Once upon a time there were no “mega” shopping malls and no “city-size” department stores. One looked for specific items in particular shops, if not in specific parts of the city. For instance, one went to Gandara for shoes, to Tabora for ready-made clothing (candidly called “benta”, not RTW) and so forth. One had to know one’s way around because one had to go around. There were no “one-stop” stores. This was before WW II. In wedding season, where did Manilans shop for The Correct Wedding Gift?
Living memory points to La Puerta del Sol, on the Escolta, a quality goods shop since the turn of the century. (Ask the octogenarians.) It carried first-class merchandise from the entrepots of Europe. The same goods probably were to be found in the dusty stalls of the Parian, in Binondo, but the Sangleys had yet to learn a thing or two about merchandising. Besides, one’s ilustrado ancestor would have considered it declasse to be seen shopping anywhere else but in Escolta.
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Source:
Alvina, C. & Sta. Maria, F. 1987. Essays on Philippine Culture.
