Quickie in Quiapo (Part 1)

Quiapo holds a special place in my heart. I’m proud to say that I can drive or commute to Quiapo by myself and explore its busy streets without being snatched or groped. Whenever I go, I always try to “blend in” — no make up, no pearl earrings, jogging pants, hair tied up and walking as if I were a boy.

Aside from the fortunetellers, faith healers and snatchers around the Quiapo Church, this place in Manila has a lot more to offer. From cheap houseware, beads, pearls, cameras and feel-like-you’re-in-China electronics mall, this is the untapped Divi.

Today I went for a Quickie in Quiapo. I had a few things to buy but managed to plug in visits to my favorite places. I went to the ___ store where I bought my carafes for my beverage catering business. From Php 130.00, Ate Rofelyn, my suki saleslady, gave me the 1 liter carafe for Php 120.00 and the 500-mL version from Php 110.00 to Php 85.00. The trick was that I went to four other stores that sold the same thing and figured that the cheapest price was Php 120.00 and Php 90.00 for the 1-Liter and the 500-mL, respectively. So I told dear Rofelyn that she has to give me a good price so that I’ll remain her suki. It worked!

While waiting for my 14 carafes to arrive from the warehouse, I kept looking around. I remember buying a cake tier last season from Rustan’s that cost Php 500.00 and finding it at that same Quiapo store for only Php 300.00! Anyway, I found a mini-shafing dish for sauces that came in a stand and candles under. It was only Php 400.00 pesos — what I could imagine Rustan’s selling for around Php 500 - 600! So I speed dialed my dad and told him that I found the perfect gift for his poker buddies and ran to the PS Bank right beside the store and withdrew and extra Php 4,400.00 to buy 11 sets!

Since Rofelyn didn’t have stock of the Ocean martini glasses that I needed, I walked down C. Palanca (Echague Street) and canvassed for my to-buy item. I was so disappointed that the unfriendly salesladies didn’t give a price lower than Php 60.00! At the last store, I just had to use my charm and did my “beautiful eyes” with the chinese owner and told him that if he gave it to me at Php 58.00, I’d get 30 now and always buy from him. Again, it worked! Ha ha ha.

Loyalty and wholesale works well with bargaining in Manila. I love chismisan with the people and talking about life, in general, while waiting for my stock to arrive from the warehouse. It passes time well, establishes relationships and of course, gives me a good discount!

CHEERS!