Bargainista Destination: Tacloban City

Yesterday was a break for me and my workmates so we decided to hitch a ride with our boss to Tacloban where we spent the whole day. It was my first time in this city, well, technically not, since the plane landed in Tacloban from Manila, but we made it directly to our destination (read: work) so I never got the chance to see the city.
We arrived lunchtime and had our fill in Ocho Seafood Restaurant. The food was superb and at reasonable price (and the boss paid, yey!).
After lunch we headed to do our shopping. The whole afternoon is an all-devoted-time for shopping alone.
First stop: Robinson’s Department Store. I was less excited to go to the mall yesterday because I wanted to check the local bargain outlets, ukay-ukay, go bargain hunting! But hey hey hey, I actually bought a nice pair of pants that’s on sale. Woohoo! So I actually had a bargain. It was good then that we decided to go to Rob. And did I say “less excited”? Haha.
Second stop: Gaisano. I am excited to go because I have lots of really good finds from Gaisano when I was in Roxas City and Kalibo. And the price is really unbelievable. Not letting me down, I found two items to add on my collection and this beautiful dress.
 

I am really in love with this dress and can’t wait to wear it soon. And my most favorite part? It is below 500. Love it (ulet?).
How about you? What’s your latest bargainista find?
Feel free to share it here. I would love to hear from all you bargainistas out there.

the pinay bargainista


PS: I almost forgot, I also got myself these journals to take note of ideas and plans, and also because yes, I do tend to forget a lot of things so it’s better to write it down, right? It is a must-have at 99 each. And in case you’re wondering why I have two, well, I just can’t decide which one I like better, the left or the right. Also, I thought it will be useful in case I forgot where I’d put the other one. haha.

Which one do you like better? The left or the right?

My dream phone

Guess who got herself a new phone? And my dream phone at that. It’s just perfect for my work, lifestyle and budget. Read on for more:
 I have been thinking of buying a new phone for a long time now. You see, my 3-year old Nokia N73 almost always gets me in a lot of trouble because of its failing battery. I don’t hate the phone, but won’t you like to wake at the alarm because the phone did not die on you during the night (uh oh), and be able to answer a phone call from bf, mom, dad, boss, everyone?
So my quest for a new phone started. And the quest ended this afternoon. Me and boyfriend went phone hunting in the mall, and this is what we’re looking for:

We had our eyes fix on buying this one phone model because it is all of the above, but I saw somewhere before ( internet maybe?) that it comes in an orchid shade and I was really hoping to get the orchid one (I really don’t know if nokia calls it orchid but I was inspired by the moto v3 that came out with a limited edition orchid color model back then). We asked around a couple of stores and they all have either the black or gray. I was starting to be really sad when we enter the last mobile store there is because the stores are about to close and I will have to leave the next day for a month of fieldwork far far away. They also have the black one on display alright ( I was still holding on to that last chance..argh.drama). I asked the store personnel if they have other colors available, and he said, looking straight in my eye, as if reading my thoughts, “meron po kami nung orchid”. Wow. I was really jumping up and down right after that. I really felt that this gay guy behind the store counter is my soulmate! (and he said orchid, he calls it orchid too.) Happiness. I have to get it. I really really have to get it. And the funny part here is that my boyfriend was entirely clueless to why I’m so excited. Well, he actually thought they will give me a white phone because he thought orchid equals white (well, most orchids are white, right?haha. he’s not a girl. sorry.)
There, finally, after months (or years) of procrastinating, I have decided on this phone.
Tada!

Yup. That’s my new Nokia 1280. I got it for exactly 1000 pesos. The black and gray ones cost as low as 980 on the other stores, but I’m willing to give the extra 20 pesos for this lovely orchid. I got a new phone and it did not cost me an arm and a leg. It’s basic but it’s got my lifesavers: alarm clock and reminders, it’s got a couple of games too, a radio, battery that lasts for 3 days, it’s got a talking clock  and my favorite feature: the flashlight. Honestly, I bought it because of the flashlight. Haha. The screen is large and dust-resistant (perfect for my fieldworks) and it says on the box that it is scratch-free (though, I don’t really want to try that. haha). 

The bonus part is I got it in this gorgeous color plus, when you look closely on the keypads, it has tiny specks of glitter on it. I love it. I'm crazy for this phone.

Here, I also got it a cute bunny friend for company.

So yes, yes, yes, I got myself my dream phone and a matching bunny pouch to go with it (she’s wearing a lilac skirt. lovely). It’s not fancy but it has got everything that I need for a phone, definitely has all the checks in my boxes. Now, I’m ready to go. ‘Til next time. Talking clock, pray tell what time is it?
the pinay bargainista