Survival Guide: Divisoria

when my niece April asked me how safe is Divisoria, i wanted to answer: DIVI is definitely Not Safe, but April is now an adult living her life in Manila, so i just said, 168 Mall is okay but don't stay in Divi until dark, getting a cab is very difficult.

photo from google maps via metromaniladirections.com

so here are some of my tips based purely on my own experience in Divisoria, especially in 168 Mall.

DIVI Survival Guide. 

1. In getting there, i take a cab, since i do not know how to ride an mrt/lrt and jeepney in manila . (note:  i haven't done this alone, always take somebody with you when shopping in divi) expect a cab driver to decline to transport you the moment you say the word divisoria. decline to transport is an LTO offense but, hello, real world. Fare by cab from Makati to Divisoria is around Php200.00 or less.

2. wear something comfortable and discreet. Don't attract attention. Take off your dangling earings, or better yet, don't wear any jewelries at all. i wear my knee length cargo or jeans and cotton tshirts with my slippers. very 'pambahay'. lol

3. use sling bag. neutral colored sling bags if possible, nothing attractive. AND bring a sturdy shopping tote with zipper where you can stash all your purchase.

4. don't bring your large rectangular wallet. use a coin purse. very easy when taking out your cash payments. if possible, bring small bills and watch out in handing your payment and taking your change, count the money and make sure you know how much did you give and  how much is your change.

5. bring hand sanitizer/alcohol, tissue, and disposable toilet seat cover, and small towel. if you're planning to spend the rest of your shopping day in 168 Mall, then you don't need a pamaymay. but just bring a foldable one just in case.

6. before you enter the labyrinth-like pasilyos in 168 Mall, buy bottled water first.

7. speaking of pasilyos or aisle, i have somewhat have a system in doing my shopping stroll. the pasilyos in 168 Mall will really get you lost. i have to draw it (haha) so here's how:

 

what i did in the drawing is just five pasilyos and the square thingies are the stalls, but believe me, they have like hundreds of pasilyos. from first floor to third floor, one day is not enough if you follow my system. (this is also applicable in Greenhills)

8. while shopping, bear in mind that made in china apparels are not, or different from the usual sizes we know. some Large blouses will actually fit a medium you. gets? or to really be sure, you can fit the jeans you want BUT there is no fitting room. blanket fitting room only. so be extra careful.

9. don't be too compulsive. there a lot of cute stuff in 168 Mall that you don't need. have a target on what to buy. and of course, the art of haggling comes in. just haggle as you can.

10. Lost in 168 Mall? easy. though there are areas in 168 Mall that cellphone signal is zero. so all you have to do is find the escalator. go to the 3rd Floor, that's the foodcourt area, then you'll have that sense of direction again. or call your buddy to meet you there and grab some cheap fooda to recharge your shopping energy.

so there you go, Happy Shopping!

p.s. 

as much as i want to visit Divi again, JITB doesn't want to because according to him, the chances of being robbed/snatched is very high. so why risk it.