For anything remotely related to skateboarding, We Legendary is the place to go. They are one of…read morethe very few retailers in Manila who has a legitimate Nike SB account. This means that if you want a pair of sneakers from the Nike SB line like Janoskis, Kostons, and limited edition Dunk SBs, you'd have to go through them. For the more limited pairs, a queue is definitely involved so go to the store a bit earlier than you'd normally go unless you have an uncommon shoe size. To complete your whole skate ensemble, they have shirts from popular brands such as Emerica, Thrasher, and Chocolate. If you actually do skate and not just buy skate accessories because they look nice (I won't hold it against you), We Legendary has everything you need to tear up the streets. They sell a variety of skate decks, wheels, Allen bolts, and bearings.

Let it be known that I do not skate. I mean, yes, as a kid I did own a skateboard which I used to…read moreperilously roll down our street, but that's more like asphalt luge than skateboarding. However, there was a brief 2 week period where my sister tried to learn to skate, and I had no choice but to accompany her on her quest to by a longboard. That eventually brought us to Skate of the Nation, a small and unremarkable looking shop in an area beginning to get some buzz. The shop itself, well, there's not much to say. It had skateboards, surfboards, and a bunch of other related... stuff. Normally that would suggest that the place is junk, but for something like boards, it sort of works. That nonchalant simplicity fits perfectly with that particular scene, and the laid back shopkeeper exudes that same vibe. The only hints of color come from the cool boards, just how it should be.

For a straight dude, I love bags. I've never understood how some of my friends can go out of the…read morehouse without carrying a backpack or messenger bag. I mean, where would you put your chargers? What about your tablet, your books, your umbrella? Yes, these things are always with me, and I guess that's why over the years, I've invested in different kinds of bags in all shapes, forms, and sizes. Among my favorites are my Herschel Survey Backpack, my Eagle Creek messenger bag, and my big Muji messenger. The last one I bought in Tokyo, but the other two I found at Bratpack. They've got a good selection, bags that aren't cheap but aren't too expensive either. Good, imported brands, ones that you can take on rugged outdoor trips (not that I go on many of those) but also make you look cool as heck in a semi-corporate setting such as most advertising agencies. Save for my trips out of the country, I don't think I've gotten a bag from any other shop.

When you want a backpack, go to Bratpack. That should be easy enough to remember, and I have to…read morewonder why people don't hire me to become their copywriter. Turns out, Bratpack isn't all about the packs either. Sure, they have brands like Eastpack, Timbuk2, and hipster bag king Herschel, but they also offer other wares that fall in line with their aesthetic. There's Boxfresh and Supra for shoes, and they also have an assortment of apparel from other cool brands. Although it's not quite a concept store, it comes pretty close as it keeps a unified identity while stocking an assortment of different looks. It should serve as an inspiration for any new boutique hoping to hit the mark, though the new kid on the block will have a hard time if Bratpack keep expanding. Curiously, I've never actually bought a pack here, but I feel like they'll solve that problem soon. Get me some damn Topo, guys.

Simulan na ang pagsusuri mo...A store specializing in selling both skateboards and Magic: the…read moreGathering cards seems like a strange combination, but it is one that works for Kick Engines in Cubao. While it may seem that the two hobbies are complete polar opposites, the guys over at Kick Engines believe that the market exists and that they can coexist in the same establishment. For the skating part, Kick Engines sell a wide assortment of skateboard and longboard decks. For the M:tG cards end, they sell a very good selection of singles, with an emphasis on Eternal format staples like Dual Lands and such. If you're from the area, they also hold weekly tournaments for practically every format. Just check out their posted schedules so you can see which days work out for you. Every month, they also hold major events for Legacy, with big prizes for the winners. Hope to see you here!

