Boracay is an alluring, enticing and inviting island in the province of Aklan, Philippines. Aside from swimming, jet skiing and diving, another enjoyable and fun activity to do at this place is shopping. To enhance tourism in the island, local entrepreneurs establish several souvenir shops that offer beautiful and cheap keepsakes as well as dry markets that sell high quality handicrafts. To provide a comfortable and relaxing shopping area, Boracay features a small but spacious mall, which plays home to cozy restaurants and enticing retail shops.
Tourists who want to cook their own food can purchase fresh vegetables, meat, fruits and seafood at Talipapa Market. Customers can also have a nice time at this Boracay shopping place because it has a dry section where they can find cheap but beautiful bracelets and necklaces. Most of the accessories available at this place are made from beads and seashells. One of the main attractions at this commercial market is a tattoo shop that offers cheap services to tourists and locals. This establishment is not hard to find since it stretches from the Main Road of the island to the White Beach. By allotting 200 pesos to 500 pesos, shoppers can purchase three to five keepsakes at Talipapa Market.
Aside from Talipapa Market, tourists who like to do some shopping can visit D’ Mall at Station 2. This Boracay shopping complex plays home to stores that offer branded clothes and swimwear. Additionally, this business center features various souvenir shops that sell handicrafts like bags, lampshades, home decorations and rugs. D’ Mall is also popular for the fine dining places that it features. To have a fun time at this place, shoppers should allot 300 pesos to 600 pesos as a budget.
Local travelers and foreigners who collect different home products should take a look at the beautiful items offered at Lonely Planet. They have nothing to worry about the quality of the products available at this place because most of the merchandises were imported from other Asian countries like Thailand and India. The prices of items at Lonely Planet range from 400 pesos to 1,000 pesos.
When it comes to accessories and jewelries, one of the best Boracay shopping places to see is the Crystal Shack. This establishment offers silver jewelries like earrings, bracelets and necklaces. The costs of jewelries available at this place usually range from 300 pesos to 1,000 pesos.
So you think only women are vain? Think again. I just found out that men can be as prissy with their looks like women are. And the good news is, an enterprising person can take advantage of this turn it into a home business. How? By opening a barber shop!
The following is a Q&A with a barber who opened up a barber shop to response to this sense of aesthetic and call for business venture.
Q: What made you decide to have your own barbershop?
A: Even while I was still in school, I would also find its way to fix my hair differently especially when I had to attend parties or gatherings. The problem then was that in order for me to get the “fix” I wanted, it was either I would do it on my own or go to the beauty salon. In the case of the latter, I sometimes felt awkward being in what is supposed to be a woman’s world. So, I decided to set-up my own barbershop to answer this “need.” And it turned out that aside from being able to get the haircut I want, I am able to earn additional income as well.
Q: So how profitable is this business?
A; Well, it really is profitable. Haven’t you noticed the number of barber shops that have lined up the streets of the city or even in rural areas? Barber shops open up like mushrooms just like beauty parlors do. It only shows that you can earn quite a good sum of money from this business. Besides, it is not really difficult to manage one.
Q: How did you start?
A; The good thing in my case is that I did not have the problem looking for a location. I simply used the space available in front of my house which makes the barber shop a true-blue home business. Then I started to get the shop fixtures I needed, particularly the barber’s chairs while I had the shop furnished and designed. It was important for me that my shop looked unique despite my loyalty to the traditional interior and exterior design of a barber shop. I made sure my barber shop stands out among the rest. Then of course I had to scout for good barbers. It was not hard because as soon as news of a new barber shop opening spread, barbers started applying. I got the best ones.
Q: How much capital did it cost you to start the home business?
A: Well, let’s just say around P150,000 including the carpentry work. The chair alone cost me around P7,000 each. It would be more if you still have to consider a rental fee which isn’t my case since I own the space.
Puerto Galera is located in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. It may only have a total population of 21,925 as estimated by the 2000 census, but tourists that visit Puerto Galera do not only double or triple the population. Thousands of tourists visit Puerto Galera because of its beaches and the nightlife. But diving, snorkeling, and partying are not the only activities that may be enjoyed in Puerto Galera. Believe it or not, tourists may also enjoy shopping there.
