I can't remember how many times I've been to the Landmark since I moved to Manila. I guess it was…read morethe first store my husband showed me. I remember that entering there was like a baptism, a début. I could almost hear the voice over: "Welcome, Danyella! This is the one and only Landmark! Here you'll find EVERYTHING you may need from now on. And for a cheaper price!". Did I say EVERYTHING? Yes, because that's exactly the feeling you have when you enter the Landmark. I just cannot decide where to look at. All products catch my attention. It's crazy. I'll give you a short list of what I already bought there, so you can feel the vibe: a Hello Kitty towel as a monito monita gift; a beautiful tea pot; maternity clothes; comfortable shoes; baby onesies; underwear; step ladders to reach high shelves; cute notebooks; toiletries; Instax instant film; scarfs; bags; a wallet; table linens and much more items. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the grocery. It's cheaper than Rustan's and even SM and you can find great variety. TIP: They sell Santis's meats and cold cuts at Landmark! I highly recommend it because of the quality. It's great to have this facility, so I don't have to split my grocery list anymore and go to Santis Deli at Rockwell.

So many cutesy butingting, so little room in the house…read more There is a section at the Landmark Department Store that can be considered a haven for hipsters - in that it features products that are shabby chic, and full of typography and graphic designed travel stuff. As you enter from the walkway that connects it to Greenbelt, you'll see the area on travel-inspired designs of notebooks and planners. And then there's the tin-can containers reminiscent of the things we used in the 80s as kids but the design is more English rose country and shabby chic. Still some of the home decor items are of prints and typography that would fit any room occupied by a hipster. Not that I'm a hipster, lol. But they are soooo cute!

I had accidentally placed an order online noticing that their prices were double of what I could…read morefind on Amazon. I contacted them immediately to cancel my order and they refused to refund it to my original payment method and only to store credit even though the item was literally just purchased and no processing or shipping was done. I told them I'd refuse the package as well but they shipped it regardless. Extremely shady business practice.

This was the High End Mall, before all the other High End Malls appeared. And to this day, it…read moreretains a lot of the class and style that defined it as THE mall of choice of Manila's elite. Rustans is special because they were handpicking and curating the vendors and suppliers for a sensible, classy experience even before curation became a thing. And that's probably why Rustans has remained relevant. While other malls and department stores are content with featuring whoever and whatever, stepping inside Rustans was an experience in itself. If you had the scratch to spend on a place like this, you could step out of there in style. The men's section in particular gives you the whole "Manly and Classy" vibe that is just almost impossible to find nowadays. An amazing, amazing place.

One, if not the most beloved SM branch in the country for me, is, SM Quiapo. It is actually one of…read morethe two Outlet Stores of SM. It is still one of the best kept secrets in Manila because its hidden in the streets of Quiapo and it's a haven for bargain hunters. Most, if not all, of the sale items in different SM stores that weren't bought are delivered here. From clothes to toys to appliances and even school supplies, SM Quiapo offers its clientele the orange to red tags, denoting that original prices are marked down. One of the nicest polo shirts I bought came from this store. Originally priced at Php799, I bought it for only Php250! A pair of running shorts and a gray undershirt cost me only Php 150. It packs a lot of people especially during weekends but come on an early morning weekday and the store has a few buyers. A tip for everyone: Learn to ask for the cheapest racks for clothes, anyway, you wouldn't go here if you are not looking for quality and cheap clothes.

For starters, I don't know why this place is called SM Department Store Quiapo when in fact it's…read morelocated in Sta Cruz, very near the Carriedo station of the LRT. Maybe Henry Sy prefers to keep it this way. The story of SM's growth from mere shoe store in the '60s to the biggest department store chain in the country begins near this branch. The original SM was located a few meters away but the building where it was located has seen better days. This SM is known as a clearance outlet and I've known for the longest time that it's one of the best places in town to buy imported chocolates. For several Christmases, I bought assorted chocolates here to give to my family, friends and office mates. A friend who worked briefly for SM tipped me off about this branch. He told me that some items were being sold below cost. Now what can be a bigger deal than that? In my latest visit, the bargain sweets were still there, and I hope they will be for as long as there's an SM. I've also bought small items here in the past and was not surprised that the prices are not too far off from the sidewalk vendors outside. Since the place is comfortably air-conditioned, it's also a nice place to cool off and shop at the same time. Of all the SM department stores inside their malls, this place definitely has the lowest prices. That's saying a lot because SM already has a reputation for having the best prices in town.

