I stumbled into the Lagusnilad underpass one rainy afternoon last month, dodging puddles and trying…read moreto cut through from Taft to City Hall. Wasn't even looking for books--just wanted dry feet--but there it was, this cozy little chaos of shelves tucked between the clothing stalls. The smell hit me first: old paper, a bit of dust, and that unmistakable comfort of a real secondhand bookstore. The guy behind the counter (think his name was Aj?) looked up, smiled like he'd been expecting me, and asked what I was in the mood for. No pressure, just genuine curiosity. I ended up spending almost an hour there, flipping through worn paperbacks and hardcovers that felt like they'd lived interesting lives. Found a beat-up but complete set of Garcia Marquez short stories for P250 and a pristine copy of "The Shadow of the Wind" that I'd been hunting forever. Prices were ridiculously fair--nothing over P400--and the selection is surprisingly deep for such a small space: classics, Filipino lit, sci-fi, even some niche non-fiction. They've got everything neatly sorted by genre now (huge improvement from the early days I've heard about), and if something's buried in the back, they'll dig it out without making you feel like you're inconveniencing them. What really sealed it for me was the conversation. We chatted about favorite authors, he recommended a couple of newer Filipino titles I hadn't heard of, and even held a book I wanted for a few days when I realized I didn't have enough cash. Super chill, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about books--not just selling them. I've been back twice since, and every time it feels like visiting an old friend who happens to run the best hidden bookstore in Manila. If you're anywhere near Intramuros or Taft, duck in--you won't regret it. Absolute gem. Five bright, dusty, book-scented stars.

I was commuting alone, on my way to San Agustin Church (Intramuros) to attend my very first school…read moresanctioned rally. From the LRT Central Terminal Station, I needed to cross Padre Burgos Avenue, so I instinctively followed the foot traffic that led me to the Lagusnilad underpass. Inside were a number of stalls selling clothes and other knickknacks. But something else caught my attention as I was passing by - a small secondhand bookstore! As a certified bookworm, I was pleasantly surprised. The makeshift shelves added character to the store. Some books were arranged by genre, while some were just randomly piled up one over the other. I imagined that getting one from the bottom would be like playing a game of Jenga. They have a wide selection of novels, textbooks and even some magazines that won't burn a hole in your pocket. I saw works by Oscar Wilde, Dan Brown, George R.R. Martin. Since I was in a middle of a commute and it wasn't practical to carry a heavy bag of books, I couldn't buy all the stuff I wanted. I settled for a Dual-language Book of French Stories (by the likes of Voltaire, Camus, etc.) for only P100. I later found out that this humble store had a Facebook page. They post their new acquisitions and even accept reservations. How neat is that? For me, I discovered a real hidden treasure when I literally found "Books from Underground" (that's the name of the book store).

From the founders of Bookay-Ukay, this small place full of books is quite similar to the original…read morestore, with a variety of books, from bestselling authors like Paulo Coelho to not-so-mainstream finds like Chocolat by Joanne Harris. They also have old books you won't find in National Bookstore or Powerbooks anymore, like Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew. Those books certainly brought me down memory lane. The books are grouped according to categories, though there are no category titles. The books are slightly cheaper than the books you would find in mainstream bookstores, but still more expensive than those you would find in other secondhand bookstores like Booksale. But if you're just near BookFellas or Bookay-Ukay, why not buy from them if you find a book you like, also to support small local businesses like these? I remember buying hard-to-find books from Bookay-Ukay. I would do the same for BookFellas, should I find a book I really like. On my first visit, though, I was just happy browsing. BookFellas is located just beside two food places, Happy Kitchen and Abra Miki ni Nanay. So, when you get hungry after book browsing, you can conveniently eat at any of these places. In my case, I browsed books while waiting for my order.

If you are looking for rare Filipiniana books, this is one bookstore that you can go to. Located in…read morethe 4th floor of the Silahis Center, this book shop and gift store has quite the collection of literary works, especially featuring the writings of renowned literary authors and essayists from the Philippines. Some of the books here are old and dusty, which is kinda sad because that somehow reflects most of the public's disregard for our very own authors, putting a primer on foreign and Western authors more instead. That's a little sayang, considering that the Philippines has always had this rich literary tradition that has defined the voice of different generations of Filipinos. It is sad to think that this bookshop may already be in its twilight hours, since the general state of neglect and disrepair just goes to show that this place doesn't really earn a lot of money. I think it is time to do our part in helping these businesses out the best way we can. We can start by recognizing that our local authors can produce impressive works in all genres that can compete with other foreign bestselling authors. Aside from their collection of aging and somehow tattered Filipiniana a books they also have a big collection stamps and coins that are enough to send even the most hardcore collectors atwitter with excitement.

