So it's been 17 years since last went to the Philippines, and I didn't know what to expect…read more What a pleasant surprise it was when my parents and I checked in to the Airbnb and we find out that the Venice Grand Canal Mall was just across the street. I spent a lot of time here. As soon as you walk into the mall, it doesn't feel like you're in the Philippines anymore. The canal was nice to see during the day and at night. You can even take a gondola through the canal. They also have an area where you can feed pigeons seeds. They have a lot of the stores and the restaurants that we have in the US. I was joking around saying that I traveled 7200 miles to eat at a Denny's in the Philippines. Lol. And you know I had to hit up the Uniqlo here! Will I be back? Of course. Especially if I stay at the same Airbnb. I'll see you when I see you Venice Grand Canal Mall!

The Venice Grand Canal Mall is a large lifestyle center located in Taguig, Philippines…read more The Venice Grand Canal Mall should be viewed within the context of a master planned development. Encircling this mall are apartments, condos and office towers. The mall offers a lot: a supermarket; bookstores; fast food and casual dining restaurants; a multi-screen movie theater; spaces for dance and play--and a lot of retail shopping. You can also buy tickets for a gondola ride or rent a swan boat. This location provided an opportunity for me to people watch; examine products and brands unfamiliar to me; and to price compare goods in the PHL, versus back home. It was interesting.

Metrowalk is a commercial complex between Ortigas and Pasig catering to the call center and…read morebusiness people. This area is known for shopping, dining and entertainment. The place holds free concerts from time to time and is mostly alive during night time. There are a lot of restaurants and food stalls to choose from. The center part of the area is best for eating and drinking. If you just want to chill, you may come in during weekdays as it usually gets crowded especially weekend nights. The best part is that their parking is free of charge!

Metrowalk is a complex of interesting shops and restaurants right across Meralco in Ortigas. As a…read morekid, I'd go to Metrowalk all the time to buy video games on the cheap end. Now, I'm in college and it turns out Metrowalk is a great place to hang out in and it usually has some great gigs! It's an open area but most establishments are air conditioned. The beer is cheap, and the places are more than welcome to big groups, so feel free to bring lots of friends. The night here is full of life, with people getting here right off their late shifts or getting an early start on fun before their graveyard shifts. If you can't find a place to sit down (which you probably don't - there's loads of space!) or don't have the time, there are food stalls where you can get a quick bite. You don't even need a guide to the place; just picking a random bar to hang out in will serve you pretty well for a night.

The south girl finally goes to Tiendesitas. And likes it…read more We always pass by this area on our way to a relative's house, but I was never really interested in going there. Why? Well, most of the things I heard about Tiendesitas was that it has a Pet Village, and the first thing that came to mind was the foul canine smell. I'm not exactly an animal lover. Anyway, we got invited to a friend's party in one of the restaurants in Tiendesitas, and I decided it's time to check the place out. I'm glad that I gave it a try. The place has a very Pinoy feel, which I liked. It's easy to navigate your way in the shopping center because the stalls are segregated into different villages; if you're looking for clothes, go to Fashion Village. If you're hungry, head straight to Food Village. If you have allergies like me, steer clear of Pet Village (but I still went, to my daughter's prodding). My favorite would have to be the Antique Village, they sell a lot of handmade and locally-made products. I can't believe I'm just discovering Tiendesitas now. I'll probably be back soon to explore the other villages. This is a nice place to bring tourists. Make them eat dirty ice cream and ride a kalesa around the area.

Before, my family used to go to Tiendestias all the time - it was the new thing, an open air mall…read morethat sold budget finds. When the heat in Metro Manila in general got more unbearable, my famlily and I stopped going here, but the recent changes making it into a mall with more air conditioned areas, has got us going back. I like how Filipino the place is. I don't think you can find any other place as comfortable - both in proximity, security, and affordability - that offers Filipino finds like Tiendesitas. The Pet Village is one of my favorites; before, we used to have to go all the way to Cartimar in Pasay to find pet products at a cheaper price. Fashion Village has more of a "tiangge" vibe that I very much enjoy. I'm not sure if higher end brands will be opening in the mall area soon though, but I hope the vendors just move into there.

This, as the rest of the malls in BGC are all overhyped. Just filled with people acting as main…read morecharacters holding zero shopping bags in their arms, and rather blocking the walkways spamming photos for their social media to "look rich." Not a fan of this area.

This place is like a 5 drive from my home!! The Taco Bell here is amazing, but the Halal Guys has a…read morebit of a metallic, smoky after taste though, but still not a bad restaurant

As soon as night settles in this place comes alive…read more I only was able to get video of the night life here, but it's a really cool market to find deals on shoes or clothing or just about anything. Half the market is street food vendors-- a variety of things from kwek-kwek, day old chicks, balut, corn on a stick, etc... you get the drill.They also have things like vendors with congee and noodles. There is such a condensed variety of foods here. I found a lot of what was being sold fairly reasonable or cheap, but it was really cool just seeing the market in action. It's not a place just to go sightseeing, however. I can't stress how packed it is and you can easily lose your group if you blink. It should also be noted to keep your bags and valuables close to you, I imagine this would be a good place to pick-pocket. While I don't know of any reports related off the top of my head, I just believe it'd be better safe than sorry since it's a practical sensory overload being in the thick of it. In a nutshell, it's gritty and people aren't overly friendly, but they're there and it's an interesting place to explore. If I was a local, I might not venture here a lot, but every once and awhile it would seem like a good place to find a deal.

