An Ex worth returning to

by: Candice Tijam and Karchelle Francisco

Proven over time, girls really love shopping, whether it’s a sudden desire for panic buying or just simple window-shopping, no matter how long it would take—hours of walking and pausing to gape at clothing or accessory that captures her heart. Aside from the malls that every girl is familiar of e.g. MegaMall, Mall of Asia, Glorrietta etc. to Divisoria, Quiapo and the hundreds of ukay-ukay shops all over Manila, we have discovered a place in Cubao that is a sure delight for every girl, teenager, lady and even for a mommy or grand mom.

At first sight, this U-shaped compound in Cubao might be too boring for some visitors if they were to stroll around this vicinity at daytime. But when the moon starts to shine, this quiet compound becomes a fun and exciting street that Filipinos and even foreigners will be interested to go to this so-called Cubao Expo Shopping Center.

Cubao Expo Shopping Center was first known as the Marikina Expo Shopping Center, that was meant to be an outlet for the product that Marikina is known for – shoes. Since its lanes have evolved into various types of stores, Marikina Expo was changed to Cubao Expo in 2004. It started out mainly with shops with similar trend such as artistic crafts.

Arts and fashion themed the Cubao Ex, as it is commonly called today. It is compact with art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, herbal shop, shops of antiques and vintages and more. Aside from these, Cubao Ex oftentimes holds bazaars, festivals, and flea market fiestas or garage sale.

Antiques and Vintages

If you’re the kind of person who wants to buy a telephone that was invented at the time our great great grandmother was born, the antiques and vintages store in Cubao Ex is the best spot to find your own happiness of seeing and buying old stuff.

Stores like Heritage, Antique, Remy’s Thrift Shop, The Vintage Pop and The Grand Thrift House may help you find your wannabe antiques for home displays and collectibles. CD’s, books, decors and even statues or figurines as old as the Spanish colonial period are available here too.

For those who loves to decorate their homes and loves to buy and collect furniture, KARMA (Kaufman Auction Retro Modern Antics), a mini shop in Cubao Ex, is a big help to those who are interested in vintage furniture from European countries. This shop houses different types of sofa, chandeliers and unique accessories that have a touch of the retro style, as the name of the store suggests.

Art Galleries

Interested in Picasso, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Da Vinci’s artworks? If you’re a frustrated painter or artist, this is your time to shine in Cubao Ex. There are shops that could help you put your works in a gallery. Shops like White Box Studio, HALO (Heavenly d’ Lites), and Pablo can display and put the spotlight on your artworks.

There is also a store for those who are in need of art and craft supplies – from drawing pencils to air brushes, Estudios 57 is a a help to painters and artists out there.

Boutique

Future fashionista? Stores like Ooohwables, The Reading Room, and Old’s Kool can help answer the prayers of top model aspiranta. Dresses, blouses, skirts, jeans, statement shirts, accessories and the likes can be seen in these wonderful shops that women would be ecstatic about.

Food

Once you get hungry, the best places to fill your stomach with mouth-watering foods are the Bellini’s, an Italian restaurant, and Allan’s Grill, a Filipino cuisine catering that can satisfy your tummy in a blink of an eye. Both diner cuisines sell affordable meals offers good service.

Meanwhile, Black Soup is a food haven and at the same time the most suitable place for filmmakers. They serve their special pastas in an extraordinary way, e.g. Adobo Flakes Pasta. Aside from that, they also conduct workshops for animation, documentary, music videos, AVP, and acting; Black soup also has editing services and rentals.

If you love Chinese delicacies, Ho-Land can satisfy your tummy most especially those who love to eat Hopia, which is their specialty. What makes it more interesting to visit is that it also sells aged paintings of Binondo and Cubao Expo.

Others

Help for Herbal Medicine? GEO Shop may be the answer for those who want natural method for beautification and medication. The store offers herbal soaps, spices and even an organic laundry bar and many more. Their products came from different provinces in the Philippines. After being amazed by these things, one can also try their other service which is the Tarot Reading here for two hundred pesos—accurate reading and affordable.

Our Choice!

There are lots of shops and stores that surround Cubao Ex, and we chose those best shops that we think are affordable but glamorous.

For Antiques and Vintages, The Grand Thrift House is a winner with fascinating items that you can’t simply take your eyes off and continuously surprises you with every turn of your head. This shop has old cameras, photos of 60’s Miss Universe Beauty Pageants, classic designs of decors, and so much more.

In boutiques, Oohwables and The Reading Room were the best shops for those kikays out there. These stores contain the latest in fashion but are inexpensive and sometimes even way better than the reasonable price. From the smallest accessories such as rings, hair bands and bags to scarfs, blouses, skinny jeans, and sunny and formal dresses etc. are found here.

Moreover, Geo Shop also has a place in this category since it differs from the rest. It sells natural products that help you be in a healthy condition and at the same time offers buyers a break from shopping by sitting for some intriguing Tarot card reading.

It’s been a blast!

All in all, Cubao Expo Shopping Center can be an alternative to outnumbered malls here in Manila. Shiny glittery bangles, catchy outfits, red wine and crystal chandeliers—all these precious things, no matter how simple or extravagant, polishes a woman’s beauty, femininity and sense of fashion. It is nice to know that there is a place like Cubao Ex which is an all-in-one package. Not only does it make your wallet happy but it also puts a smile on your face. Then when the moment comes that you’re about to go home, it instantly makes you think of wanting to go back and explore more of its wonderful offers. It is definitely an Ex worth returning to.

Cubao Expo Shopping Center is located along General Romulo Ave., Brgy. Socorro, Q.C.