Because I so hate doing the Christmas shopping in malls and ending up buying the same old things, I considered whether it would be more practical to shop at eBay. It’ll save me a lot of grief, physical punishment and Speedy would be happy with what we can save in gasoline. I actually started buying a few items until I discovered that a lot of things on eBay can be found in Dapitan at much lower prices.
Dapitan? Yes, Dapitan. We were back at the Market at the Hills again early this morning — this time, with the girls in tow. The agreement was that we’d have breakfast there, buy some food stuff then proceed to Dapitan. Not the Dapitan where Jose Rizal spent several years in exile but its namesake — a street in Quezon City quite near the Manila boundary which has become popular for its rows and rows of stalls selling local handicrafts and imported decorative items.
Speedy had been there before. That was where he bought two of the wind chimes that hang in the gazebo and the capiz lamps that will be hung around the garden. He had been gushing about how many nice things there are for sale there and most are reasonably priced too. So, we went. And he was right. So many beautiful things. But the heat was unbearable. We didn’t get to visit all the shops and we only bought a few things. But Sam and I did manage to take a lot of photos.
Before viewing the photos, let me say that I suspect that many of the items for sale are export overruns (rejects, in short). I could tell by the haphazard painting of many of the figurines. So before buying anything, inspect the goods closely to make sure that whatever defects they might have are negligible.
Scarecrows were selling at P150 per piece. Including the pole, the height is about four and a half feet.
Japanese dolls were being sold at sets of three. Sam wanted the ones in red kimono to decorate her room but refused to pay the P400 price tag.
Elephant heads wall decor. Five pieces per set. I really liked them but P1,300 was too much for me.
Above and below, wooden wall clocks.
More on page 2. Click the link below.
 Dapitan on http://casaveneracion.com){kind=link}
I try haggling but I still get the kano price hahahaha
Ouch!!
That’s why now I go first and the wife follows at a distance. I will make a signal when I see something I really like and then she will come along afterwards to make a deal that only a pinay could hahahaha
Hi there!
any idea how much are the capiz and wind chimes on the pic? Thanks!
LOL Miguk, you’re getting the hang of Pinoy shopping hehehe
Cherleen, no sorry, we didn’t ask.
Eh that’s the only way kasi I am not allowed to go with her — ang taas taas sa price daw hahahaha
Sam should have gotten the Japanese Dolls. They look like her when she was a little girl!
This was the area where I first got all the wall hangings for Atenara House, and when I needed more, I found them at half the price in Divisoria. The thing good about Dapitan are the ceramics and the local handicrafts. Other plastic and wood items are available in Divi and cheaper (New Divisoria Mall).
So not all items are export overruns, they mix them up with cheap imports at times.
Now the wrought iron furniture, garden chairs and bird cages, painted in gold and black, are lovely.
Lisa, that was what I told her hahaha When she was 3 years old, my mother scoured malls to find a small Japanese doll to stick onto her birthday cake.
Haven’t been to Divisoria in years. I’m not so sure I still have the energy for it. Naiisip ko pa lang yung crowd, nanglalambot na ako.
nice feature po, may i ask what can u suggest the best time to go to dapitan? thanks po
In the morning. Most stores open at 9.00 a.m. Others, as early as 7.30 a.m. It gets really hot around noon.
Thanks for showing me what’s in Dapitan! ‘Been in Manila several times but never in Dapitan (although I live in Rizal’s Dapitan myself.)Will probably drop by there this year…Nice page I should say, more power!
buti po miss connie pumapayag silang kuhanan ng pics ang mga items??
Some stalls don’t allow it.
Hi!
My sis-in-law introduced me to Dapitan and its many hidden treasures so I am now an avid shopper of the Arcade and its environs. I’ve found many great bargains there that have added charm and beauty to my home.
To all you would-be shoppers out there, if you plan to buy goods that are NOT for Christmas, make sure you go there now when the Christmas goods have not yet overrun the stalls so you’d be able to find non-seasonal items. If you make your trip later, chances are you’d have lesser non-Christmassy choices.
I just love all those wonderful home decors! Especially the ceramics and handicrafts. I seldom go to Manila and I think its very costly if im going to buy things there in Dapitan and have it transported to Leyte where im living.