Why don?t we do some shopping at the White Beach.
White Beach is the most famous beach in Puerto Galera for party people as nightlife in this beach is really spectacular. White Beach has a near proximity to the town proper and going to this beach is very accessible as there are ferry routes from the Batangas Pier to the resort itself. Moreover, only one ferry ride is needed to reach the Muelle Pier. Diving, snorkeling, partying, beach volleyball and other water activities are present in the White Beach Resort but those who have not yet visited this beach may be surprised to know that this place is actually ideal for shopping too!
A tourist may come to White Beach without bringing anything as all kinds of beach wear may be bought in the countless stores established in the place, such as bikinis, board shorts, and sandos. Aside from swimwear, clothes after swimming may also be bought there such as T-shirts, shorts, pants, and sarong. These items come in cheap prices and what's even more interesting is the fact that one can even ask for more discounts! Sarongs or the cover-ups may be bought for only Php120 but the tie-dyed ones are priced at Pho180. Souvenir shirts may be bought for as low as Php100 but these are adult sizes. Sizes for children are priced at Php80. Different bathing suits are also sold in the stores in White Beach and what's interesting is the fact that all come in different interesting styles. There are even crocheted bikinis as well as crocheted cover ups.
Aside from shopping for clothes, shopping for accessories is also feasible at the White Beach. Different accessories are being sold in this beach such as accessories for the hair, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, belts, and others. If one is interested in creating sandcastles, toys for making such may be bought in the stores at the White Beach. If one forgets to bring slippers, thousands of flip-flops are being sold at the White Beach too! And it seems that one is just in the metropolitan area as the designs of the flip-flops are also cute and interesting! Those who are interested in shopping for bags will also find different kinds of bags at the White Beach. The most visible kind of bags are those that are Mangyan woven.
Before going home, do some more shopping for souvenirs. One might want to bring home key chains made of sea shells which can be bought for only Php10. There are also thousands of key chains being sold for Php20 or Php20 with designs like tiny slippers, tiny frogs, tiny lizards, and other tiny animals. Aside from key chains, one can also go shopping for refrigerator magnets. These also come in different designs such as sea shells and slippers, too.
Indeed, Puerto Galera is not only for beach lovers but it is also for shoppers. White Beach is perfect for shopping as the prices are very affordable.
Subic Bay is not only well renowned for its various attractions but also for the establishments that sells imported and local goods. The items here are tax free so the prices are considerably lower. Make sure that you have enough money whether dollars or pesos so you can shop until you want. Here are some of the establishments that will allow you to enjoy Subic Bay shopping.
Freeport Exchange Mart is located between Puregold Duty Free and Royal Subic. It offers middle brand items and caters to the C & D market. Operating from 9 am to 9 pm daily, the store offers a wide range of products. The most popular products here are export overruns of brand names such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, to name just a few.
Like its other stores, Puregold Duty Free Mall offers similar stuff, except for some items. The store caters to the B, C, & D market. If you are working on a budget, this is the best place to go shopping. The items sold here are not luxurious but offers items like Mars, Revlon, to name just a few.
Arirang Mart represents the emergence of the South Koreans in the Philippines. It is a Korean mini mart catering to the South Korean market as well as the employees of Hanjin Shipping Corporation, the biggest Korean company in the country. It offers a wide range of Korean products such as assorted seasonings for galbi, japchea, sangyeopsal, or beers,
Likewise, you can find assorted kimchi products since there are 35 different kinds of kimchi in Korea. However, you will need the help of an interpreter as most of the products do not have English labels.
Owned and managed by the Rustans Corporation, Royal Subic mall is the largest duty free shop in Subic Freeport. Located just 15 meters to the right of Puregold Duty Free Mall, it is the best place to go if you prefer luxury shopping. It boats of having in its stock some popular brands such as Guess, Lacoste, and Havianas. It has the biggest stocks of all the duty free malls in Subic Bay.
If you plan to purchase duty free items in Subic from Manila, think twice. It is not recommended as you would need to spend more than 2000 pesos. The best way to enjoy Subic Bay shopping is to go on vacation than just shop for tax-free products.