Baguio Playgrounds: Hilltop

To us ukay shoppers, Baguio is one of the best places to buy stuff. Many shops here in Manila get their stocks from Baguio so getting there would probably feel like getting inside the stockrooms of department stores. That’s why I insisted on going on an ukay trip, good thing my cousin-in-law (Ate Mitch) knows the place.

The first shop we visited was near Maharlika. It’s pretty much sophisticated, they have tons and tons of designer brands. Ate Mitch even found Dolce and Gabbana and Louis Vouitton bags. Unfortunately, I’m not that interested in designer stuff. And they’re too expensive for me.

Next stop was a place called Hilltop. Mind you, it’s practically a market place (well it is beside a marketplace). Tons of people and tons of things to buy. I got most of my finds here.

To shop there, you pretty much have to dig through clothes piled on folding beds. The place is like an ukay strip of both street vendors and organized shops on the side. Street vendors usually sell one kind of clothing (e.g. one only sells kids wear, one sells only shoes… you get the picture).  Those organized shops look like your usual shops here in Manila, their clothes are well categorized and they’re pretty much cheap as well.

I preferred looking for clothes among the street vendors. Aside from the fact they are a lot cheaper compared to the shops (unless they’re having a sale), I found the challenge of digging through clothes interesting and fun. It’s like going back to the way of ukay shopping years ago.

It’s quite difficult though, it takes a lot of effort and patience just to get good items. It was worth it though, I found boots for me and my sister, I got a dress and some new vests, and my mom got a Liz Claiborne top that actually fits her.

I’ll go back to that place the next time I visit Baguio (whenever that is).