With more and more interest going into the "nerdy" or "geek" culture, comic shops and hobby shops…read morehave arisen to provide specialty shop services to the growing population. So, where would one go for both? One option would be Filbar's, which manages to sell comic books, cards and figurines of superheroes and occasionally favorite fantasy characters from Japanese Anime as well. With these shops scattered all over, one can imagine a network of these subcultures managing to tell each other about the latest small place where one can pick up a comic or a toy or even a card game that caters to their hobbies and interests. This branch of Filbar's in particular is conveniently located inside a mall and looks more like an open stall than an enclosed store thus permitting even girls like me to get in on the trend. The layout and location of the store diminishes any sense of hesitation that uninitiated yet curious passersby may feel and the general interest magazines displayed in the front portion seems to be an effective ploy to get any mall-goer to do the first step: check out the store. With Filbar's around, we can be comfortable showing our curiosity and openness for this new culture.

Filbar's is as classic as the comic books that it sells. Even when I was a kid ths palce was…read morealready selling comic books and other similar materials to kids. I mean, I cannot recount the number of times that I have walkd into this store to look and salivate at all the comic books and comic related materials that I could find in his place. I basically had a nerdgasm every time I went here as a kid. It was just one of those really cool places that I had to go to when I found myself in SM Megamall. Many years have passed and yet, this place is still standing. It just goes to show that the comic book following in this country was strong then and still is now. I'm glad this place opened and is still open. Like I said, this place is a classic and deserves a lot of respect, love, and attention. Go and buy something here.

I consider myself as a major geek. At my age, I still read a lot of comic books and play trading…read morecard games. Filbar's provides me with almost everything I need to keep the geek in me alive and kicking. They also have an extensive selection of local and foreign magazines that caters to various fields and special interests. I was able to get my hands on some photography and fashion magazines when I was there even though I wasn't planning in getting any. Aside from selling old and and current issues of magazine titles, they also have toys and cards that collectors and hobbyists would find interesting. I go here occasionally to update my Magic: The Gathering decks and check on new expansion and booster packs available. They also have cards sold by the piece if you're looking for anything specific. Sales people may seem smug at times but they're not that annoying, get past that and they can actually be quite helpful.

Every Manileno pretty much knows that National Boookstore is THE place to get office and school…read moresupplies; that has been pretty much covered in all the other Yelpers' reviews so I won't go into that anymore. Instead, I would like to highlight National Bookstore's Project Aral, which is one of the back-to-school programs that I support every June. Project Aral aims to provide basic school supplies to children in public schools. Every summer, National Bookstore creates these packets which contain some notebooks, pencils and erasers and sells them for P25 each. Shoppers can purchase as many of these packets at the stores as they like, but instead of taking these home, you simply affix your name to each packet and leave it at the store. National Bookstore will keep all purchased packets and later, distribute them to sponsored public schools around the country. What I like about Project Aral is that it makes helping so accessible to so many people, who may not otherwise have the time or bigger resources to give.

Perhaps the most widely respected newspaper in the country, the Philippine Daily Inquirer is a…read morefavorite to those who can afford its rates, which are higher than most newspapers, but also guarantees the quality of the work. Like many Filipino newspapers, the publication of the newspaper is entirely in English (to the delight of many foreigners and also to cater to the tastes of many of the Filipinos who learned the English language and also use it for business) and continues to become the popular choice of daily news in areas like Manila or Makati. Covering sections in sports, leisure, lifestyle, and of course current events, this particular newspaper also has an online feature, making sure that it reaches out to even the common Overseas Filipino Worker. With no newspaper getting more respected coverage, it is clear to see that the PDI has managed to make its way into the cosmopolitan lifestyle of the working Filipino in the corporate world and in the business sphere

National Bookstore is a part of everybody's schooltime memories. And for good reason, they have…read morealmost everything that a student needs. From textbooks to notebooks to writing implements, just name it and they have it. They have magazines, graphic novels and even gift wrapping services. They have school supplies of different brands so there are choices depending on which style or price range you prefer the most. The also have their Best Buy products which are more affordable school and office supplies. And for bibliophiles like myself, they sell a lot of books. You're sure to find the latest bestsellers in their shelves. They have also started bringing to the Philippines famous authors like Nicholas Sparks and Mitch Albom for book signing events. They also sell paperbacks for a discounted price although these are mostly copies that are not really of brand new condition. Its founder, affectionately called Nanay Coring, has really built a company that Filipinos can look up to. From a small store in Avenida, they now have more than a hundred branches scattered around the archipelago. National Bookstore will always be the Filipino student's best friend.

