Binondo Supermarket

Binondo is a place close to my heart. When I was still in Grade school, I usually spent my summer vacations in Binondo area. Most of my relatives live here and I have also worked here before. By the way, I didn't grew up in Binondo, I just transferred here when I got married. Somehow, it's fun to live in Binondo because the streets are narrow. You can easily tour around and go to places by foot. Fun because I can go out without the need of a car so it's economical. Many things have changed in this place since then. New malls, hotels, banks, condominiums, shops have been sprouting out left and right. And one of the few infrastructures that remained constant is this famous supermarket called Shoppers' Mart located along Ongpin Street corner E.T. Yuchengco (formerly known as Nueva St.). It has become one of the trademarks of Binondo and the usual meet-up place for people.

So far, Shoppers' Mart is the only nearest supermarket that is walking-distance from our place. You get a Chinatown-feel when you are inside because of the Chinese songs being played in the background. It is known for selling Chinese delicacies and imported goods aside from the regular commodities also found in other supermarkets.

Shopper's Mart, the famous Binondo supermarket

Last Sunday, after visiting a nearby sale as mentioned on my previous blog post, I head on to Shoppers' Mart to buy some groceries for my family. And because it was also the birthday of Baby A's yaya, I thought of surprising her with a simple grocery gift pack. My budget for that was only P100 so I challenged myself to look for some basic necessities that would fit in that amount. From there, I realized that P100 is just too small to buy her some personal care essentials. I only got seven items and the three important ones already consumed 80% of the budget. For the remaining 20%, I just bought a few snacks for her to munch and share with the other helper.

Here's what I've got: Jumbo Zest Soap P20.25, Rejoice Shampoo 3in1 16ml 6 sachets P29.50, Beam Toothpaste Active Spearmint 100ml P28.25, Regent Cheezels 30g P5.25, Oishi Prawn Cracker Sweet & Extra Hot 24g P5.25, Jack n Jill Shing-a-Ling ni Mang Juan Adobo 26g P5.50, and Jack n Jill NIPS White Choco 40g P10.25, actually it's a total of P104.25! I even went a little over the budget. The value of our money is really becoming very small. :) Then I put them inside a paper bag to make it presentable.


simple grocery gift pack for yaya's birthday. I gave them Melona too to let them try its creaminess! :)

The reason for sharing you this Binondo supermarket is because I find their goods cheaper compared to other supermarkets. One item that proves it was their Melona Korean ice cream. It sells for only P25 each. I know Metro Supermarket is selling it for P35 and it could go even higher (maybe P40) when you avail from Korean restaurants such as Kogi Bulgogi, Korean Village, etc. It's just P5 difference from the commercialized P20 Cornetto but its creaminess is worth it. So far I've tried the four flavors: Melon, Mango, Strawberry and Banana. All are yummy because they tasted just like the real fruits but Melon (green) flavor would be the best.

Shopper's Mart in Ongpin, Binondo sells Melona for only P25. Their goods are also cheaper here. :)

If ever you've decided to drop by the Binondo area and shop at Shoppers' Mart, try to visit Sto. Cristo de Longgos shrine as well. It's the small altar outside and at the right side of the supermarket along T. Pinpin Street. It's a Catholic cross but practices Buddhist's lighting of incense. I usually light three sticks every time I have the chance to pass by that area. When I was still single, I used to pray for me to find my Mr. Right and last year I prayed for my safe delivery. So far, my prayers have been granted that's why I believe in this shrine. Try it! :)

Sto. Cristo de Longgos shrine

 That's it for now. I shall tour you more around the Binondo next time. See you around folks!

Do share your Binondo experience and good finds to me too, okay?

Mommy Sally

Binondo Footwear Sale

Since the time I had my own family and now a baby, my budget was split into three: for household use, for baby and lastly for myself. I love to go shopping and I love to splurge but I always hold back thinking twice on a particular item's worth and its lasting value. I usually wait for a sale and hunt for a good find. But rarely do I see a sale that is branded here in Binondo or I was just not aware of it.

Yesterday when I heard from my sister-in-law that there's a Warehouse Sale nearby, I hurriedly asked for the details. It's the Warehouse Sale of Cushe Footwear, Hush Puppies and Sebago. I didn't know the two other brands. I only know that Hush Puppies footwear are soft, durable and pricey. But since it's just a 10-minute walk from our place, I decided to drop by and check out the prices.

Here are the poster details which I grabbed from their Facebook fan page. It started last July 15 Monday until today July 21 Sunday. It's a week-long sale and I was only able to drop by Saturday. I would assume the good finds have been sold out already. And by the way, there's a P50 entrance fee but since I got a coupon from my SIL, I was able to go in for free. If not, I won't bother to drop by if I don't have much interest on the items or brands on sale.

Here's a map going to the sale location. The address is at State Center Building, Juan Luna Street, Binondo, Manila. It's just a walking distance from the Binondo Church and near World Trade Exchange if you are familiar with it.

