MANILA, Philippines?This is a running joke among gays?to check if a guy is really straight, ask him to say ?Kamuning.? Now if the last syllable is pronounced a long, dragging and shrill ?e,? the guy is one?chances are. (Try saying ?Kamuning? over and over, you?d love the way the word rolls on your tongue.)

Kamuning is the stretch connecting Tomas Morato to Edsa. Now it is lined with thrift shops that are worth discovering.

First on the list of stops? Kamuning market. If you find going to Divisoria for your fabrics a maddening experience, try Kamuning. It?s somehow an extension of ?Divi?, without the crowd and pickpockets.

I discovered Kamuning textile market by accident a few years ago. On a dressmaking scholarship grant from Ben Farrales at Slim?s, I was required to buy a cheesecloth for the first project. I went to Kamuning for it. As it turned out, I wouldn?t last in fashion; I threw the towel by the third project, the 10-paneled skirt. As a fashion school dropout, I discovered Kamuning.

Tailor

The tree-lined parking lot of Kamuning textile market is convenient, a far cry from the frenzy that is Divisoria. Choices are varied?muslin, rayon, poplin, polyester, cotton, knit, even piña from Lumban, Laguna, or Kalibo, Aklan.

There are tailoring and dress shops?a one-stop ?haute couture shopping.? Imagine getting your bespoke suit with utmost ease. Just don?t forget to bring the latest issue of Vogue or GQ for that latest designer runway copy. When I asked around about the difference between Divisoria and Kamuning, cost-wise, I learned it wasn?t much since the sales agents of textile mills also regularly visit Kamuning.

Accessories

I get my buttons from Carolina?s, since going to Tabor in Divisoria is really not worth it. Why pay for the entire cow when I just need the milk? That?s my analogy when travelling all the way to Divisoria for accessories. In Kamuning textile market, there?s a store of dressmaking supplies.

This October comes United Nation day?time for parents to get the kids an outfit for the Parade of Nations.

Kamuning market has a stall selling national costumes of different countries?Korea, Japan, Mexico, China and even Taiwan. How politically correct! A People?s Republic Of China costume and a Republic Of China costume sold separately.

Kamuning textile market has another covered, maze-like market for Christmas decor.