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Go shopping of exotic local products and souvenirs including shell craft and the world famous hand crafted guitars
Cebu City is the second major city in the Philippines and has a huge range of shopping possibilities for both souvenirs and general bargains. There are three major shopping malls including Ayala Center Center, SM City Cebu and Gaisano Country Mall which offer shoppers world standard products both Filipino made and the best the world has to offer. Prices on many times are extremely competitive while others can be more expensive than back home. So know your prices. When shopping for Filipino hand made products it is usually cheaper to visit the local markets similar to flea markets. Be prepared to haggle and to wade through rows of hot, sweaty stalls. (watch for pickpockets.) Bargaining is expected in markets, but not at department stores or supermarkets. Here are just some shopping ideas:
Sea Shell Handcraft
Cebu is a center for the producing quality shell craft products that will make that perfect holiday souvenir and be functional. Choose from a wide range of sea shells handicrafted Fashion Accessories and Jewelries, like Shells Necklaces, Puka Shell, Bags, Bracelets, Hairclips, Earrings, Slippers, Coco placemat, Coco and Shell Curtains, Jewelry Boxes, lamp shades, candle holder, picture frames, table decors and many other items all handcrafted and made of natural coco, woods and shell components and materials.
Wood Carvings
Wood carvings express the culture of the Philippines. Filipinos are excellent wood carvers and it has been part of their culture for centuries with many designs passed down through families. In addition to traditional carvings you will find a huge selection of small sculptures, characterures and functional items such utensils for the household. There are also many religious carvings and larger pieces that are either life size sculptures or items of furniture made form a single piece of wood.
The type of wood is a big determining factor in the cost of a wood carving. There are many types of wood with the most expensive being Kamagong (also known as Ebony or Black Ivory). The kamagong or mabolo (Diospyros philippinensis) is prized for its excellent ebony wood. There is a dwindling supply of kamagong in the Philippines and you will find it used only for finer work. At the other end of the spectrum the cheaper novelty items will usually be produced in coco lumber.
Home made fabric goods & embroidery
Another very good buy in the Philippines are handcrafted fabrics and embroidery work. There are many home based produces of such goods. They sell there wares each day at the many craft and tourist markets. Many have permanent booths at markets with a wide range of merchandise on display including handmade clothes, abaca and raffia rugs, fiber cloth, capiz ware (made from shells), embroidered cotton table linens. You can also request customer designs and order your own embroidery such as initials or emblems.
Clothing
The Philippines is a great place to shop for clothing. If you are not oversize then there is a huge selection of high quality off-the-rack apparel at any of the first class department stores that generally much cheaper than back home. Most of the fabrics in pre-made clothing are lighter weight and designed for year round summer conditions of the Philippines.
You can also get clothing made to order to any size and fabric. Choose from a wide selection of international designs or take the page out of your favourite fashion magazine and have a replica made up of a famous brand for a fraction of the cost. Taylor made clothing is one of the better buys in the Philippines.
Shoes, handbags, belts and Wallets
Quality leather craft is another good buy in the Philippines. The department stores have a wide selection to suit any taste. Many well know international brands are actually manufactured in the Philippines so a genuine bargain can really be had. The only drawback seems to be the available range of shoe sizes in the local shops that do not cater for the larger size of most westerners. The larger sizes are available but generally not stocked so finding shoes to fit can be a challenge. As with clothing it is possible to get any type of custom made leather craft.
Guitars
Mactan island is famous for its hand made guitars. Make sure you choose export quality as the guitars made for local use are fine in the tropics but tend to bow when subject to extreme temperature variations.
Antiques
Cebu is the oldest City in the Philippines and a good place for antique collectors to search for that hidden treasure. Be careful as Filipino’s are very skilled craftsman and there are many excellent reproductions around that some unscrupulous people may try to pass of as original.
Electronics
In general the Philippines is not the best place to buy electronics but there are some exceptions. The Filipino’s are crazy about Mobile phones and are among the highest volume uses of text messaging in the world. Subsequently mobile phones are one thing that you may find cheaper than back home. Know your prices. Any locally made electronics are also considerable cheaper but quality varies on these goods.
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