A Southern Girl's Guide to Divisoria: The Bag, the Makeup and the Wardrobe

My friends and I have been planning our Divisoria trip for some weeks now. I've been there twice, once with my family and the other time was with my friends some time December a couple of years ago.

Living in the south, it’s quite the trip trekking north to Divisoria. Although I do have my favorite shopping havens close to home, there’s nothing like shopping in the bargain capital of the Philippines.

As a famous adage goes, preparation is half the battle. And if so, Divisoria is a war zone. Here, throngs of people from all walks of life, stalls bursting to the brim with all sorts of goods and bustling traffic all converge into a crowded citadel. It’s hot, humid, noisy and crowded. It only makes sense to be prepared:

The first instinct I had was to go online. And look at you doing the same. There are numerous blogs and vlogs on Divisoria.  Here are few must-reads among many others:

• Pinoy Road Trip
• Istorya Ng Divisoria
• Beam's Definitive Guide to Divisoria

Equipped with your new-found knowledge, let me reiterate some key points: 

Dressing Down – the key is looking plain, everyday and blending in. This is not the place for your gold necklace, diamond earrings and branded bags. Aside from the obvious reason that your bling might attract some untoward characters, looking like you just came out of house to buy suka (vinegar) could help with haggling prices down. You’d need to comfortable as well. The most recommended outfit: a long comfy tee, leggings and sneakers/rubber shoes. Sturdy sandals are optional, but remember Divisoria is after all a market place and as crowds move at a penguin’s wobble, getting stepped on or your toes run-over by a market cart is a reality. Steel toes anyone?

Make-down - Divisoria is the perfect place for the Au natural look. if you cant go without makeup, remember less is more. Just a touch of your favorite bb cream with sunscreen, a sketch of an eyebrow and you should be good. Sunscreen and waterproof makeup are your best bet. 

Bringing the Bag – two kinds are needed here: Your personal sling bag and your shopping bag.

Sling bag – A bag big enough to hold all your valuables but small enough to be light and hassle free is a necessity. When shopping in crowded areas, security is always a major concern. Always keep your bag secure by placing it in front of you at all times. In the spirit of blending in, do pick something muted, with a flap, zipper or better both. Please veer away from metallic shiny accents, rhinestones and studs. Unless you have any plans of stabbing the person in front of you when the crowds tighten or hitting a possible assailant with your bag, its best to stick to the uneventful.

Inside should fit your wallet/coin purse, phone and compact clean-up kit:

• ·         small packet of baby wipes (10-30 pcs)
• ·         alcohol (decanted into a small spray bottle)
• ·         folded tissue
• ·         fan (preferably foldable)

Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water. A roll of mints or non-melting candy can also provide a burst of energy when needed. I also make sure to pack a couple of meds like alaxan, mefenamic acid and some band-aids just in case. Its also helpful to break your big bills into smaller denominations. Less math, more fun. 

Shopping Bag - these bags make it easier for you to lug your purchases from store to store. Keep in mind that even in the malls the aisles can get quite tight and narrow, unless you have someone to watch over your purchases while you shop, its best to choose a shopping bag that fits your needs. Here are some options:

• Eco-bag: If you've ever shopped in the South, you’d know that plastic bags have been replaced with old school handle-less brown paper bags. This makes it imperative to have an eco bag in tow when shopping. Available in varying sizes, designs and fabrics, choosing an eco-bag for shopping is a very convenient in that when you’re not using it you can just fold it up and tuck it away. Perfect for light – medium shopping.

• Trolley Bag: You can also opt to get trolley bag which is basically a bag with wheels. There’s the pop-up kind which has retractable wheels. I got mine from SM Southmall at an amazing P100.00. Another kind of trolley is more reminiscent of your rolling luggage. It’s a cross between a backpack and trolley. Fancy thing about this is its collapsible just like a baby stroller. I’ve seen these in bazaars around the South priced at P650.00 and saw it cost almost half the price in Divi.  

Trolley Bag

Foldable Trolley Bag with Retractable wheels

• Backpack: A backpack would also distribute the weight of your purchases, leaving your hands free to roam. But place the bag in front of you for security purposes.

• Sack or “Sako” Bags: These woven bags secured with zippers are also a popular option. I don’t prefer using them because I find the straps being made of woven plastic aren't comfy on the shoulders. But if you’re planning on buying lighter items and don’t mind the straps then it’s a very cost effective option. You can buy them at any market in varying size options from your modest 12-inch bag to a whopping 4 foot high one. Just make sure you check the stitching is secure and the zippers are working.

Sack  or "Sako" bag: credits to the owner of the pic 

Did you find this blog helpful? If you have any questions or would want to share your  tips when shopping in Divisoria, feel free to leave a comment below: 

Thanks for reading! This post is part of a working series on Divisoria Shopping. If you'd like to know more on Divisoria, 168 mall guide, street shopping and more stay tuned for the next post!