I'm into watches. I think I've said that more enough times, hehe, than I should but I'm going to…read moresay it anyway in case someone reads this and is unaware. Anyway, I've been seeing a lot of this brand recently here and there. In fact, most of the malls I go to has at least one Asprey. Eventually I got tired and began to get curious. I walked up to it and realized that they were selling watch straps. Apparently these straps are something special since they're made from calf skin all the way from Italy. Again the country that's so good with working leather, maybe it's because their country is shaped like a boot? Anyway, if you want to add a little bit of flair or personality to your watch, then I guess the best way to do it would be to simply change the strap. It won't cost you much but will go a long way in making you stand out from the crowd.

Compared to its neighboring businesses in the area, Wellmanson presents itself like a glittering,…read moregolden boutique staffed by well-dressed ladies in blazers and pencil skirts assisting you in buying stuff you likely don't really need. Sure you might have just come in to get a pair of nice pliers or leatherette cord to make accessories with, but you will be bewildered with the wealth of other DIY craft items and supplies and gift items in general. Where else would you be able say "Look at these beads!" and "Check out this dog hair trimmer!" in the same breath? They have mini water fountains, and toy brick sets, and thighmasters and who knows what else. They're like a mini-mall oasis in the middle of Quiapo. The place is somewhat labyrinthine in structure, and while it is fun to look around and see what the next room holds, it does get confusing if you're really looking for something specific. Their payment system is also a bit of a pain--though professional looking, it's a little cumbersome to line up to get your items priced, *and then* have to pay for them in a separate line. Also, there are these curious pulley baskets that have ropes leading to dark holes in the ceiling... You know if you're going to browse through stores in Quiapo and DV and its nearby areas that you're just getting into a trap, because if you think you're window shopping without buying anything, you're kidding yourself. Wellmanson knows this for a fact and has set out to have you do exactly that.

Hear ye, hear ye, passionate beaders. Feeling a bit crafty?…read more The whole stretch of the street where Wellmanson is located is full of shops selling beads and whatnot! Villalobos Street is the place to be if you are looking for new craft projects, specially accessories. It's the disneyland of crafter's everywhere. I've lost one whole day just going through each one of he shops in there, checking out the craft supplies and beads. Wellmanson's my favourite store so far and the biggest I've been into among the ones on the street. I've never seen so many craft supplies in one store. Beads of all kind and sizes are found there, prices ranging from very cheap to expensive ones like the swarovski. I went here one Saturday afternoon and it was packed with manangs like me :p They have ready made accessories like necklaces, watches and bracelets... but the best part of the store for me is where they sell the raw materials. Twines, nylons, charms, beads.. the whole nine yards of it. They even have those hooks for earrings and locks for bracelets, of different sizes, color and shapes. They also have those organizer where you can keep your beads inside, pattern boards, tools like pliers. I enjoyed myself too much shopping in there :)

Greenhills Shopping Center is one of my favorite shopping mall in the Philippines. I've been going…read moreto this mall since the 80's. It's known for its diverse range of stores and products like clothing, cellular phone sales, repairs and accessories, jewelry store, toys, pearls, souvenir items, restaurants, bars, video arcades, religious facilities and the ever popular tiangge that sells imported and local products for bargain hunters. A lot has changed but it is still one of the most beloved malls in the country.

Bring comfortable shoes. Of course, keep an eye on your belongings. Negotiate. Understand that…read moreeverything here is like the original, and I have found that the anime figurines are worth the value because they look very well constructed. There are a lot of great knickknacks that you can pick up, but I'm not the type of person to go for labels

I would never have noticed this place in Quiapo since there is so much going on around you--stalls…read moreof fresh vegetables and fruit and steelware and dried fish and watch your bag! and beads and chains and Wellmanson--and then you just step onto the actual sidewalk for a breather and a break from the beating afternoon sun, look away from the other stalls in the place selling more jewelry and sight the "ukay inside" sign inviting you to come into the 88 Shopping Center. Entering the surprisingly cool, unnervingly perfumed inner caverns of the building you'll find stalls of secondhand clothes of every make and kind, from pants and shirts to shorts and blouses, and all at probably the cheapest price you could get them. A lot of it went for fifty bucks, and some for lower even, and the clothes didn't look half-bad. You have to delve into clothes at ukay every time, and there were a lot of keepers there going for a lot less than you would expect to pay for them! Although the pants went for a little more than they should, I think--P200 and above for denim, though maybe it's because they were men's pants? And because I had to ask for the price instead of seeing it on a sign? Sometimes my somewhat alta facade betrays my desire for cheap things, sadly.