A very nice mall. Very large. Great selection of restaurants. Loved walking in it. Although…read morethere's still some empty spaces. Enjoyed our trip there.

At Naughty Nachos The chicken is so spicy #foodporn…read more#burger #fries #unliwings #chickenwings

It's been two years since I last visited Greenhills and their renovations have paid off. It…read moredefinitely had a nicer, modern look with a more open feel in the main mall. Restaurant row was more inviting with more sit down choices and better design. Security upon entrance was still the same. Large bags were inspected upon entry. The tiangge section (Shoppsville side) was untouched with rows and rows of stalls selling pearls, clothing, suitcases, shoes and more. Everything here can be haggled over. I was on the search for some local food items but the stall I sought out was closed for some reason. The chapel in the mall was still something unique to see but quite convenient to attend mass. The indoor garden across the way was updated and more inviting than I remember with more seating. Parking here has always been and will likely still be a challenge. Security guards still direct traffic but drop off areas by the mall entrances do get backed up frequently. Definitely enjoyed the shopping experience more than before.

Greenhills Shopping Center is one of my favorite shopping mall in the Philippines. I've been going…read moreto this mall since the 80's. It's known for its diverse range of stores and products like clothing, cellular phone sales, repairs and accessories, jewelry store, toys, pearls, souvenir items, restaurants, bars, video arcades, religious facilities and the ever popular tiangge that sells imported and local products for bargain hunters. A lot has changed but it is still one of the most beloved malls in the country.

I bought an appliances in the supermarket. Ang gugulo magtrabaho ng mga staff. Isa lang binili ko…read morepero 5 sila mag aassist sayo kunwari para di utusan ng manager, nagtatago. Then, parang tinatamad pa makipag usap ang ilan sa kanila to explain to you the appliances.

If you're a foreigner traveling to the Philippines or someone who just decided to migrate here, you…read moreshould know that one of the biggest chains of malls would be that of SM. Owned by business magnate Henry Sy, SM malls have become the easiest landmark for any part of the Metro. Even where you think SM won't be, there will surely be a branch! One of the reasons SM malls are patronized by the masses is because of how many the stores are inside. True to their tagline, they do really have it all! Personally, I love taking a trip to their grocery stores. But because Megamall (which is the nearest SM mall where I live) is almost ALWAYS too crowded for my liking, it's been such a blessing that they've put up SM Supercenter in Pasig. Hypermart, as I fondly call SM Supercenter, is basically an extra-big grocery store that also has a few stores inside it. Think Target or Costco. Its grocery is legitimately packed with everything you want to see in a grocery. International brands? Check. Local manufactured goods? Check. Mini appliances corner? Check. Everything you need to survive a zombie apocalypse?! CHECK AND CHECK! What I love about Hypermart is that it's not big enough to attract customers who are just there to check out what's new in Forever21 or H&M but they house enough stores that cater to a jam-packed errands day. They've got a BDO branch, which is open Mondays to Saturdays, a food court and several other restaurants, Watsons, Surplus shop, beauty services shops, massage parlors, Ace Hardware store, etc. They even have an LTO branch inside! Even with Hypermart, SM still stays true to their mantra. Hate to say it but Henry Sy's done it again. So if you're looking for a (literally) one-stop shop on your errands day, you may want to venture to SM Hypermart in Pasig to skip the crowds and the hassle.

This mall has an outdoor and indoor portions the indoor food stall has a ton of local snacks…read more Totally worth trying if you are in the area

Market Market!It's been around for quite a while, even before BGC was developed. I visited the…read morePhilippines many times when I was younger, and back then, there wasn't much around. Seeing Market Market now shows how the Philippines has become more modern. It's a lively place where families can gather for special occasions, with various stands offering good prices, though I remember thinking the prices were quite reasonable. Interestingly, when you travel to the provinces or countryside, souvenirs and treats can be cheaper than here. Market Market has a nostalgic vibe, blending modern shopping with Filipino charm. Cheers to an OG spot with good food, great vibes, and a place that has stood the test of time!

When I still live in the Philippines, I've been going to SM Megamall since it opened in 1991. It…read morewas the biggest mall in the Philippines at that time and had its run for 17 years. Now it is the third largest mall in the Philippines and the thirteenth largest mall in the world with almost 1,000 shops including retail and dining outlets. This mall have almost everything, from specialty stores, clothing, electronics, arcade and video games, hardware, bookstores, sporting goods, restaurants, cafés and food court, movie theaters, and kiosks by merchants. Most of the items are great value for money and service is always on point! They also hold special events and holiday celebrations. Check it out!

I'm so jealous the states side don't have these kind of malls!!!! Everything you need all in one…read morelocation! Great stores, great staff, great food options! I love the mall!!!!