I spent 1.5 hours inside from 4:30 to 6:00pm looking and searching for a good buy. At a first glance, I almost gave up because all I can see were dirty and broken sizes footwear. The place was hot and almost no ventilation that's why I went out feeling so sticky. I browsed more intently and started picking out some footwear styles that would suit me but as expected in a sale, either you get a broken size or get the display pair. You need luck and persistence to grab a good find.

The sale is mostly footwear but they also have shirts, socks and pillows.

After taking a few rounds, finally I was able to get a footwear of my size and style. So far the discounted price is acceptable or buyable knowing that it's a good brand. Let me give you a closer look at the total bill and savings.

1. Cushe Women's Manuka Fearless flip flop in Light Rose color
    Original Price is P1,390.00 and I only got it at P300 a pair.
2. Hush Puppies Sincerity White Leather Women's Body Shoe
    Original Price is P2,999.75 and I got it for P600.
3. Hush Puppies Resort Toe Post White Leather
    Original Price is P1,899.75 and I got it for P700.

Savings of almost 70%. Although this may still look pricey for some but I'm thinking of its durability and long term usage. Nowadays, a regular footwear would normally range at this price already, so for me these were a good buy. Yehey, I feel so proud of my hunting skills.

Look at what's inside my paper bag. It's Baby A! She can fit inside.

My Saturday solo shopping didn't end here. After this, I still went to a nearby supermarket to buy some groceries for the family. To those not familiar with Binondo, I'm excited to show you yet another good place with a good find. Up next!

Mommy Sally

Blogging Time is Me Time

This is an official entry to Dainty Mom's guest post challenge on "How to Find the Time to Write or Blog."

Even if I am at home most of the time, I find it hard to have a "me" time especially that I am exclusively breastfeeding my baby. As we all know it, taking on a mommy job requires so much responsibility and time. You won't be able to master the drift in one sitting or mere researching. We eventually get used to it as we go along with our daily routines, getting in tune with the various situations, and learning from our hits and misses. We gain credibility from our own personal experience.

I am a hands-on mom to my seven months old baby and I'm loving it. Although it's quite exhaustive at times but once I see my child hitting her milestones, all my efforts and sleepless nights are paid off. My love for Baby A grows deeper each day especially now that she is learning to respond by babbling and smiling back to us. One time, both me and the yaya tried to extend our arms to baby to see whom she would follow. And to my surprise, she chose me to carry her! That moment made my heart jumped out with joy. She can already recognize people.

This little baby wants to blog too!

Entering into this Motherhood phase brings about so much emotions and drama to our life. Aside from the photos and videos I have been taking day by day, another way to better document this wonderful memories is through blogging. However, blogging needs a certain amount of time, a "me" time, to be able to compose a cohesive blog post. I am a newbie mom blogger and here is how I find time to write for my blog.

 
1. Work within a Schedule
It has been a month since I started working at home. Having this set up allows me to carefully look into the daily routine of my baby such as her waking/sleeping time, bath time, meal time, play/reading time, nappy change and other baby caring roles. My usual day-to-day routine would go like this:
      7:00-9:00am    - breakfast, pump, supervise baby bath
      10:00-12:00nn - do some household errands or "me" time, lunch, supervise baby eat via baby led weaning
      1:00-5:30pm    - do my work-at-home job, pump, check out baby when yaya has merienda
 or takes a bath, have my snacks
      5:30-7:00pm    - take a bath, exercise, rest, play with baby, "me" time
      7:00-9:00pm    - dinner, supervise baby eat, pump
      9:00-10:30pm  - reading time with baby, put baby to sleep via direct feeding until the next morning
      10:30pm onwards - "me" time or blogging time
Getting familiarize with my mommy routines enabled me to identify when I could set a time for blogging and other online activities. The key here is to stick to a certain schedule.

2. Make Good Use of Waiting Time
Even if it's not yet my "me" time, I have started to mull over the topics and stories that I wanted to write about. Waiting time or idle time for me is when riding an LRT, on a jeepney, inside the car, taking a bath, while eating, while pumping, while direct feeding or just before I fall asleep. I jot down keywords into a piece of paper, notebook or type them on my cellphone for me to look back during my "me" time. I just keep my thoughts and ideas flowing at any time of the day. Moms are good at multi-tasking.

3. Challenge a Goal
Despite my busy schedule as a work-at-home mom (WAHM), I challenge myself to compose at least one blog post a week or four posts a month for now. It made me feel good and proud every time I am able to publish a blog post because I know I used up my precious time in doing it. This way, I will be sure that I find time to write even if it means being grounded at home.

4. Start it Now
Nothing will happen if I don't start it now. I would start composing even if I just have a little extra time left vacant. I don't expect to finish it in one sitting. I would continue it for days until before the week ends. I abide by this secret formula which I have learned in a leadership seminar:

Intention + Action = Results

I just started blogging last month the moment I became a WAHM. And following these four easy steps allowed me to find my passion. Blogging time is now my "me" time. If you are really passionate with blogging, you will surely make time for it. Try blogging too! It's liberating! See you! :)

Mommy Sally