National Bookstore suddenly had a lot of indirect competitors the past few years and I am happy…read morethat it gave them the drive to think of new products to offer their loyal customers. I am not so fond of this megamall branch because the one in Shangri la is my favorite, it is newly renovated and very well-lit. This branch is a little bit dark and people always seem to be too busy to help you out. I will never get tired of entering national bookstore because (aside from the fact that I love books), it has everything that I need when it comes to office supplies. They even have the Kate Spade office collection and it brought them to another level, which I think will really work out for them. I have not renewed my Laking National card though (my friends, too) and I think they should work on their rewards platform next.

I love this bookstore for the reason that it sells stuff, more than just books, that I can't get…read moreanywhere else. They have really cute trinkets that can be used in school or in the office. Place is usually not crowded and it really has the quiet library vibe, minus the irritable librarian. I also admire the sales people because they are very helpful and they always assist you in finding the book or magazine that you need. If you're the busy mom or the ate that doesn't want to be bugged by the kids while shopping, there is a small nook here where you can leave the little rascals and keep them occupied while you go around the mall. Just make sure they are old enough to stay by themselves or you can have yaya watch over them. Books are arranged neatly according to topic and field so you can easily locate the ones that you are interested in. So if you're the bookworm who loves to immerse himself in a lot of reading, this is definitely the place to go to.

Powerbooks is National Bookstore masquerading as a specialty bookstore to divert attention from the…read morefact that they hold the monopoly for the book business in the Philippines. In all fairness, when they were starting out, they did carry specialized titles that National Bookstore didn't have. As a bookstore freak, I remember nagging my parents to bring me to Powerbooks when they still had only one branch in Makati. I'd always come out with a smile on my face. I bought my Snoopy comics there and during the height of my Spice Girl fandom, I actually ordered their giant hardbound book. In hindsight, it was a humongous waste of money. I wonder why my parents even let me buy it. Anyway, that's not the point. Powerbooks is the place to go when you want to be surrounded by more books than supplies. Nowadays, I can hardly tell the difference between Powerbooks than National Bookstore.

Back in the good old days, people actually had to pay for printed material if they wanted the…read morelatest updates or stories. Newspapers were meant for general news. But if you had a hobby or special interest, you really had to invest in periodicals, like magazines or journals, that specifically tackled your interest. Magazine and periodical stores were nearly a dime a dozen back when I was young. There were so many of them that distinguishing one from the other was a bit difficult. Nowadays, many of them have fallen to the wayside, or simply gone out of business. These establishments are a dying breed. I'm actually surprised I still saw this place. Usually, the only stores like it that still survive tend to cater to a niche market. This place on the other hand, sells niche products, periodicals. They have magazines that will probably satisfy the hobbies or peculiarities of almost any kind of person.

Fully Booked Katip is a place I regularly pass by whenever I get picked up. My dad comes from the…read morenorth, so I chill at Regis Center while waiting for him. This particular branch is really fun to stay in, because it's hardly ever full. The staff are used to dealing with the "college kid" demographic, and know all the latest Young Adult or Romance hits, and are very responsive when you want to have one ordered from another branch to be picked up or to pre-order a book. It's especially nice to hole up in the back part of the branch or in the couch seat in one corner and just will the hours away. There's fancy stationary and pens available too, if you find yourself short of any. Another thing I love about it is how it's right next to a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branch, where you can enjoy your latest book buy with some warm tea and pastries to keep you company.

Fully Booked is the heaven of book lovers! They have great selections of all sorts, and even a…read morego-to for comic books and graphic novels. The store gives a classy and comfortable vibe. Conveniently placed in Katipunan, students, teachers and even parents are the usual customers who drop by at this branch. I personally go to Fully Booked to buy quality art supplies that may not be found in other bookstores. I also find some of their items exclusive that's great for gift shopping. This particular branch may not be big enough to house the particular item(s) you're looking for, but the staff can help you find them at the other bigger branches in the metro. The downside for me is that their items can be pricey and buying from there can make your wallet cry :( However, the place for me can be a good treat-yourself once in a while. It will also help to avail their membership card if you're planning to buy books and supplies there regularly. I will surely drop by Fully Booked once in a while to update myself with cool art stuff and perhaps buy a book as well. :)

I have this problem where I cannot walk into a bookstore and then walk out empty handed. I'm a big…read morebookworm and saying goodbye to an entire store filled with books without a book for myself is just unthinkable. That's like hiring a prostitute, giving her a hug, and then sending her away. Actually, it's worse than that. EXPLOIT THE OPPORTUNITY, methinks. This is especially hard when it comes to secondhand or cheap bookstores like Bookay-Ukay. This place is amazing. It is filled from ceiling to floor with books - and not the usual crap you see in chain bookstores, either. You can tell that these titles were handpicked by whoever manages this place, and you're sure to find something you like in this hole-in-the-wall. My girlfriend had to drag me away from these books. I wanted to buy the entire building.

Finally visited the store, saw one of my fave comic books and bought it. never knew that I could…read moreget one for a such a low-cost. I'll definitely visit the store again for sure.