SOMEWHERE in Pasig along C5, a gem-of-a-shopping experience is waiting to be discovered: Tiendesitas. Opened in 2004, the place is inspired by Asian design. Yet it’s very Filipino, as evident in the horse-drawn calesas.
“Tiendesitas” is a Spanish word for small stores, and in here, one will discover small airconditioned stores with big offerings. Big pavilions divided into villages, the place is claiming to be the biggest in Asia. For those who have been to the maddening experience called Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, Tiendesitas is somewhat similar, minus the crowd and the heat, for the place is fully-covered with roofs above.
One can start by visiting the Fashion Village, where rows and rows of stores sell export overruns, as well as local brands such as Kisses & Co. and imported items from China and Thailand.
The ubiquitous gladiator sandals abound in some of the shops, and one should think twice about buying them due to overkill. I was able to buy Gap for kids shirts at P150 each, and I must admit that I am one of the few who always buy shirts and jeans in kiddie size, I am blessed with small shoulders and hips, size for age 18 fits me well. For those thinking of doing good this Christmas, look for Payatas’ KILOS Cooperative Booth. One may buy bags, sandals and other items made from recycled foil packaging by the ladies of Payatas.
Pet world
Next stop is the Pet Village, Tiendesitas’ version of Cartimar, only better. Stores selling mostly canines abound, with various breeds such as Labradors, Jack Russels, French bulldogs, sharpie, poodles. Name the breed, and most likely, it is available in Pet Village. The stalls also offer grooming services and one can spend the time shopping around while pet dogs are being groomed.
The place also has pet supplies, from leashes to shampoo, dog food and toys. Pet beds with designer logos, although not authentic, will look good side by side with human companions inside one’s bedroom.
In case hunger pangs hit shoppers, nothing to worry, for Tiendesitas has some of the best food stalls around, offering mostly Filipino fares. Think Pistang Pilipino of yesteryears, the Food Pavilion has a very festive ambiance, complete with colorful buntings. Beside the Food Pavilion is the Delicacies Village, selling Filipino pasalubongs and fruits.
Furniture
For those hunting for good furniture, Tiendesitas has a one-stop Furniture Village. In here, one can find offerings as far as Vigan and Cebu. Big ceramic Chinese jars, vintage-looking wooden pieces, chandeliers, name it, and it is being sold here.
I bought a Kenneth Cobonpue’s Yoda rattan chair knock off for less than the price of the internationally-acclaimed furniture maker is offering, quite a steal, considering that his furniture are coveted by Hollywood A-listers such as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
Tiendesitas’ Furniture Village is like putting Bangkal, Dapitan Arcade and Kamuning in a single space, plus more.
This Christmas, Tiendesitas has a Bangketa Midnight Market, running until Jan. 4. The shops start from the Novelties Village all way to the other end of Tiendesitas, imagine a block of Bangketa shopping. One can buy gift items as low as P50 for a trinket or P100 for a brand-new shirt. The place offers Divisoria prices without the crowd, and in a very comfortable venue.
One need not to worry about pickpockets since due to the absence of heavy shopping, one can truly shop in a relaxed manner. And I must say that the items being sold in some of the shops are really of novelty types since the shoppers are mostly from the gated villages of the Valle Verde area.
Tiendesitas offers comfort in a single roof; minus the hassles, including parking, for the place offers ample parking spaces. For the traffic to and fro, there is nothing much one can do except to take advantage of the lulls between rush hours.
Copyright 2009 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
To
subscribe to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper in the Philippines,
call +63 2 896-6000 for Metro Manila and Metro Cebu or email your subscription request here.
Factual errors? Contact the
Philippine Daily Inquirer's day desk.
Believe this article violates journalistic ethics?
Contact the
Inquirer's Reader's Advocate.
Or write The Readers' Advocate:
c/o
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Chino RocesAvenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets,
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94
![Zoom Image](javascript:popwin("http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-01020658440237.jpg", 410, 565))
Zoom
