Durng my trip to Divisoria, saw this small stall that sold hopia.
What drew me to the hopia wasn't the product itself, but the packaging.
It's a beauty!
It has that very strong Chinese-retro vibe - from the paper colour, tot he ink, to the font style - it was so traditional. But because it was so traditional, it felt modern! The beauty of contrasts.
The hopia inside was bigger than the usual hopia, and each variant had a crunch which tasted like kundol.
While it won't dislodge Holand as my fave hopia, this is worthy of being part of the repertoire.
Lola Dita's jeweller lived in Binondo. As kids, we'd sometimes accompany Lola and Mom whenever they'd go for their usual shopping trips.
Part of the thrill of going to Binondo was the food. We'd usually grab a bit after, and even back then, there was a myriad of choices when it comes to food.
One of the places we'd frequent was Wai Ying. They were popular for their dimsum and mami.
Fast forward, many decades after, Wai Ying is pretty much alive. They have a branch at 168 in Divisoria, and it's my usual stop before starting my Divisoria runs.
Their siomai is stil the same. Packed with shrimp, dense, filling. As much as it's good on its own, a heap of chili oil on top just amplifies the experience.
As a kid, our family would sometimes eat at Goldilocks in Cubao. This was located at the old Rustan's Department Store.
Their set-up back then was like a school canteen. Instead of individual tables and chairs, they had long, continuous benches and tables.
One sign that would alway catch my attention was a big poster with the message: "Share-a-Seat, Win a Friend."
For a time, I thought it was some sort of promo. That's why I'd always ask my parents to let us share our seat with someone else because we'd get some sort of physical prize. It was only after they explained the concept to me did I get what it meant.
This childhood episode came back to me a few weeks ago, particularly because of this sign at the 168 Food Court in Divisoria.
After 3 decades, I'm still secretly wishing that I'll win something.
Around this time - or even earlier - I would often use the weekend to hie off to Tutuban Center and visit one of my haunts in that area. A haunt that's also a black hole since going inside results in me spending at least an hour just browsing every nook and cranny of the store.
That store is Michelle's Ribbon and Lace Center.
From my memory, it has always been my go-to for ribbons, notions - particularly if I'm buying in bulk. If it's just a few yards, Carolina's is my go-to. Thus, when the Christmas season comes along, I'd be at Michelle's more because my ribbon purchases are usually by rolls of 10, or more.
Michelle's is also a great place to get design implements, like YKK invisible zippers, horse hair, Swarovski Crystals, glass beads and other beads for wedding gowns and other evening wear. Being a distributor, they usually sell it much cheaper compared to places like SM and VC Trading.
My last visit to Michelle's was last February. That was pre-pandemic and people could still freely and confidently go to Divisoria. It seems like yesterday, but it's actually more than 6 months ago! And now that Christmas is just around the corner (hanging out with Jose Mari Chan), the itch to go to Michelle's and get a stockpile of ribbons is so, SO strong!
Just as I was about to wallow in the fact that my desired Christmas ribbons might be out of reach, this epiphany came:
Michelle's Lace and Ribbon Center is online! They can check stocks, take orders, then have those delivered to you at home!
With that, my instincts kicked in and wrote down all the ribbons needed for this year's theme. Then, with a few messages, one of the important Christmas accoutrements was finally delivered to our doorstep.
If you can't go to Michelle's, then Michelle's will come to you!
Woot!
And in honour of this discovery, today's Friday Magic Madness song is from the 60s, and is from the Fab 4.
"Michelle," a song - and a ribbon and lace center - that is like The Beatles.
These days, I've noticed a lot of loose, long-sleeved clothing in every department store and fast-fashion place. They vary from tops to knits to dresses to jumpsuits. I guess it's because of the December weather, or everyone just wants to be a bit more modest.
That's why today's "Look for Less than a Thousand" is inspired by this type of modesty. It's an ensemble that's covered up and chic.
The first piece is a denim top which I found in my Divisoria fashion haunt.
There are many things to like about this piece. First, the dark denim fabric is a classic. The puffed sleeve is very now. And it also carries this year's embroidery trend. It's a three-fer for a very small price!
Then, I paired it with this long and loose pair of khakis from Uniqlo. This was on sale and it was practically a steal at P390!
Together, this ensemble is super on-trend, and super affordable at below P650!
I needed to go to Divisoria, but was expecting a "Train-to-Busan-esque" deluge. To avoid this, I decided to go really early. Like, 7:00am early, to make it to Divisoria by 8:00am.
The result, a productive and relatively stress-free shopping experience. There weren't as many people in the morning yet, so it was all good.
What's interesting was the contrast of Divisoria from the outside and inside.
On my weekly trips to Divisoria, I always chance upon this nicely and neatly laid out food item on the street.
I've always wondered what it was. But I never got the chance to ask about it. Until yesterday.
I found out that it's called Bicho-Bicho, and it's deep fried bread.
Deep.
Fried.
Bread.
Where do I sign up?
After buying one and trying it, the experience was phenomenal! It tasted like those deep fried donuts they used to sell at Rustan's. So, it would be safe to say that Bicho-Bicho is a taste of childhood.
Looks like there's another reason for me to go back to Divisoria every weekend.
While I was in Divisoria today, I saw this crate of cute, Hello Kitty stuffed toys.
When I came closer, lo and behold! When you change "u" to an "a", then it becomes a totally different product. Which makes me wonder, what's the "staff" all about?
Yup, it must be made by their staff. Or maybe it's made WITH their staff.
Now that I'm thinking about it more, I can't help but feel scared... Harhar.
Going to Divisoria to find lace is just like going to Disneyland to find happiness. Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, and Divisoria is the happiest place to find lace.
Decades ago, it was so difficult to source lace in Manila. To get really nice lace, you had to import it from Europe - particularly Belgium and France. Also back then, lace was super duper expensive! That's why people would use lace in dresses in sparse amounts.
But with today's technology and inexpensive labor, lace has not only become commonplace, it's now cheaper! And with modern techniques in design and embroidery, the patterns are beautiful, intricate and mind-blowing.
Nowadays, you can expect to find the prettiest lace at a price that won't break the bank!
Today, I went to Divisoria to look for lace for Kris' wedding, particularly for the Mothers. And it was so difficult to choose because there were so many beautiful options around!
Finally, after poring through dozens and dozens, I was able to shortlist it to these two beauties:
Now, the difficult task of choosing "the one" begins.
This morning, I dropped by Divisoria to buy some more of the printed fabric that I got 2 weeks ago. It was this white fabric with red poppies, and the design was so graphic that it was uber cool.
Arriving at the fabric store, I started looking for it. After a few rounds, I realized that it was nowhere to be found. Then, the manong who usually cuts my fabrics appears, so I ask him about the design I was looking for.
MANONG: Naku, Sir, ubos na ho. May bumili ng wholesale. ME: Ah, okay. No problem po.
While walking towards the exit, the owner greets me:
OWNER: O suki! Anong binili mo ngayon. ME: Bibili po dapat ako nung printed fabric na binili ko the last time, pero ubos na daw. OWNER: Talaga? Sinong nagsabi? ME: Si Manong po. (Pointing to Manong.)
What she did after surprised me:
OWNER: Nasaan na 'yung hinahanap ni suki? MANONG: Naka-kahon na po, ayun. (Points to a sealed box.) OWNER: Naku, buksan mo 'yan, bigyan mo si suki kung ilan ang kailangan niya. ME: No, okay lang po. OWNER: Naku hindi. Kung gusto mo nung telang 'yon, ibibigay ko sa'yo.
And with that, I went home with a few more yards of this fabric:
