The brainchild of Tuts Calinawan, Medisina is the go-to angas clothing wear of all the Brgy Tibay…read morekids and their loyal following. Gamot raw sa BS. So true. Wish I could afford though. I've been lingering outside their shop staring at the pretty band shirts I've craved for so long o kahit Brgy. Tibay shirt man lang diba? Tapos ipagkakalat ko na bigay ng rockstar kasi cool ako at close kami hahahaha charot. Pero pwede namang mangarap diba? Pwede ring mang uto. Upon my recent lingering, I have noticed new apparel such as Urbandub jerseys that would look super pogi on me but would stab all my beer funds on the throat upon purchase. But shet guys, pag nakaipon kayo ng pangregalo sa mga chix niyo, get them a medisina shirt and you'll prolly get a call back. Nux!

Renegade Folk make simply beautiful footwear. Their sandals are renowned across the country for…read moretheir beautiful handcrafted style in extraordinary simplicity. I may have more pairs than I'd like to admit, and I may or may not be waiting on another pair. Ahem. Their showroom in White Plains shows a wonderful picture of what inspires the creators of Renegade Folk and what they have in mind when they let their creativity shine. Their inspiration and creativity is inspiring, in turn, to me and I feel compelled to create and appreciate what creations have been brought into the world. If you're looking for your next summer pair, then I would recommend you give their store a visit. They have an online store, but their space is such a treat to visit I'd feel I'd be missing out if I only shopped online from them. All-in-all the experience is invigorating, if only to explore the creative space. It's clear that they're not just selling fancy shoes. They have a wonderful vision.

I've noticed that locally made things have been improving through the years. We've finally caught…read moreon technology! And because of that, I'm proud to say that my absolute favorite shoe store comes from Manila - it's none other than Renegade Folk. I was a fan already during their The Ramp Glorietta days. Their designs transitioned, their branding also got a lot better and I believe they already ship their products overseas. The sandals is a wear-and-tear kind of shoe. Aesthetics wise, their sandals are usually plain so it's very easy to match with any outfit. Quality comes with a price so expect to pay PHP1800 per sandal. Comfort wise, they are very comfortable. I own about 4 pairs already! I'm so happy they opened their independent shop; it's a bit far from where I'm based in Manila but the trip is always worth it!

I consider Aranaz to be the Kate Spade of Manila. You've got a high class bag shop that sells very…read morefashionable yet timeless pieces. The first time I actually noticed this store was when I came across the article on a social event where almost all the attendees had a Aranaz clutch bag with them. And so I quickly went to the store to see what more they offer. The main focus of the bags is the use of local raw materials. They turn a simple native bag more modern through handmade embellishments. I believe every woman has to have at least one Aranaz bag in her wardrobe. It's definitely worth the investment. My favorite pieces are the unique clutches Aranaz displays - these will definitely be a conversation piece on your next party! Tip: Aranaz has its annual sale every August so make sure you check their Facebook page and instagram account from time to time!

I'll be the first one to say that I'm not overly fond of bags, and still, Aranaz caught my eye with…read moreits inventive use of traditional Filipino materials such as abaka and tinalak in weaving tote bags, clutch bags, and hand bags every bit as intricate and as tough as the designer labels we've come to admire. Having just come back from Honolulu, my favorite clutch bag at Aranaz has got to be the one with the pineapple shape. I mean, how cute is that! I love that Aranaz bags can sometimes be plain and understated with their design, letting the material speak for the quality of the bag itself. But I also love how they can just as easily be garishly fashionable, like the bags I saw with flamingos and pineapples on them. While I don't have the need for a new bag at the moment, I will definitely keep Aranaz in mind.