Just like every other shop I go to when I'm broke, I tend to linger outside and peer into the glass…read morewindow for a prolonged period of time. I used to skate a lot but have been too broke to really "upgrade" my kicks so places like these truly intimidate me. But from a distance (outside the glass display window), Kick Engines has an assortment of skate accessories including really slick decks from Rayne and hella gwapo trucks from I-can't-see-that-far. Sometimes I'd see a bunch of skater tambays and really try hard not to stare at their goods but mostly, heavy and pricey Rayne decks are what I've noticed. Hope to muster enough cash to actually browse inside!

There are many establishments that sell sporting goods and apparels. But when it comes to my…read morebadminton equipment, I usually go to Juego in Greenbelt 4. This store has a complete line of accessories from shuttlecocks and rackets to grips and badminton apparel. Based on my experience, this store carries several brands of badminton shoes, including Yonex, Babolat, Li-Ning, and Kason. Badminton enthusiasts, and even those who are just starting to play the sport, know the value of wearing the right kind of footwear. Badminton shoes need to be lightweight with ample cushioning, particularly in the ankle area, and with thinner non-marking rubber soles that have good traction and grip. So I really appreciate the time and guidance that the staff at this Juego branch gives to their customers, specifically to those buying their shoes for the first time. I also respect the fact that they sell locally-made shirts and shorts at very affordable prices. Although this store specializes in badminton goods and apparels, they also have items for tennis, volleyball and basketball. It is also worth noting that this Juego shop is small, so it could be quite difficult to try on badminton shoes for someone who's big and tall as me. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from the staff.

Toby's Sports is one of the biggest retailers of sporting goods in Metro Manila. You will find…read moretheir stores in leading shopping malls here in the big city. Whatever type of sports and fitness apparel or equipment you need, there's a big chance that you can find them at Toby's Sports, particularly in their big branches at SM Mall Of Asia and Glorietta. If you're a die-hard UAAP fan, you can also get genuine UAAP apparel and accessories from Toby's. My branch of choice is in SM Aura Premier. Although the store is smaller compared to other Toby's Sports branches, I like it here because the display racks are clearly organized by theme or sport. The last time I visited was when I bought swimming goggles for the summer. They have a wall of different types, brands, and colors of goggles. The choices can be a bit overwhelming. It's a good thing that a salesperson approached me and guided me on what type of goggles would best fit my needs.

You can buy everything inside a health store and you still wouldn't be healthy without exercise…read more And if you're not naturally athletic and the thought of free running is making your joints ache then it's best to buy equipment that will help you achieve your goal. Welcome to Toby's- your one-stop fitness store filled with the latest exercise equipment in Manila. I've made a little home gym from buying their merchandise and so far it's been a worthy investment. I have a couple of weights, a yoga mat, a medicine ball and boxing gloves all purchased at reasonable prices. I wish somebody would give me a P10,000 gift certificate in this store because there's so much here that I want to take home. (Okay, maybe I'm being cheap, let's raise it to P25,000) I don't know what else to say except that I hope my wish comes true because Toby's is great and I'm a fan.

I've been looking all over Manila for Philippines fighting sticks, made from a special tropical…read morehardwood. I found them at Metro Department Store in Cebu, but figured they'd be just as easy to find in Manila. I'd been all over town, and finally found a beautiful set at Chris Sports. This is a small, but very complete sporting goods stores. The other ones I found were either outdoor gear or tennis shoes. And there were so many helpful employees, nine of them. Like I told them, in the US they'd be lucky to have 3 people working at a store of that size.

I've recently learned how to lead an active lifestyle. Because of that I found myself breaking my…read moreshoes, which is the first time that's ever happened. The usual case is that I outgrew my shoes, that's right, I use my rubber shoes so often that I actually outgrew them. Ever since I had to bury my last pair of shoes six feet under I found myself being drawn to to stores that sold rubber shoes. I'm a guy who likes distance running. I run at least four kilometers when I go out. I've been going to one store to another to look for something real good at a real nice price. Sports Central is nothing special in terms of what it offers. It offers basically the same brands compared to other sporting goods stores that have multiple brands. What I like about it though is the feel. It feels upscale and even has interactive touchscreen computers to give out info. on their products. It's a fun place to shop is my point.