Our family has always been a proponent of the "Buy Filipino" movement. As much as possible, we try…read moreto look for local alternatives to imported products. However, this doesn't mean that we will just buy locally manufactured products even if they are substandard or irrationally expensive. We want to elevate the quality of goods made in the Philippines, so we would not let our family be taken advantage of by companies that support bad practices. Community-made goods, such as those sold by Mangyan Village Products, are some of the things that we support and encourage. It's really inspiring to see that top businesses, such as Ayala Corporation, are helping and providing opportunities for our indigenous communities to showcase not only their heritage but their craftsmanship as well. If you ever find yourself in Glorietta 3, visit the Mangyan Village Products outlet on the second floor. Here, you will find intricate hand-woven baskets, plates, bags, bracelets, and even drinking cups made from dried nito grass. There are also beautiful beaded bags. I gifted my sister a beaded blue clutch bag from this kiosk. She and everyone in her office loved it.

Friday, March 1 90°F 49% Humidity…read more Let's go souvenir shopping! Gift giving (pasalubong) is an important Filipino tradition, and Kultura offers a wide range of products that showcase the country's culture, cuisine, clothing, and craftsmanship. This retail chain is owned by SM and you'll find them inside most if not all SM shopping malls. I went to the one inside SM Makati. What do they have? Apparel - atleisure, polos, footwear, T-shirts, jackets, traditional outfits like filipiniana or barong, Accessories - jewelry, sunglasses, hats, shawls, tote bags, purses Food - dried mangoes, chocolate bars, jams, polvorón (shortbread), cookies, banana chips For the home - placemats, coasters, picture frames, utensils, ornaments, figurines, other diningware I didn't buy too much because it was still early in my trip; didn't want to overpack my luggage because I had two more flights to Mindanao and Cebu. I mostly browsed around to get an idea of what they had and made plans to stop at another location on my last day. But I did get a small bag of YeloYolo cacao cookies, which are as "healthy" as cacao can be. All real plant-based ingredients and an excellent source of fiber, iron, magnesium, protein, and potassium. Halal certified as well. Overall lots of unique gifts you can bring home and share with family, friends and colleagues! Philippines 2024 collection: https://www.yelp.com/collection/DHwKzvo7o_ll8jmXFFU3KA/PHIL-2024

Kultura Filipino is really your one-stop shop for Authentic & Quality Pearls, Barong, Filipiniana,…read moreand Local Souvenir items. It's located in the SM Makati mall on the second floor. Chances are you will find what you need. From a range of T-shirts, caps, magnets, keychains, coffee, cookies, candy, chocolates, chocolate dipped mangoes, handmade items, etc. I could've spent hours in this place.

Kultura Filipino is conveniently located in the Mall of Asia. The Mall of Asia gets a lot of…read moretourists each day (especially those who might be flying back home soon), so that was a brilliant idea to put this store inside the mall. Kultura Filipino has a wide variety of pasalubong (souvenirs) to bring back as gifts for loved ones or as keepsakes for yourself. The prices aren't the cheapest, in fact you can for sure find cheaper souvenirs elsewhere throughout the Philippines, however, the items here shouldn't break the bank (especially if you are on a budget). I for one like Kultura Filipino and their items due to the variety and the convenience, since I can make last-minute pasalubong purchases before going home. I look forward to visiting the store again on my next trip back to the Philippines.

For anyone coming to the Philippines and don't have time to go to other places for souvenir things,…read morethis is the store to go to! They have all the native items to buy from clothes including barong, shelled dishes to frames, pasol (lighted stars), jewelry to sweets. Very surprised there was a store like this in the SM Megamall (mega A side). I liked everything but only limited funds to buy a lot at the time for me. The prices of course is a little expensive here but if you have no time and still have to travel to get to the cheaper store, I would just buy from here. It's organized and clean. [121/100]

I really like all the clothing and accessories one can buy here. Its all Filipino offerings…read moreconveniently located in SM. The items are a little pricier than local vendors and shops but traveling alone I feel better spending a few extra pesos rather than to venture past Antonio Arnaiz Av. The clothing is beautiful and the handbags are too unique to not go home with out one.

Kultura is the perfect place to find things truly unique to FIlipino culture. If you're looking for…read morea gift or pasalubong for balikbayans, for sure you'll find what you're looking for here. They have everything from clothes, bags, hats, even liquors! Owned by the SM company, you can be sure to find them in all their department stores or malls, which makes it very convenient and everything's pretty affordable too! I had a few cousins come to visit from America over the Holy Week and in the stress of all the planning I lost track of time to buy them something! Luckily, there's an SM near my house and I ran and found really cute beach bags for their trip to Boracay. I love any business or organization that supports being Filipino so this is up there on my Manila list!

Gift Gate is a store that basically sells a lot of items that are colored in pink. It's main mascot…read moreis a Kitty that I'm sure many of those born in the 90's would recognize but those after the millennium would not. Back in the old days Gift Gate was well, a nice place to get gifts for your loved ones, particularly kids. They sold stationary, toys, pencils, pens, you name it it had it. I gave this one four stars because of the sense of nostalgia. I have a great suspicion that buying something here and giving it to a girl who grew up in the 90's might appreciate the sense of nostalgia that this would bring them. Not only that, but items from Gift Gate aren't that expensive. It's a nice place for people who are working on a tight budget, but want something that has a little bit of thought and sentimentality to their gift of choice.

I have always been a fan and have always tried to promote buying local products in support of our…read moreeconomy. Swear. This is why it was such a delight to discover Kultura Butik during my latest trip to Taal Vista Hotel. I found souvenir items that were specifically made for Taal Vista and Tagaytay, which were obviously geared towards tourists. For a frequent visitor like me, I was particularly delighted by their selection of bags and pouches that had beautiful and funky graphic prints, resembling and inspired by traditional weave patterns of indigenous tribes form all over the Philippines. Despite having several pouches and coin purses that haven't been used in my cabinet, I couldn't resist getting one. Well, not for myself, but as a "gift on reserve" for those times when I'm suddenly invited to a birthday party and I have no time to buy a gift. Again, pushing for "our very own" with every chance I get. Hooray for patriotism! Hooray for local talent! Hooray for me and you!

Who could have ever thought that a store would achieve its popularity because of poo? Yes, Blue…read moreMagic became the talk of the town -- well, at least in our school -- because of the light brown paper mache poo that they sell. While I was growing up, I think I received (and also gifted) several big and small pieces of this stuff as presents during the yearly Christmas Kris Kringle (Secret Santa). On a serious note, however, Blue Magic offers a lot more than poo. In fact, this is the go-to store for many teens and 'betweenies' who are budget conscious but are looking for quality novelty and collectible items to give as gifts to family, friends, and that special someone. There's surely something for everyone at Blue Magic, may it be funny, naughty or sweet. The most recent item that I got from this store was a white rat hand puppet with a long tail. I gave it to my niece. She loved it and that's why she now has a real pet mouse. Another reason to like this toy and novelty store is the fact that they usually change the items they sell depending on the season. During Valentine's, for example, you will surely find a lot of hearts, flowers, and other romantic stuff to buy for your loved ones.