On the cheap at Divisoria night market

Categories I Travel, Places
The beautiful Tutuban Mall used to be a Spanish era central train station now a bargain shoppers’s paradise.

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.

One of many clothes shop around the Tutuban Mall
One of many clothes shop around the Tutuban Mall
Cheap clothes for all ages
Cheap clothes for all ages
Shops sprouting along the road
Shops sprouting along the road
At Foodstreet, a dedicated dining area at the far end of of Tutuban Mall
At Foodstreet, a dedicated dining area at the far end of of Tutuban Mall
At the Foodstreet area, a selection of different meat cuts to grill
At the Foodstreet area, a selection of different meat cuts to grill
I'm a Travel and Architecture photographer, blogger and writer based in Cebu, the Philippines.

A true blue Cebuano, I make stunning images and meaningful stories. My work has been published in various coffee table books as well as local and international publications including Geo (Germany), Sunday Times Magazine (London), done photo assignments for Mabuhay and written posts in Smile.

My personal Photography work has been exhibited around Asia and Europe including Paris in France, Germany, The Netherlands, South Korea, China and around the ASEAN regional capitals.

I am a peripatetic traveler and have been to all 81 Philippine provinces and abroad.

Check out my portfolio site at StanCabigas.

1 thought on “On the cheap at Divisoria night market

  1. 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.

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