When I want to buy local souvenirs, I usually go to Kultura Filipino or to Filipiniana. Both are…read morelocated in Makati, close to my place. And both offer all the traditional symbols of the Philippines - barong tagalogs, pinneaple fiber clothes and table runners, t-shirts, Mother Pearl picture frames, pearl and coral jewelry and so on. I particularly prefer Kultura Filipino, because I have the feeling it's better served. Actually I think the store is bigger. Anyway, I prefer it. But when I don't want to cross Glorietta to get to the SM building, I go to Filipiniana, inside The Landmark. I highly recommend it for those times you have to buy a gift for a foreigner friend or buy some souvenirs to your family when you go back home on vacations.

If you're a foreigner or balikbayan looking for authentic and inexpensive Filipino souvenirs and…read moregoods, you have to stop by the Filipiniana section of Landmark. The large section is dedication just for Filipino crafts, products and food and I love how you have so many options to choose from. I'm not a foreigner or a balikbayan and I'm not looking for souvenirs but I do love going around this section and buying things. I love being a Filipino and I'm certainly proud of our skills, talents, culture and food. In this part of the department store, you'll find any kind of souvenir you want. It's basically a one-stop-shop. You can find gorgeous handmade and local artisan crafted furniture, home accessories, jewelry, clothes, traditional costumes and even yummy Filipino food snacks like peanut brittle and the famous dried mangoes! I always bring my foreign friends and family members from the States to this store and they always buy so many things and come out of the store happy and satisfied.

I think I just died and went to heaven! I absolutely love this store!…read more H&M, a well-known brand, already had me when they opened their first clothing store. They are right on trend with prices that don't break the bank. They also have basics and styles to suit almost anyone's taste. I just happened to walk by the giant store in SM and realized that there were pillows, curtains and candleholders in the window display. I looked up and saw "Home." I rushed in and didn't leave for an hour. If you're familiar with the American store Anthropologie, this is a carbon copy of it, at better prices. The home decor is mostly shabby chic with many distressed items with a cool retro vibe. They have old-fashioned handmade looking glass containers that can be used for whatever you think up, wooden crates with cracked paint and printed vintage logos, neutral woven rugs and pretty much anything else you could possibly need to dress up your home. Although the prices are not through the roof, they are not cheap. I had to resist buying everything in the store, but managed to walk away with a few throw pillows, some thick glass jars and a cute little wooden crate to put them in. I go by as often as I can just to see if there is anything new. If you need to spruce up your home, this is the place to go.

I was so happy when H&M opened a branch in SM Makati. Since I live close by to the mall, I don't…read morehave to haul myself all the way to SM Megamall to get my fix of the fast-fashion mega brand anymore. Each time I'm about to enter the store, I get giddy. I really don't know why. There's something about the gang of well-dressed mannequins by the entrance that gets me excited. The store itself is so humongous that sometimes, I actually get lost inside. And because it's so big, there's really something for everyone. They've got the basics, the trendy stuff, cool athletic wear, the fashion-forward pieces, menswear, kids wear, tons of accessories and even an earth-friendly line. Did I tell you how glad I was when H&M opened near my place?

Located in Ayala Center in Makati, this very popular department store is very well known all around…read moreThe Philippines. Very family friendly place that has a lot to offer. Parking can be found here, but I don't suggest you drive in Manila as traffic can be mentally exhausting. If you have a driver, he will know exactly where to park at SM. The Store is filled with everything you need for yourself, your home, your family, friends, pets. SM is growing with products it's unbelievable! Products are either locally made items to luxury brands from all around the world. From perfumes, cologne, shampoos, conditioners, body lotions. It was a little hard for me to sample something then move on to the next fragrance counter as there is so much to see all around the mall. What was most important is that the Foreign Exchange Counter was found on the Men's Floor of the department store. It was operated by BDO Bank and they offered a very competitive exchange rate. Also In the basement of the mall, you'll find SM Supermarket. They will have all your household items, snacks, food items, anything you forgot to pack for your trip such as toiletries. I honestly can't remember which floor it was, but there is a wing that connects you from SM to Glorietta Mall. It's the floor where one of the coffee shops were located either 2F or 3F. Happy shopping!!!

