Office Warehouse is a very useful place and a comparable alternative to National Book Store and…read moreother office supply stores. I became familiar with it as there is a branch in the SM Hypermart that's right by my place. Initially I thought that it wouldn't be useful to me as a student (back then), but after walking through the aisles, I realized that so many of the stuff I needed was right here. Yellow pad, 1/4 pad, 1/2 pad, lengthwise pad, Mead notebooks, Schneider pens, chalk, eraser, greeting cards, and many other essential items for work and play. Once, I even purchased a gift for Kris Kringle here (it was a piggy bank). Two thumbs up!

Office Warehouse sells office and school supplies from the simple pen and paper to printers and…read moredesks. This place is a great option for students to go before school shopping if they don't want the huge crowd and aren't really interested in the design of things. The branches may be limited and this place may not be as famous as the others but it serves its purpose. They have all your basic pad paper sizes, notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, containers for you supplies, the works! Office Warehouse doesn't cater to the biggest crowd but they definitely have the supplies you need just not with as varied a selection. This place is focused solely on supplies unlike more stores that sells books...and supplies to follow. They also have good quality office items like desks and chairs so you can really go in here and purchase everything you need for your office or study area.

You walk through the store and nobody will leave you alone. Until you get to customer service and…read morenobody wants to help you. A room full of people waiting to be helped, 4 people sitting behind the counter and only one of them working.

SM Department Stores has been renamed as SM Stores but they still stand for everything you need in…read morejust one place. The one in Megamall is one of the biggest and easiest to navigate. Each floor is designated to items catering to a particular gender or age group. They also have a floor just for home furnishings and appliances. I've lost count of how many times I've been in dire need of a gift item at the last minute and was saved by the SM Store in Megamall. They house almost all of the most famous and dependable brands be it for clothes, toys, footwear, beddings or appliances. It makes it easier to shop if the other brand is just a few steps away. You can browse and compare all the brands without breaking a sweat. They have a lot of fitting rooms so the only times when you have to wait for your turn to try out an outfit is if it is the holiday season or during a sale. And they have several weekend sales throughout the year with numerous items selling for up to just 50% of their original price. And like what I mentioned earlier, it's easy to navigate this huge store. It's basically just one large rectangle of shopping haven with several floors.

When I was putting together my wedding registry, Dimensione was on top of my list. Their wedding…read moreregistry service is pretty amazing. First, they publish the registered couples on a list displayed near the store entrance so you'll know ahead of time if they are registered here. It makes gift giving (and receiving so much easier). Second, they offer free gift wrapping of items in the registry. Third, it's easier to eliminate the stress of duplicate gifts since their registry shows up in the system of all branches. They did make a mistake with my registry and I received two of the same item when I requested to limit the quantity for this particular item to just one. They were quick to correct it though and offered a replacement of any item with the same or lesser value. Finally, if the gift giver is unable to get the item on the day of the purchase, they newlyweds can opt to pick these up from one of the branches or even get the gifts delivered to their home for free. Aside from Dimensione being the top pick for wedding registries, they really do have some stylish pieces of furniture and other items that can add class to any home. Whether you're into vintage items, the modern minimalist look or a bit of pop culture, they have pieces that match varying tastes.

I love this furniture store for the unique items that they sell. I love how they have a nice…read moreassortment of chairs, tables, sofas and other home furniture and accessories. Their products are modern, but still homey. Since they carry several brands, they have a good range when it comes to prices. Some are affordable and others are in the pricey side, but you will be able to see why through the design or material. My husband and I were so pleased with the dining table and dining chairs that we purchased from them! I also love how they have little trinkets for the house like coasters, trash cans, jewelry containers, clocks, etc. it's always fun looking around their store. Sometimes I even just enter without really needing anything just to see what's new.

Excellent selection. Helpful staff and great designs…read more Prices were fair compared to the USA stores. What I really like in this store is the quality control. Everything is well made and not to worry about cracks, chipping, discolorations and scratches that I've experience from other furniture stores after delivery.

