By Stephanie R. Asuncion

MANILA, Philippines -- Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, accompanied by six bodyguards, was spotted Friday noon at the third floor of the 168 Mall in Divisoria, Manila.

Shoppers gawked at Mrs. Marcos and greeted her, “Hi, First Lady!” She said, “Hi,” back to them.

Mrs. Marcos, who was dressed in a plain black blouse and pants, didn't appear to be shopping. She and her companions walked quickly, although she stopped briefly to admire a blouse.
 

    PRIOR to Makati, Binondo was Metro Manila’s business center, keeping all of the country’s major banks and companies under its cloak.

    Today, Binondo has lost all the skylines to Ayala, but its lure as the Filipino’s favorite shopping nucleus has yet to fade. A recent visit to this Manila enclave shows that the suburb is still a champion at turning wants into need as more shops keep mushrooming in the area, offering atypical items that are finely tuned with the craves of every bargain hunter.

Sidewalk odds and ends

    Two upcoming holidays are painting the town red in Binondo.

    Chinatown’s scarlet and gold lucky charms are ever prominent in anticipation of the Chinese New Year. Store owners have also paraded their finest porcelains, pig figurines, dragon fountains, and other oriental-inspired products on their front shelves, inviting every superstitious Filipino to pop in, buy and bring hone an insignia of good fortune. A new unearthing from the Chinatown market is ironically not Chinese, but chicly clad Japanese dolls, which can be bought for only a fourth the price of a Barbie doll!

    Meanwhile, the Valentine vibe is kicking en route to Divisoria as red thongs wrapped like roses are the fad. The merry month of hearts also triggers an overpopulation of cuddly teddy bears, teeny-weeny balloons, lacy night gowns, boxer shorts with heart prints, bead bracelets, and other crimson collectibles with sweet nothings on them, enticing one to get some for his or her sweetheart, or to buy in bulk for his or her associates in the Lonely Heart’s Club.

AMID these weary times when shopping has become an elusive luxury, a unique palace glints to shoppers with tight budgets in the heart of Divisoria—168 Mall.

Strategically centered in what has long been considered as Bargainville, 168 Mall offers a one-of-kind shopping experience to bargain hunters or mall rats in search of excitement and novelty.

“We wanted to change Divisoria’s image. Although it is popular for being a shoppers’ mecca, it has turned off many picky customers who perceive it as a dirty district. 168 mall offers something different. It offers a complete mall with special bonuses – cleanliness, convenience and the sophisticated ambiance of commercial centers like Makati and Greenhills. We cater to all kinds of customers, from the high-end to the street vendors,” says Delfin So, 168 Mall’s soft-spoken and amiable administrator.