This Blog is an outlet for the random thoughts of an amateur opinionator.
What's an opinionator?
An opinionator is somebody who has power without responsibility, and the ability to spout off on any subject without worrying too much about the consequences of what comes out of the mouth. All you need is an opinion and the opportunity to voice it.
TV is full of professional opinionators. The internet gives the amateur his chance.
> DIVI-haggLing wiTh maRian and maMi whEng
Author: aLmich
I still have yet to catch up on everything following the holiday weekend. I have some stuff needed to get done around the office. I must admit, it has been a lazy week for me. I just hope to have most of that be finished tonight. Nonetheless, the weekend was a busy one for me.
On Friday, I went to visit my friends [mami Cez, Bernie, Len, Joanne, Sharon, Soc, Dian etc...] from my former company for some chikas and daldalans. We had a good time giggling as I was too busy quaffing my salabat with gusto [*punyetang ubo], and telling stories while hanging out at their stations. Following that, the same night I passed my "letter of intent on reinstatement of my former position". I know some people might take that move the other way around but I don't think I should care anymore. I still managed to report for work after that yet we were sent home early as there were no leads to call on.
After office, Marianne and Mami Weng dropped by my place for breakfast - our first stop before going to Divisoria. I'll play a little "Probe Team" here *hehehe.
People go here and get out barely alive from the experience - welcome to Divisoria!!! [in our case DV or Divine], a shopping heaven in what seems to be a little corner of hell in this City of our Affections. And yet, from what seems to be an eternity in walking the length and breadth of C.M. Recto, braving the roads which Philippine laws have given up ever controlling, side by side with sweaty people and cargadors on your left and moving [!] delivery trucks and passenger jeepneys on your right, we still come out happy from finding something we thought we'd never find, with bags of goodies on both hands, and a little braver from the trip. Welcome to Divisoria!
If you’re not into exploring hot, dirty places [by “hot” I mean the temperature, and by “dirty,” I am referring to hygiene], go directly to 168 Mall. It is Greenhills-ish, only more cramped. But the prices are fairly low especially if you buy in bulk in which case you can avail of the wholesale price which can go lower depending on your gift in haggling. But beware of some stalls that forbid buyers from haggling for it will deprive you of getting the lowest price for the goods you choose to buy. And without bargaining for the price of the things you buy, your Divisoria story would not be complete. It is easy to know these stalls. Well because they post signs which say, “Wag makulit, bawal ang tawad”. It will be best to abide by such sign.
Not all stores are as blunt, though. Take the one I saw last time where cartons with "LAHAT P88” written on them. To satisfy my curiosity, I went inside to ask the saleslady, “Kung lahat 88, ibig sabihin ba noon bawal tumawad?” to which she replied, “fixed price na po kasi kami.” And there, I got my answer. Needless to say, I left.
Divisoria has become all that and more at least to my eyes. It is not just a chain of shops that sell items for a cheap price. It is a walk-in therapy for people with money and without anything to do. It is a place where future entrepreneurs begin. It houses a big community of Chinese people who have found refuge in our country’s lucrative fascination with bargain commodities.
It has become a cradle for Chinese babies being raised by Pinoy salesladies. It is an employer for a number of young women and men who wish to earn cash to pursue their studies—sometimes even while working.
What I remember is that the day ended well. With sore feet and empty pockets, but happy nonetheless. Carrying big plastic bags full of goodies well-bargained for and the thought that "salamat may magagamit na sa pasukan mga anak ko" - at least for the Marianne and Mami Wheng - my true-nanay-respectable-friends. Me? got two capris for my Mom and DVDs *hehehe.
Divisoria is a culture in itself.
And if that’s not enough, Divisoria is the home for Garfield, too!