To all the watch lovers out there! Here is Asprey offering you good quality straps that will allow…read moreyou customize yours watches to finally put a twist and variety in your everyday accessory! What I like most about Asprey is that, they have a variant called "Nato" which could basically be used for any kind of watch! I also like how they have all kinds of materials, more than the typical leather. Just recently, I visited an Asprey kiosk and found my dad's birthday gift there just a few days ago! I was so happy because I realized that it would also be a perfect gift option for someone who loves watches! I also like the fact how it's very affordable! For the Nato watch strap, I was already able to get a 20mm one, calf leather material for less than a thousand! Although they have those free for all straps, what they are mostly known for as well are their straps for the Hermes watches.

No, the store or stores here are not named Unnamed. They simply sell DVDs which are illegal, but…read morewhich the city silently tolerates because it gives employment to a lot of people. I was walking in the Quiapo area a few days ago. While there, a guy approached me and asked me if I wanted to buy "BluRay quality" DVDs. I really wasn't all that interested, but I have been wanting to watch the Netflix series Daredevil. Since Netflix is not (yet) available in the Philippines, and because I don't want to download the series, I've been looking for a copy, legal or otherwise. The guy said they may have a copy, and that I should follow him. This didn't feel right. I mean, it was broad daylight, but his asking me to enter one of the old buildings in the area didn't feel too safe, but I went anyway. I was surprised. I had known that the Muslim section of Quiapo used to be the place to buy cheap DVDs. Here, on the other side of Quezon Boulevard, was a glass door that had no number and no signage. In I went and discovered store after store selling nothing but DVDs. The place was air-conditioned and was not wanting in customers. To cut to the chase, I got my copy of Daredevil for P40. I also got a copy of The Flash as well as Agents of SHIELD. I couldn't take photos, of course. Not at the risk of bodily harm. But I was able to take a shot outside. I may or may not go back one of these days.

good prices, wide selection of watches, 18k gold jewelry and watch straps that are cheaper than…read moreother malls in metro manila. loyal customer.

While I would certainly like to think I'm well-off enough to afford the pricey genuine leather…read morestraps one would get for their watch, I'm too cheap to get it from Asprey. I often have it done at some small watch repair stalls that I'd encounter somewhere, but I'm also a steady customer at Three S Gift Shop at Farmer's Plaza. There are a number of similar establishments in the building, but I've always felt a little more welcome there as the staff are a little more attentive and responsive to your needs. They've whole racks of straps there which won't necessarily empty your wallet, and good different kinds at that. I've always felt like the straps I've seen at the bigger, more expensive places (whichever those are) look too cumbersome for my taste. Are they genuine leather? Ask them that. Really all I care about is that it looks nice on my tiny wrists. They sell and repair various watches and clocks too, of course. While I have a preference to avoid bling with a humble leather watch, I'm quite taken with and I just might by this rose gold Casio number they have on display. There's always a booth that sells cheap, discounted watches by the hallway too, so if you're itching for some cheap timekeeper to up your wardrobe, drop by and have a look.

When I was young I never really understood the fascination people had with watched. I mean, as far…read moreas I was concerned Michaelangelo (The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turle) and the LED display on my plastic watch did a good job of telling me time. But that was back then and this is now. Times have changed and my appreciation of some of the finer things in life have matured with it. 6750 Ayala Avenue is an office building and is often known to some people as that place where the first Starbucks opened, if memory serves me right. However, it also home to stores that deal in watches. There are plenty of stores inside that deal in watches and watch related accessories. I've only recently gotten into horology, but 6750 became a nice place to visit ever since I wanted to see some of the watches I like up close. If you're looking for a fancy accoutrement or accessory to go with your outfit, then I suggest saving yourself a bit of time and by going here to find the watch that you want.

Vintage Grail, which is located at The Peninsula Manila right in the middle of Makati CBD, has an…read moreinsane collection of vintage and modern watches - just about everything you can't seem to find anywhere else. I walked in and came across a wide range of vintage Rolex Daytona and GMT models and a full lineup of Patek Philippe Nautilus and Aquanaut watches up for sale. They mentioned that they can source watches from around the world as well. Definitely a must visit for watch collectors who happen to be in Makati!