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.

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.

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.

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.

Secondhand bookshops are treasure groves for me. I just love this tiny panicky feeling I get every…read moretime I enter, not knowing where to start. In places like these, you'll never know what you could find. So it really feels like you have to be alert and look really carefully, especially if you're hunting down a very rare book or magazine issue. Enough about books though. Foreign and art magazines are pretty hard to find locally. I used to have copies of Juxtapoz mailed to me by a friend who lives abroad. They take forever to arrive and by the time I get my hands on them, a new issue will be out. I was thrilled when the cashier answered "meron" to me when I asked if they had copies of Juxtapoz. I mean why didn't I think of that before? I don't know. It honestly never occurred to me to ask the keepers. My bad. The issues I get are still outdated, it's pretty hard to come by, after all. But at the very least I don't have to spend too much on shipping costs and whatnot.

When i was a kid, I dreamed of having my own library at home. I would line up my books in small…read moreshelves and imagine a whole room filled with books about various topics and fields. But as I was growing up, I noticed that books, especially hardbound ones can be quite pricey. So the dream just waned away. However, Booksale has rekindled this vision when it introduced to me the concept of buying pre-loved books and magazines. Actually, I don't consider myself as a bookworm. I just experience a simple joy when I see my books lined up side by side waiting to be opened and explored (it makes me feel organized). But more than books, I am a magazine person. I read fashion and travel magazines more than books. When I am in Booksale, I usually spend a lot of time perusing through their back issues of foreign magazines and find the ones that interest me. Since they aren't current issues, they are sold cheaper so I usually end up buying two or three issues...per field of interest.

The Philippine Star is one of the most read newspapers in the country…read more When I want to compare the news or read a different take on it, I get The Philippine Star. Now, they also have a website which they update regularly and the news there is almost always up to date. When people need to place personal advertisements or announcements, they sometimes go to this office to do so. If you're gonna subscribe to them and ask them to send you a newspaper every day, come here and they'll help you. Or if you're cancelling your subscription, the people here can get it done for you. Funny, when my schoolmates wanted to OJT in The Philippine Star, they passed their papers here. I never found out if they got accepted. But if you need anything or if they can do anything for you, visit this little branch of The Philippine Star.

Just In Magazine Corner is just a small kiosk found at the second floor of Promenade Mall in…read moreGreenhills. Even so, I still visit it whenever I'm at the mall. I always believe that there are hidden treasures in shops that sell pre-loved books. I have found many of my hard-to-find book collection this way. Indeed, this particular stall does not have a lot of titles. But they have a lot of Archie comic books. Actually, the main business of the stall is selling magazines, both local and international. I must admit that they have an impressive variety of imported magazines. I have seen publications about weddings, brides, guns, cars, travel, hobbies, sports, fashion, and showbiz. Nothing special, you say. But what if I tell you that the magazines, even if out-of-date, all look pristine and new? Somehow, this magazine corner knows how to preserve their inventory. The only thing that I don't like about this kiosk is that they don't have their own lighting. They rely on the mall's yellow lighting. The problem is they are located in a corner. So the shop can be dark and gloomy, especially for guys with poor eyesight just like me. I can't spend a lot of time at the kiosk browsing through what they have to offer.

This is one of my favorite bookstores in the Philippines. I love the aesthetic inside and how it…read morewas laid out especially when they have photo of a woman create with books. It was also bonus that my book, Bridging the Confidence, was available at this location. Definitely a must go if you love book stores.

Bookstore -- more than books! (MANILA Philippines)…read more My two daughters would absolutely love this bookstore if we had one in the U.S. My 10-year old niece who resides in the Philippines introduced me to this store when I told her that I was looking for Sonny Angel merchandise for my adult daughter at home who loves this stuff. Not only did they have them but they had so many different kinds of Pop Mart blind box merchandise meaning you do not know which figure you will receive until you buy one and open the box. The bookstore also carries a good selection of Manga books series which my other daughter would be excited to see. For Yuko Shimizu fans... they sell the mural shirts here too. After all the searching for the Sonny Angel merch I was glad to find them in this bookstore and surprised my child with the plush. Customer service was excellent, they were very friendly and helpful. Great prices! The bookstore is located in the Mitsukoshi BGC in Taguig Metro Manila. Review #3294