It was already night time when, after a ride at the LRT and a jeep, we arrived at the vicinity of Tutuban Centermall in Divisoria, Manila. But at first glance, everything seems to be winding down as stalls inside the mall are one by one closing down. Shoppers with bags filing out and loading into jeepneys and surrounding buildings are already close.
But amidst the seeming end of shopping day, I then noticed people setting up stalls around the the mall. Cheap clothes are being hung, bags arranged on a table and household stuff being unwrapped from cartons. The night market is just starting to hum!
To any die hard bargain shopper, there’s only one place to go in Metro Manila: Divisoria. Amidst the decrepit buildings and notoriety, the Tutuban Centermall area is one shopping paradise for cheap goods. It’s clean and a bit organized, unlike the ones near 168 and Divisoria Malls. During the Christmas holidays, you have to brave the sea of people.
Under the century old building of what was once the Tutuban central terminal built in 1892 as the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan, the terminus of the northrail, has been given new life as a mall. While the shops inside are closed at night, the surrounding stalls give life to the night market.
Do note though that the Divisoria night market around the Tutuban Centermall building has lesser number of stalls compared at daytime. It’s more for the leisurely shopper who wouldn’t mind to have a stroll with friends or family. At the end of the buildings, there’s the Foodstreet that has several stalls offering grilled dishes.
For the die hard shopper, Orion Hotel is just atop one of the mall buildings offering safe and comfortable guest rooms.
In actuality, I like to shop here better than that of 168 because its actually more spacious and stocks are better if you ask me. Advantage though or night market and shopping is the cooler weather too.