Built in 1976, Harrison Plaza is the first and oldest-standing shopping center in the country. Though much bigger malls have since popped up, HP has its charms—and coups: this is the only place where you’ll see rivals The SM Store and Rustan’s Shopwise under one roof.
Located along FB Harrison and sandwiched between Taft Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, Harrison Plaza is centrally located. By present-day standards, it is a modest two-storey structure.
The last time it underwent major renovation was in the 1980s. The alleyways are still spacious, despite the ubiquitous stalls selling knock-offs that you will find in most malls. There are enough restaurants, as well as food kiosks, that you don’t have to brave crossing over to HP Village Square next door for a meal.
Be healthy, musically
Only at JB Music and JB Sports (G/F, 523-7041) do exercise equipment—treadmills, boxing gloves, and snorkeling gear—share space with guitars, amplifiers, drum sets, synthesizers, and mixers. It is a good stop for every family member, whether they’re interested in sports, fitness, or music. Check back periodically for items on sale and generous installment packages.
Get ready for detox
At MAPECON(2/F, 567-7378), get the activated charcoal that they sell as a cure-all of sorts: you can mix a little in your drink or sprinkle some on your facial wash—I know that this is also used as a toothpast substitute. All for detox. It turns out that beyond chemicals, there is MAPECON Green Charcoal Philippines that sells products that are organic and healthy.
In case you want to put up a library on well-being
Just a few steps outside Shopwise is Ticzon Herbal Shop(G/F). Aside from selling the usual—food supplements, whitening soaps and creams, and natural medication— they also have books by Mr. Romeo R. Ticzon. Mr. Ticzon has dedicated a lot of his time studying herbal medicine. He shares what he knows in his books that are all available here. Among the titles that caught our eye: The Ticzon Herbal Medicine Encyclopedia, Philippine Medicinal Herbs, Fighting Cancer, and Sex Education.
Bring the world to your home
Something is bound to catch your fancy at Kabul (G/F). The shop is almost like a one-stop global village shop with a lot of items from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Check out the silver brooches (P3,000), necklaces (P1,000), cuffs and bracelets for almost P10,000 each. Fine quality pashminas are on sale for P150 and P250, too. Bowls from China, and various shiny, shimmery trinkets from everywhere are available, too.
Buy a carpet
At Ariana Carpet Palace (G/F), you can furnish your space with authentic carpets straight from Turkey. They come in different sizes and they have an on-going sale, where prices have been slashed to between P3,000 and P9,000. Maybe you’ll get a freebie too!
Do an Asian Lunch
It’s strange, but you can have really good Korean food at Kimchi (G/F). It shares space with an off-track betting establishment called Wanna Bet!? On weekdays, between 5pm and 10:30pm, and between 1pm and 8:30pm on weekends, there is a P100 minimum consumable charge. At Yin Nan (G/F, 567-3631), meanwhile, is a very extensive menu of Chinese and Filipino food, sure, but it’s best known for its pancit, siopao, siomai, and mami. They also offer different kinds of noodles like canton, miki bihon, bihon, and lomi at a special price (P60) during merienda hours.
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Go to the Tailors
Byron’s (2/F, 525-7220) is an old-school tailoring shop and one of the oldest names in custom tailoring. You can have a barong or native dress designed and sewn with classy jusi and piña cloth. At the far end is a work station where a tailor is perpetually measuring cloth or marking a pattern.
Pause and Play
When was the last time you went “offline” and played an actual physical game? At Shooters Billiard Hall (2/F), you and your friends can play table tennis for only P60. Billiards are also played at the far end of the hall, but there are 4 table tennis tables too. You can also sit for a portrait of yourself at Point Black (G/F, 0927-3862704). Here, under the escalator, an artist can sketch you in charcoal (starts at P500) or pastel (starts at P800). If inking your skin is more your speed, there’s also a tattoo artist in a small room inside.
Get a massage
Though it’s not for everyone, many people swear by the therapeutic effects of massage by visually-impaired men and women. There is no debate about the contribution to their livelihood. Two establishments offer these services: Bless and Good Massage, both on the 2nd Floor. Reclining massage chairs are set up and you can choose from half and whole body massages for P250 or less.
Use the toilet
The toilets on the ground floor, near Rustan’s Shopwise, are some of the cleanest and shiniest we’ve seen in Metro Manila malls. Surprising, but true.
Hot tip: The central area where the fountain still draws people to meet up or just promenade. Mall hours are 10am to 8pm every day. May we suggest you finish your fountain meet up before it gets dark. You don’t want to court disaster, right? You know, just in case.