The name of Winnerka Fashion must be a play on the Tagalog and English words 'winner' and 'ka.' In…read moreother words, you're a winner. Cute. Stores like this used to be called boutiques. I don't think anyone uses that word anymore. Makes the user seem so passe and out of touch with the times, which is a no-no especially in the world of fashion. It's a neat and small store that's comfortably air-conditioned. From what I saw, the main products are casual ladies clothes, not too expensive and not too cheap either. My wife and daughters would be most happy to at least give this place a look see, I'm sure. But I was alone when I happened to pass by and just peeked inside out of curiosity. I am no expert at women's fashion so I can't really say if the clothes sold at Winnerka are hot stuff or meh-worthy. In my eyes, they looked mighty fine. I'm going to let the ladies in my life decide for themselves if they will become regular customers or sukis of this new story. Sooner rather than later, I am certain they will at least pay it a leisurely visit.

I don't want to spend so much on clothing. In fact, I hate shopping entirely. But there's a place…read morein SM Megamall that I visit every once in a while if I want a good pair of jeans or a nice long sleeved shirt or even a bargain leather belt. And that's Tutto Moda, located at the second floor of the Atrium in SM Megamall. This shop actually sells slow moving items or products from past seasons. They carry mid-price brands under the franchise of Store Specialists. If they are on sale, you can surely find brand items like Polo Sports, Armani Exchange, Anne Klein, and Reiss sold at 30% to 70% off. However, it's important to note that they have broken sizes. So, for example, you see a pair of pants that you like, it doesn't mean that they have one in your size. You need a bit of patience here before you can find an item that's perfect for your size. Aside from clothing, the store also sells shoes and bags.

Okay, I won't lie. I don't even have to. Massimo Dutti is extremely expensive! But I really like…read morethis store. I adore the casual, hip but elegant air of their clothing. They maintain their brand and their style without giving way to trends and simultaneously never falling out of fashion. They have some of the best genuine leather jackets in the market and all their items are of consistent quality. All their clothes and accessories and bags and footwear are practical. No weird holes or rips in inappropriate places, no odd straps or paneling. The design and displays of their store are also excellent. Never crowded, never clashing. Always clean and welcoming with aircon always at a comfortable temperature. Their store attendants also, do not hover. They remain polite, friendly, attentive. Their presence is always there, ready for when you need them but never pressuring nor overbearing.

Having been a Rockwell Powerplant regular for years now, I always got to drop by Massimo Dutti to…read morewindow shop and to simply see what they had to offer to pass the time. I never really bought anything because I always found the items to be really expensive. Along came a sale one weekend though, and I thought it was time to give the place a shot. I picked a nice long-sleeves polo that was marked down to 50% off to take home. To give you an idea of how expensive the items of the shop are sans the mark down, the price of the polo that I bought turned out to be the same as similar items at regular price at a Zara or Topman. Fast-forward to today, and that discounted polo eventually became one of my favorites wear. I do understand now why the prices are high; the quality and comfort that it gives me at least backs it up. Next time Massimo Dutti goes on sale, I'm definitely making the most out of it and I'll be taking more than one item with me.

Need to update your wardrobe this year? Want a new swimwear? Or do you just want to shop till you…read moredrop without burying your wallet alive? Then this discreet yet stunning local clothing line could do the trick for you. Apartment 8, with branches in Trinoma, Greenhills and Glorietta, have been around for some time and has been creating quite a stir because of their trendy collections. Endorsed by famous fashion bloggers, Apartment 8 offers clothes for women, mostly for teenagers and young adults. But hey, their clothing line is for everybody, as long as you wear the dress, and not let the dress wear you. From casual to formal, from summer to winter, from vintage to modern - Apartment 8 surely has them all.

PCX is a nice drug store chain with a handful of imported brands. I usually go here if I need…read moretoiletries or drug store makeup, and it is pretty well-stocked. The employees are usually very friendly, but kind of hover over you. (I imagine the reason is to deter you from shoplifting, or because the store itself is quite cramped and small. Or both.) Think of it as a small scale Watsons. I came here looking for my preferred Organix brand of shampoo and conditioner. However, I could not find it. I still enjoyed browsing though! It is located in the old wing of Alabang Town Center.. kinda like near the cinema.