Great selection of unique gifts from the Philippines. We found gifts for all our family members…read moreback in the states

One of the things I feel strongly about is saving the earth. His is mostly because, well, it's the…read moreonly place we can call home, right? This is one of the reasons why I like Papemelroti. They use recycled paper for all their paper products, from notebooks, calendars, scrapbooks, even extending to boxes and other décor. They also have home décor available that would definitely be a lovely addition to any country or shabby chic home. Aside from patterns as prints, they also have several items with themed illustrations such as birds, flowers, or even designs that are very Filipino such as jeepneys, tricycles, men and women in baro't saya, etcetera. I must admit that sometimes, I even go just to look around, mostly because there's so much beauty inside. There is a warmth to all of their products, even in the handmade trinkets and accessories. One of the owners' children, artist Robert Alejandro, paints and decorates the walls and even the ceilings of their stores, which makes just going around the store a delight.

I can't believe that there aren't any reviews for this place. I love going here. It's like going…read moreto Ikea, but with products from Japan. They have numerous items that are made in Japan. I have purchased items for my bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. I just recently ordered a reclining sofa from Nitori. It will take over a month to receive the item, but it will be worth the wait. The prices for reclining sofas at other stores were much higher. I have purchased a diatomite bathroom mat. It's wonderful stepping onto the mat after taking a shower. I no longer have to dry the bottom of my feet. The mat absorbs the water. My new travel seat cushion is awesome. There's an oval hole in the center that slides onto the handle of my rolling carry-on luggage.

Whenever I find myself inside the Prizmic & Brill showroom in Greenbelt 5, I can't help but feel as…read moreif I were transported into an incredibly luxurious African safari camp. The brand leans toward having a heavy, masculine aesthetic with their line of home furnishings made out of leather, wood and nickel fittings. Known for their beautiful one-of-a-kind trunks and valises, it's always a surprise for anyone to find out that Prizmic & Brill is produced locally. While talking to the shop assistant, I found out that all of Prizmic & Brill's pieces are fabricated in their factory in Pampanga and their pieces are shipped around the world to high-end clients and shops. It's always a great thing to find out that Filipino craftsmanship can truly compete in the global stage. And looking around the Prizmic & Brill showroom is a true testament to that.

If you've read my other reviews, you would know that I'm crazy about furniture stores…read more Sometimes...or rather, at all times, whenever I find myself in one, I'd imagine my future house and what pieces would go where. I have a very active imagination, you see. Prizmic & Brill is one of those stores that I'd want to buy from when I have my dream home. As a kid, I absolutely loved The Mummy movies. They are still a favorite to this day. I loved the set, the props, the costumes and the idea of being in a wild adventure in the deserts of Egypt. Walking into the store feels exactly that way - like I'm part of the movie and I'm revisiting my childhood. I also wanted to be an archaeologist growing up but I never got to pursue it and was also afraid of getting cursed, haha. Their furniture has this (a term I seem to use often now) old world and sophisticated, masculine feel. They use hardwood, rattan, glass, brass and leather for their pieces. And the quality of the craftsmanship is A+. I also found out that their furniture is made in the Philippines! Definitely another Filipino gem to be proud of.

Looking for cool and functional items you didn't even know existed? Then head on to Saizen, an…read more88-Peso store that sells items from Japan. Every time we pass by Trinoma, it's a must to visit Saizen, since they update the store every month and goodies are available every now and then. Although it is a surplus store, their items are still efficient and safe to use and eat (for the snacks). They sell from cute, colorful notebooks to yummy chocolate wafers, kitchen and dining items, bathroom items, and even beauty items! They sell all kinds of things, and some even make great ideas for gifts! Don't worry, 88 Pesos may be expensive for a three-piece candy, they offer half prices or one price for two items as well, so you can be assured you're getting enough for what you pay for. Tip: it's inside True Value hardware shop, so don't back away when you don't see it as a standalone shop.

Who doesn't love Saizen? It's such an amazing store and I really spend hours just looking through…read morethe P88 finds. Whether it's items for the kitchen, for the office or for personal use, you will definitely find something to your liking at Saizen. Funny though, I always go here not intending to buy anything but I always end up with several items costing me about P500 or P600. No worries though, I always end up using what I buy anyway. The best finds so far, the vacuum / compression bags. When you're packing for a trip, they really save a ton of space in your luggage. I also found some wool gloves for those quick trips to winter countries. I don't mind buying the cheap kind since I don't use them that often and they actual work for protecting your hands from the cold. If you like being creative with your kid's baon or your own packed lunch for the office, Saizen is an amazing place to buy bento stuff. They have rice shapers, sandwich cutters and different types of lunch boxes that would drive any bento momma crazy.