I have been to many coffee shops in the Metro but this was one of those that have a unique take on…read moreit. The Warrior Poet is located in Cubao Expo otherwise known as Cubao X. This was the area formerly known to be a great place to buy different kinds of shoes with good quality and value for money. Now it is known as a venue for the arts. We saw this space while doing a bit of walking around and thought that it looked like such an inviting and relaxing place to sit and talk for a bit. The place showcased different paintings that were really attractive and for an art junkie like me, I definitely enjoyed analyzing them. The coffee was great too! It was a cold brew. I got mine iced and spiced! A bit of cinnamon was added and it definitely made the coffee better, in my opinion. It was the first time I had my coffee "spiced" and I found it really good. Other than paintings and murals, they also had a blue booklet on the table we sat in. It contained a number of poems written in Tagalog. What is a place called The Warrior Poet without poems right? I found this spot very cool because you don't see much places like this in Manila. I also heard that they also hosted small events of poem reading and appreciation which definitely gave me another reason to come back. Not only was the place cool, but the owner and Warrior Poet himself was! Noel Santos was friendly and had a little chat with us. He was very inviting and filled us in with what happens in both his shop and the whole Cubao X itself! I would recommend those who love art, poems and basically anyone who want something different to come check this place out! You'll definitely love it! Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TheWarriorPoetArtCafe Instagram: @letstellyourstory Twitter: @TheWPAC

I was hanging around Cubao Expo during a flea market and vintage sale weekend, and since I couldn't…read morefind anything worth buying, and since I was tired from rummaging around the dusty and moth-eaten shelves, I decided to check out the only place that seemed quiet enough to do my e-mails. I sat inside The Warrior Poet Art Cafe and was instantly welcomed by the bubbly owner and his friends (who all introduced themselves, but goodness me, I can't remember their names). I was looking around and checking out the artwork for a while, then I decided to get the spiced tablea hot chocolate. I was very happy with the spiced chocolate, as it was really creamy and rich: exactly how I would like a cup of hot chocolate to be. The owner kept me entertained and they were showing me how to fold origami cranes. I like the artworks so much that I promised the owner that I would come back to buy one of the paintings. Well, call me a liar because I haven't been back. Ha ha! But seriously, i think you should check this out the next time you are in the area, even just to chat with the owner.

I'm probably not as hardcore a toy collector as the rest of my nerdy peers. There are people with…read moremore nendroids than I. There are people with more figures than I. And there are most certainly people with more Legos than I. And I have to hand it to Legos of today. These playsets are amazing. There's playsets of anything popular these days. Star Wars, Harry Potter, Minecraft... the list goes on. Build City is a haven for any Lego collector. Despite the fact they have a pretty small location, they seem o have a good stock of Lego playsets and Schleich figures. It's also probably a good spot for Star Wars fans. Given the amount of Star Wars merch Lego has been putting out lately, this is a good place if you're looking to find one of their keychains or Star Wars themed playsets.

My lobster and I have promised each other that one day, we're going to buy the Lego Death Star set…read more(which insults my wallet every time I walk into Hobbes and Landes since it's priced at around thirty thousand pesos). In the meantime though, we're content to browse through the store's smaller (and cheaper) selections as we work our way towards achieving that ridiculously overpriced but oh so tempting dream. We love this particular branch of Hobbes and Landes since it's geared towards Lego merchandise, and it's also never full. Trinoma's third floor doesn't get that much foot traffic outside of the cinemas, so this place is always blissfully empty, so you can spend hours ogling the toys and the puzzles, and no one's going to judge.

Personally, I find that the best thing about Calvin Klein is its casual but edgy designs. It's a…read morestyle that extends to the display and decor of their store. This particular branch in Power Plant however is a little disappointing because they don't carry much designs and the designs that they do have are not updated. You'll still get some good classics though and they also sell cK leather bags. The staff is attentive and polite though. I also like the fact that they don't hover while you're looking through the racks. You'll find plenty of cool blouses and shoes here though. They also have their share of cool but understated accessories. On the other end of the mall, you will find Calvin Klein's underwear branch and this one is just as complete in their collection as the other bigger branches. The saleslady is also polite and is knowledgeable about underwear sizes.

One of my favorite hang out malls nearby our house…read more.. The store in this mall have changed ever since I knew this establishment... The stalls now are more "less expensive," maybe local and/or emerging brands?... and the bargain and/or depot stores.... which are quiet cool for me. So, If you want to break out from the known or well-known types, the expensive and exclusive vibe... then visit the stores in Metro East! I am sure you will find great and interesting finds!

