nendoroids, DXFs (don't judge me. I think they're pretty good), Figma... ah, what I'd give for a good Figma. GreatToysOnline has a pretty good selection. And it's not just figures, either. Plush toys, gachapon, *some* shirts, copic pens... you name it, they can probably find it for you. Of course, you can always check out their website, reserve an item and pick it up at the store. As daunting as the Shoppesville branch looks, I find the Annapolis one a little less fear-inducing. Everything is tucked away behind glass shelves and even if it's less hands-on, the staff is always happy to check the catalogue and search the shelves for you. The climb up though might not be for you but hey, I've done crazier things for my hobbies.

There are a lot of pretty cool things that you can find in Cubao X. Honestly, if you just want a…read moreplace where you can find unique and vintage items, Cubao X has a number of them. One of the stores that has the most unique offerings is My Breathing Space. Just stepping inside My Breathing Space, you kinda feel like you're in a hoarder's home. It seriously has the randomest things and you can't help but want to buy things even if you're not gonna use them. It has items from mugs, to bobble heads, to figurines, to paintings, to old trinkets, to snow globes, to band posters, to so much more. The place is a goldmine for collectors in Manila and it has that old world charm to it. I'm sure if you're looking for a birthday gift, you can easily find one here.