Going into Intramuros, I can't fault you if you expect to swim in a veritable flood of Filipino…read moreculture and heritage, and this place is one of the best places to go to if you want to experience just that. Lauded as one of the oldest bookstores in the country, it also has one of the best collections of rare (and ancient) books. Aside from the old and limited-edition books, you can also browse through their art and antique collections. Bring a lot of moolah if you're into collecting - the pieces can be a bit pricey.

No, the store or stores here are not named Unnamed. They simply sell DVDs which are illegal, but…read morewhich the city silently tolerates because it gives employment to a lot of people. I was walking in the Quiapo area a few days ago. While there, a guy approached me and asked me if I wanted to buy "BluRay quality" DVDs. I really wasn't all that interested, but I have been wanting to watch the Netflix series Daredevil. Since Netflix is not (yet) available in the Philippines, and because I don't want to download the series, I've been looking for a copy, legal or otherwise. The guy said they may have a copy, and that I should follow him. This didn't feel right. I mean, it was broad daylight, but his asking me to enter one of the old buildings in the area didn't feel too safe, but I went anyway. I was surprised. I had known that the Muslim section of Quiapo used to be the place to buy cheap DVDs. Here, on the other side of Quezon Boulevard, was a glass door that had no number and no signage. In I went and discovered store after store selling nothing but DVDs. The place was air-conditioned and was not wanting in customers. To cut to the chase, I got my copy of Daredevil for P40. I also got a copy of The Flash as well as Agents of SHIELD. I couldn't take photos, of course. Not at the risk of bodily harm. But I was able to take a shot outside. I may or may not go back one of these days.

Unprofessional, disrespectful and rude! If I could rate them 0 stars I would, the attendants was…read morevery rude. my friends and i entered and started browsing and talking about comic books we liked when all of a sudden we heard the attendants behind the counter say "wala yan, magpapalamig lang yan" (they're just here to cool off, they wont buy). we got annoyed, paid for our comic books and just left. we've bought from this branch multiple times before but we're never going back there again.

Believe it or not, Filbar's has been around since 1979. I remember going here with my dad and my…read morebrother -- both comic geeks -- when I was very young. It made such an impression on me that I found myself going there years later to feed my own nerdy needs. To categorize them just as a comic book store would be a big mistake. While bulk of their products do include comics from big wigs like DC, Marvel, Vertigo and more, they do have so much more than that. Graphic Novels are among the many things you'll find here. We'll technically speaking, it can fall into the comic book category as well. What I love about Filbar's is that they carry works by local artists. I was extremely impressed that they have Arnold Arre's collected works for Mythology Class and it's priced at less than P500. For someone who has pored over every page of Mythology Class in my college days, this is really a gem of a find. When famous Pinoy inker and local graphic novel legend Gerry Alanguilan came out with Elmer in 2011, this was my first place to look for a copy. Thankfully, I did get my hands on one. They also have a lot of comic-inspired shirts, posters and bags. Of course, they have collectible toys, too. I've been looking into collecting Funko POP lately and of course, they would be my top pick for sourcing my first ever piece. I can't wait to get my hands on that Dancing Groot Funko POP. Filbar's keeps the fangirl/geek in me alive!

After spending a good part of the day witnessing the enticements and rewards of capitalism, you…read moremight feel a desire no matter how faint to feed your soul for a change. That's when it's time to look for a book which offer inspiration and upliftment of the spirit. Enter PCBS or Philippine Christian Bookstore. Browsing through their titles, one may be pleased to discover scholarly and competent commentaries on the Bible, moving stories of people's real-life experiences of grace, theologies of various religious themes, and self-help books. They also sell CDs of contemporary religious music and popular radio broadcasts. You can also find decorative items with scriptural quotations and beautifully-printed calendars featuring artistic pictures and appropriate lines from the Bible. A visit to PCBS is really an experience which is worthwhile for any sincere soul seeking the truth about life's meaning or for anyone who just wants to take a break from the chaos of this busy world that never seems to stop for rest.

Looking for affordable, educational and still efficient books? Then head on to Booksale, a bookshop…read morethat has almost everything: from recipe books to children's books, medical references, comic books, fiction and non-fiction novels, magazines, etc. Most of their books are sold for a much lower price, since they're already second-hand books (don't worry, the pages are still intact for most of them and they still look good in terms of condition). Some of their books may be outdated, but still full of information which you could use in whatever you need.