Perhaps one could consider this mall to be the spear counterpart to Sta. Lucia, which is the mall…read morenearest to it in terms of proximity. Indeed, they could not be more different from one another; but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The complementary marks they have consist mainly of the stalls and shops they possess and the target market they cater to, and while Sta. Lucia takes any and all into her loving arms, Robinson's Metro Eat also does the same, but on another end of the scale. While the overall impression of Robinson's Metro East is that it seems to be pricier, the two malls share a connection; it's really not too hard to imagine a daytrip through both. But if you're more interested in looking (or rather walking) at the brighter side of things, then the well-lit Robinson's Metro East is probably the better choice for you and your loved ones when you decide to go out.

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.

They're located at the ground floor and the shop is big and had lots of stuff that I couldn't find…read morein other bookstores like the Canson Mi-teintes for my oil pastel artwork. Service is very slow though, and it was quite hard to find staff to ask questions with. I approached a staff and asked if it was possible for them to cut the board I was about to purchase as it was too big - she said no and walked away, seemingly in a hurry. The lines at the cashier were long and it took time for me to get my stuff paid.

Come late May or early June, students usually flock to National Bookstore for their endless supply…read moreof notebooks, pencil cases, expandable envelopes, packs of paper, backpacks, and correction tape--all of them brand new. The sheer diversity of school supplies being sold here makes it such an ideal place to visit before the start of the school year, especially if you find yourself lacking materials for a project and you can only make one stop to find what you need. Even though National Bookstore's products may be less fancy than other stores, I still end up here because I can buy everything in one go. Desk organizers, post-it notes, folders, Moleskine journals, pens, highlighters, scissors, glue, and heck, even a portable safe! If it's writing or organizer-related, National Bookstore probably has it. Shangri-La's National Bookstore used to have a kids section where you could sit down on the carpet and do nothing but read. I know this because I once spent an entire afternoon there after my mom left me to do some errand and forgot to pick me up. I remember reading Shiloh to pass the time. It's gone now, though. Walking through their aisles earlier today, I definitely think that the bookstore looks smaller. It's clear that National Bookstore tends to prioritize their supplies these days instead of their books, so there's no reading area anymore and you're pretty much expected to buy a book and go. Still, for what it's worth, National Bookstore stays true to its name by providing a variety of materials in one space.

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. :)

This is the second mall SM ever built, after SM City North EDSA. While North EDSA has grown to…read moregargantuan proportions, this mall in the dikit-dikitness of Manila got a bit stunted. There's only one public bathroom in the entire mall on the Lower Ground Floor. It's normally super busy, so it's no surprise it's dirty. Sinks sometimes do not work. There is no soap. Also, the mall in general just looks very dated. I don't know why SM doesn't invest more money into improving the appearance of the mall inside, as this mall is always PACKED with people. It's a transit hub, as the Taytay-Quiapo bus, the LRT-2 V. Mapa Station and the Divisoria-Cubao Jeepneys all traverse the perimeter of the mall. I guess that's one of its few pluses, that it is very accessible. Choices inside are ok. Normal mall fare, nothing special. The cinemas have huge, soaring ceilings but haven't been updated since the 90s so it feels kinda damp and creepy. Especially because they're almost always empty. :O At least it's always super cold! If you're trying to go on a leisurely walk around some mall, don't go here. Robinsons Magnolia is a short Jeep or LRT ride away, as is Greenhills via bus. If you want to feel like the 12 million people of Metro Manila are standing next to you, come here. But I do have to say, it's a prime location.

I have to say right off the bat that I'm a bit biased in giving this mall a review. This is after…read moreall the first SM mall I ever went to so I guess it's kinda right that this would also be the mall's first review. Back when I was young my grandfather had a house along Victoria Street in New Manila. Me and my cousins would sometimes go here to just go around and kill time. They would go window shopping and I would look at some of the newer games at the arcade. We would end the visit by having dinner or merienda at one of the many restaurants that populated this mall. I'm no longer sure what has changed with Sta . Mesa since I got back here. The last time I was here I ended up buying pizza at Shakey's and wwatching a block screening of The Wolverine with some of my friends from law school for Bar Operations. I'm glad this place stood the test of time. In a way, it shows just how some things are capable of withstanding change, for how long though, I have no clue. I just hope that this mall doesn't burn out anytime soon.