Mall capital of Asia: When in the Philippines, never mind the beaches _ go shopping

Mall capital of Asia: When in Manila, go shopping

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is known for many things: beautiful beaches, overseas workers and the multitude of shoes owned by former first lady Imelda Marcos.

But less known to the West is that the archipelago is a shoppers’ dream, the home of three of the world’s 10 largest malls. That’s remarkable, given that the Philippines is about the size of Arizona.

Shopping, along with eating and basketball, is an important national pasttime. Filipinos take their malling so seriously that it’s practically their only destination every weekend. Many of the malls in the metro Manila area are mini-cities, with department stores, supermarkets, theaters, spas and even an Olympic-size skating rink. Christian and Muslim religious services also are held at the malls.

Air-conditioned malls are a welcome escape from the tropical heat and humidity. Families and friends frequently spend entire days hanging out at one mall.

It’s easy for English-speaking tourists to shop in Manila because the language is widely spoken. At flea markets, feel free to haggle.

The best deals are clothes, shoes and accessories. It wouldn’t be hard to find a pair of jeans for $5 to $7 and summer dresses for less than $10. Bags, belts and high-heeled shoes can run you as little as $5, even at department stores.

Megan Lacy, a 22-year-old Indianapolis resident, found a bargain at Greenhills, in Manila’s suburb of San Juan. She flew to the capital this past winter with her fiance, a Filipino-American, as a missionary from her church.

“The prices are very reasonable,” said Lacy, who bought a freshwater pearl necklace and earrings for about $30. “This would easily cost me double back home.”

But it’s tougher to find bargains in electronics because they have to be imported from the U.S., Japan and elsewhere. One exception: You might consider buying a cell phone because it comes unlocked. That means you can use the phone with any U.S. carrier with a GSM network, such as AT&T and T-Mobile. It also works in Asia and Europe as a local phone number.

When shopping for clothes, be aware that sizes tend to run small to fit smaller Asian frames, although that’s changing as fast food is making waistlines bigger. Shoes above size 10 often aren’t available. Cotton fabrics also tend not to be pre-washed, so they’ll shrink in the dryer. So that souvenir for your teenage son — “My parents went to the Philippines and all I got was this T-shirt” — could end up as a shirt for your 9-year-old.

Be sure to ask about the return policy before you buy. Most places won’t give you a refund unless the product is clearly defective. It’s good to carry cash because credit cards aren’t as widely accepted as in the U.S., and ask for any kind of receipt and keep it. It’s your warranty for returns or exchanges.

Besides shopping, another bargain stands out at the mall: going to the movies. New releases hit Manila shortly after being released in the U.S., and ticket prices are about $3. For a more upscale experience, the Platinum Cinema at Gateway Mall in the Cubao neighborhood of metro Manila lets you watch movies while lounging on a La-Z-Boy armchair. A movie ticket costs $7, and includes popcorn and soda.

Several malls have buffet restaurants as well as a food court, and you can get your fill of Filipino food, as well as other Asian and Western cuisines.

Here’s a list of shopping centers to explore.

SM MALLS: For shopaholics, a must-do is the chain of SM malls that dot the city, such as Megamall. They truly are full-day destinations. You can start your day with breakfast at a Starbucks, shop for groceries, grab an Asian buffet lunch, get a hair cut and a massage, then relax with the family at the cinema — all without leaving the mall.

The SM Mall of Asia facing Manila Bay is the third-largest mall in the world with a gross leasable area of 4.2 million, according to a 2009 ranking by Forbes. Megamall, at 3.6 million square feet, and SM City North Edsa, at 3 million square feet and expanding, are the other two Filipino malls among the global top 10.

GLORIETTA AND GREENBELT: In the swanky part of Manila, called Makati, you will find the Glorietta and Greenbelt shopping complexes. Prices here are higher than in SM, but still a lot cheaper than similarly luxurious stores in the U.S. Foreign business executives and Western tourists are more frequently sighted here, because the area is surrounded by five-star hotels and is in the heart of Manila’s financial center. After shopping, head for “The Spa” at Greenbelt 1, where an hour-long massage can cost just $20.

TRINOMA: Short for “triangle north of Manila,” Trinoma is a sprawling shopping complex in the Quezon City neighborhood of metro Manila. It’s a rival to the SM malls and anchored by the Landmark department store, which has slightly lower prices and a wider selection than SM stores.

DIVISORIA AND 168: Tourists who want a more local, flea-market shopping experience, and even better prices, can head to Divisoria and the 168 shopping area. Shops here cater to the working class, or simply folks who want to pinch pennies. Kitchen items, underwear, clothes, shoes, fabric, designer knockoffs abound. It’s not hard to find items from $1 to $3. But be prepared to fight crowds, and watch out for pickpockets and purse-snatchers.