I'm not from around these parts but I've been to a few SM since my first visit in '88. This place…read moreis so bright. So there is a full sized grocery store here with food stalls lined up after paying at the grocery register. The escalator belt down and up from the grocery allows use of the carts (no escalator steps). There is a home appliance SM center. There is a toy store SM. There is a SM beauty store. Other brand stores are there too. I can go on and on. This will have most of what your looking for all in a multi level SM mall. It is right next to the MRT and other malls in Makati with plenty of parking. Every SM has at least two employees within earshot that'll be able to help at moment's notice.

You walk through the store and nobody will leave you alone. Until you get to customer service and…read morenobody wants to help you. A room full of people waiting to be helped, 4 people sitting behind the counter and only one of them working.

SM Department Stores has been renamed as SM Stores but they still stand for everything you need in…read morejust one place. The one in Megamall is one of the biggest and easiest to navigate. Each floor is designated to items catering to a particular gender or age group. They also have a floor just for home furnishings and appliances. I've lost count of how many times I've been in dire need of a gift item at the last minute and was saved by the SM Store in Megamall. They house almost all of the most famous and dependable brands be it for clothes, toys, footwear, beddings or appliances. It makes it easier to shop if the other brand is just a few steps away. You can browse and compare all the brands without breaking a sweat. They have a lot of fitting rooms so the only times when you have to wait for your turn to try out an outfit is if it is the holiday season or during a sale. And they have several weekend sales throughout the year with numerous items selling for up to just 50% of their original price. And like what I mentioned earlier, it's easy to navigate this huge store. It's basically just one large rectangle of shopping haven with several floors.

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.

Best , plenty shops, air conditioned, and inexpensive . Good…read morefoods , near hotels, movie theater

Spatial Awareness: I enjoy the layout of the entire mall…read more Instead of one long line-shaped mall, all the buildings more or less revolve around each other, making exploration more pleasant. It's easy to find most places & they have a fair amount of help desks. The place gets really crowded during sale, rush hour, & the holidays. Sales: Sales are so frequent that I'm not sure it's wise to "seize the moment" anymore. If you shop at sales often, you're not really saving anymore, because while you're thinking you spent less & got good deals, you have nearly nothing left & have to wait until your next pay day. Parking: They have parking slots everywhere in different buildings such as The Link. The problem is they get full quickly towards the afternoon. The mall needs more security because people still pass through Wrong Way signs. Lounges: I like that the mall has lounges for cleaner restroom experiences, but doesn't that make you wonder why there is such? Shouldn't all restrooms be well-maintained in the first place? P10/use is big when you do the math. Although, it's still hilarious to see some people hoard toilet paper or paper towels. It's funny, sad, foolish, & clever. But I admit doing this with a runny nose. :)

Great place to shop, find almost anything you need. Connected to 100's of other retails all heart…read moreof the Ayala center.

AMBIENCE This is our go-to mall since Glorietta, Greenbelt,…read moreLandmark and SM Makati make the place a huge shopping center with many things you might need like groceries, appliances and bill payment centers. We do plenty of meet-ups and food trips at their restaurants, cafes and food courts. Seeing them change through the years, I'm really happy with the work they've done. Save time and go to the concierge for shop locations. PARKING Many parking areas are also available but during the weekends and holidays, things do get tricky and patience may be necessary. It's easier to park in the morning but only if you have time to spare. SERVICE Guards block parking entrances when they're full but you can tell them you're willing to wait. If not, they usually have specific parking suggestions for your convenience. Concierge staffers are mostly knowledgeable about shop locations and services offered within the area.