At sunset, I found myself roaming around Cubao, one of my favorite places in Metro Manila. There's something quite appealing about this place, probably its very Pinoy (Filipino) vibe. The hustle and bustle of this area in Quezon City is very grounding. Here, everyone shares one common platform (literally and metaphorically). I like sitting in that Mister Donuts in Farmer's, facing commuters as they move to and from the MRT station, simply observing how they go about their everyday lives and wondering about each of their own life narratives.
Cubao has always been close to my heart. I spent a large chunk of my childhood and adolescence in this place--taking violin lessons at Weinstein school of Music in Ali Mall for some years, having my hair cut at Jimmy Lu Salon (my mom's favorite in the 90's), watching Disney on Ice every Christmas at the Big Dome, getting my first-ever pair of glasses at Sarabia Optical & finally seeing the map of zits on my face at 13 years old, grocery shopping at Shopwise with the family every weekend until a branch opened in Commonwealth, spending 3-hour breaks at Gateway Mall in college, etc.
Post-adolescence and pushing to young adulthood, I still hold Cubao dear to my heart. One of Cubao's most amazing nooks is Cubao Expo, with its art galleries, thingmajiggy stores, restaurants (hello Bellini's & Pen Pen's!), cheap brand-new branded shoes, and of course, the ukay ukay's (thrift shops).
Opposite Cubao Expo, at the back of the bus terminal (the old Rustan's building), is a humble shop known as the MSM American Surplus. Okay, I know the word "American" may elicit some boo's (it did with me), but I think it's still worth blogging about because of the extensive, and I mean extensive collection of pre-owned products for sale in this shop.
After batting my eyelashes at the shop keeper and security guard, they finally allowed me to take some photos of the thingingymajiggies adorably littered all over the place.
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| Books for as low as FIVE PESOS. Book lovers' heaven indeed. |
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| And I mean BOOKS - from Stephen King to Harlequin romance novels to Science Encyclopedias. |
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| "Reading is not allowed here. This is not a library. Thank you!" |
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Toy Kingdom.
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| Can you pull off this green pair? |
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| Boot Booth. |
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| Some pairs have never been worn. |
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| Buying pre-owned shoes isn't for everyone, though it's still worth some ogling. |
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| Heel Varieties. |
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| Stacked Luggage. |
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| "Tweet" says the hat. |
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| Vinyl records at 35pesos each. Sweet! |
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| From printers to speakers, they got it all. |
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| Plates of various kinds. |
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| Cutesy Colored Utensils. |
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| How adorable is that yellow ironing board, eh? |
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| And this dispenser? |
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| Glassware. |
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| Watches for a steal! |
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| Old and lovely.. |
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| This unique wooden cabinet would make a great laundry container, a book stash, or a hiding place for kids. |
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| Choosing gear. |
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| The balls you need are in here. |
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| Be an instant champion for less. |
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| Customers pouring in. |
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| After all, who doesn't love a bargain? |
Just be sure to disinfect anything that you buy!
♫♪,
Ivee
Wow Ivee! This place is adorable. ^_^ I'll drop by and check out these thingamajigs. Thank you for sharing. :))
ReplyDelete-Joselle
Hello Joselle! thanks for taking time to read this post.. Yes, do drop by the place.. It's amazing..You'll find all kinds of things for sale, for a good price. :)
Deleteiveee we still need to go ukay-ukaying! apparently i have a lot more to discover up north! do they sell clothes here? :D
ReplyDeleteHi alessiiii! yup! let's schedule it when the weather becomes bearable. :) yup, they sell some jackets here. :)))
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