QUIAPO.
Haha. That’s an exaggeration right there. But there’s truth to it, at least.
In my thirty years of existence, I have never been to Quiapo. Jesting? No. I’d be lost if someone dumped me in the streets of Manila, particularly Quiapo. Don’t get me wrong, I know Manila, and I know where Quiapo is… only that I’ve never actually set foot there. So one early sunny Thursday, I tagged alongside mom to visit the wonders of the streets of that busy, busy place.
I put the cell phone’s alarm clock on for seven in the morning as my mom and I had agreed in the evening they would pick me up the following hour. We were just going to hitch a ride with dad who takes the España route to his office, and he’s very punctual (he does not like to wait, super hates tardiness!), so I had to do everything I needed to do before they come by the house (and not ruin dad’s day).
As if I really needed the alarm clock, I woke up a little before seven, which I was also thankful for, because I am never, was never, and probably will be never be a morning person. But I woke up early because I guess I was pretty excited with the mini field-trip. The comfort of the cool room and bed were serenading me though. I got up with about an hour and a half of sleep and trudged to the bathroom. No breakfast for me, we were still fasting then. I was all right with that… I wasn’t hungry, I don’t eat breakfast and I did not have any intention of breaking fast. At exactly eight, I heard dad’s vehicle honking outside the house. I kissed goodbye my husband and kid who were happily snoozing in our room and ran outside.
Quezon Avenue was already a bit heavy with traffic at that hour. All sorts of vehicles were snaking down the polluted road; jeepney, fx and bus drivers all trying to outdo one another hoping to fill in the seats of their transport. I was quite amused when we slowed down a bit near the island and dad’s driver honked the Hilux–I thought he was warning a driver who was driving too close, I never thought it was meant for the woman selling newspapers sitting on the island a couple of meters from us. She got up from her stool with a bunch of newspapers in her hand and waited for us to roll by near her makeshift stand. Dad’s driver already rolled down the window and had a twenty and some change in his left hand–he shoved the money on the woman’s free hand and then got the papers, then drove away. It was a quick transaction. As if I asked, dad said, “Suki nya ako.” Laughtrip. Wow. And I thought online shopping was fast. 
Dad dropped us off by the church, and so mom and I began our journey to the busy, busy streets of Quiapo. We went downstairs through the Quiapo Underpass, a tunnel for pedestrians. I only see the tunnel on tv when watching Pinoy movies. I’m now actually in it. I was a bit excited with the flurry of activity going on, I kept looking around but I made pretty sure that I didn’t look like an idiot because mom would have left me standing there by myself if I did. LoL. We turned right and then went up the stairs and sure enough, I have arrived.
Just outside the church that was still full of people (I think there was a service going on), were dozens of vendors selling fresh herbs and homemade medicines. There were the fortune tellers wooing customers, and sellers of colored candles (where a color corresponds to a prayer or wish), and what have-yous. Pretty ironic that they be selling stuff like that right outside a church. We turn to Carriedo (I think!) and went in this building which houses merchants selling electronics and other devices. Mom wanted to buy some trinkets for Eid gifts for the Sisters (my aunties on my Pangandaman-Diron side) and some “orders” from lola whose current “addiction” is the Saturday bazaar in their subdivision. Sorry lola, buking ang kumikitang kabuhayan mo. In fairness to her, she makes about fifteen grand in just three hours, selling trinkets to other lolas and kikays in the ‘hood.
I was amused at how affordable everything was in that store alone. The Chinoy merchant asked me if I shopped at Multiply, because most of her bulk buyers get their stuff from her. Yeah, it did look like so, because while we were there, there was this girl with a list of orders for ODM watches, (must be pre-order from her site). 
When we finished our transaction with her, we crossed the street and went inside this other building filled with stalls and stalls of clothes. More pasalubong and Eid gifts needed, mom and I checked out stuff from stalls which caught our fancy and bought some stuff for us as well.
The clothes and all the other trinkets they sell there are the same ones sold in the classier bazaars and tiangges, the only difference is that the prices here are far lower than those of say, Greenhills and Tiendesitas. If you came here with a thousand pesos in your pocket, you’d probably be able to buy a whole outfit with accessories to boot.
We didn’t stay long there… I knew we were only able to cover a small portion of the commercial area, but we wanted to be home before Luhor and we didn’t want to get caught in traffic–we were going home via public transport–marunong po kami mag-commute. ).
It was a fun experience albeit a short one. Security-wise, it was pretty peaceful even if it was crowded. I don’t know, I guess we were there pretty early. But we did see two vendors in a shoutfest over a plastic stool. Shopping-wise, I’d have to say that you have to really look around if you want to get your money’s worth, because while there are a lot of really affordable items around, you can never be too sure about the quality. I mean, we scored some really cool finds, but it was pretty much hit-or-miss. Mom got duped with this so-called Corrales bracelet. The saleslady said the stones turn pale when you’re sick… It turns out that the stones will turn pale anyway. We were laughing so hard in the bus when I noticed her wrist turn a bit coral-ish pink. Turning pale when you’re sick… yeah right, we were almost dying from laughter! Good thing we were the only ones in the bus then. 
Hmm… I don’t know when I’m going back there. I did promise my son’s nanny we’d go there one time…She hasn’t been there herself, and I’d like to experience that busy-busy place again. Hmm… rating it from one to ten… I can’t say. It was a fun experience for me. I can’t guarantee it would be the same for the next person, though. You’ll have to see it for yourself.
Ah. Quiapo. Quiapo kayo diyan!
(photos borrowed from Flickr courtesy of _gem_ , deadcenter , jdj92088 , ourawesomeplanet , manfrommanila)
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