Manila — By themanilaguide on June 24, 2009 at 11:44 am
Filed under: delicacies, gifts, Pasalubongs, Pinoy traditions, Shopping

Tesoro’s

A visit to Manila wouldn’t be complete without shopping at a Philippine pasalubong store. Bringing home pasalubong or a going-home gift is a Filipino tradition. Because Filipinos are so communal, they feel the need to share their journey not just with stories or photos but with an actual present. It’s a way to let your loved ones back home that you were in their thoughts while they were away. Of course, Pinoys tend to go a little overboard when they end up buying more pasalubongs than stuff for themselves.

If you’re thinking of maybe following the same tradition, why not start at one of the best handicraft stores in the city, “Tesoro’s”? Run by a family that’s been in the business for 60 years, they’ve got just the right selection. I asked some Mabuhay Guides to help me model some popular items. Lovely is holding a native bag made with indigenous materials. They have a lot of these that are modestly priced. They’re made in modern styles so they’re special and yet wearable.

Photo c/o Knox

You can’t go wrong with mangoes. It most stores, you’ll find dried mangoes and an assortment of pastries and candies. But why not bring back some mango rum, like the one Bryan is holding? I’ve personally never tasted it but it looks really interesting and the packaging it comes in is superb as well.

Tesoro’s prides itself mostly in their embroidery work and they carry a wide range of fabrics from Jusi (raw silk) and Piña (Pineapple cloth). Piña is actually found only in the Philippines where the cloth is used to make everything from gowns, to men’s dress shirts, to tablecloth. This resilient but sheer fabric boasts a thread strength that matches a thread of steal. No wonder, it is very expensive. Miss Beng showed us a Piña tablecloth that was priced at P67,000 or around $1,400. The fine piece of work was hand-embroidered and it took over a year to make.

Macel is holding up a Pinya clothed fan priced at P1,500 or $30.