Fahrenheit 88 Mall at night

MANILA, Philippines — "I don’t just buy. I shop!”

Succinct with a single lofty lift of the eyebrow is how I would usually justify a 12-hour jaunt to the mall with no shopping bags— not even a teeny weeny plastic— to show for after. If you’re completely lost in the semantics, then you’re either a man (who couldn’t care less) or a bargain-hunting greenhorn.

You see, to buy is to simply purchase an item like a toothbrush or milk. To shop, on the other hand, is to hunt for as many options as you can, look at tags, google its features, try out, compare and then, buy. There’s a long methodical process to it, like science. Well, except perhaps when confronted by really great bargains like in a recent trip to Malaysia. Then, it becomes an instinctive Pavlovian response.

Classic Upmarket Vibe

To be fair, a trip abroad often comes with the licence to splurge. You’d see stuff that you’re not gonna find in Manila. Local brands sold in Manila would surely be cheaper there. And did I mention tourist discounts?

Shopping in Malaysia can be intimidating at first. Brands upon brands would line up Kuala Lumpur’s major malls. Conspicuously prominent are boutiques that have yet to set up shop in Philippine shores: Diane Von Furstenberg, Bebe, BCBG Max Azria and Brooks Brothers. Unlike Bangkok, whose charm radiates from its fabulous but dirt-cheap bargain finds, Malaysia’s shopping allure is its catalog of upscale designer finds… at reasonable prices. Given the exchange rate of around PHP14.08 for RM1 (ringgit), that is already saying much. But eventually, you’d consider it money well spent as fashion finds in Malaysia have the more classic-upmarket vibe as opposed to Bangkok’s or Hong Kong’s youthful, trendier short-term pieces.

Among local designers, Bernard Chandran deserves first mention. The guy is a master on the designing board, with each piece fashioned like a contemporary work of art. Even when inside a window display, viewed from a few feet away, his clothes and accessories scream expensive. Bag whores, on the other hand, would find a god in celebrated Malaysian bag designer Sasha Rowena. You’d salivate over her unique pieces, including a fringed cowhide bucket bag that you’d wont to let go of… that is until you see the price tag: RM1000, roughly P14,000... or even until then. A host of other talented designers are featured at Fahrenheit 88 Mall’s The Twelve and Chapter 8, hubs for the up-and-coming, much like Manila’s The Ramp. And while you’re in KL, check out Pull&Bear at the Pavilion. It’s not a local brand but a Spanish import like Mango and Zara. Catering to a much younger and hipper clientele, the shop plays host to an array of on-trend but affordable pieces.

Southeast Asia's First

KL’s shopping havens are no match, though, to the Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) that recently opened in Malaysia. Only about the size of SM Manila, JPO isn’t big. Certainly, it's not as gigantic as the outlets in the US. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in discounts. If you can stomach (and I’m sure you could and would!) the four-hour drive from KL, I’d say curb flailing those credit cards until you’ve scouted the place.

JPO is the first outlet center to open in Southeast Asia and bargain hunters have shown their appreciation and excitement the only way shoppers can: buying by the hordes. Both Malaysians and Singaporeans (who ironically are just an hour’s drive away!) have already made the outlet their “bargain” center, which at first glance is quite unusual considering that the brands in JPO are anything but cheap. Burberry, Michael Kors, Armani Exchange, Ferragamo, Shanghai Tang, Timberland,Versace, Oroton and Zegna are just some of the luxury heavyweights in JPO. And they are not cheapskates in giving discounts. Stores in JPO give as much as 65% off on their products. Add to that the already cheap finds and you’ve got yourself a no brainer. No-brainer, in fact, should be your battle plan when shopping in JPO. No-brainer, meaning don’t think, don’t mull, just grab! Remember, JPO is the place where all the Emily Post niceties on shopping would fly out the window.

One rule to remember in JPO: never put your items down. Even when your hands are already aching, brave on. The second you leave a piece on a rack or a table, another vulture… I mean… customer will snatch it like it was some piece of game. Never underestimate people or a price tag. Take for instance, a black Michael Kors leather bag. Quite expensive, you’d think you’ll have about half an hour more to participate in a furious buy-or-not internal debate. But in JPO, all it takes is 15 minutes before it’ll be paid for and shoved into the shopping bag… of another. So wait until you’ve lined up for the cashier before you mull. Of course, not all stuff are great bargains when you consider the forex so factor that in too when deciding.

In general, items are on a bargain. Shoes in Vincci (which we know as VNC in Manila) that would normally be around P1000 to P1700 would just be about RM40 to RM60 (P560to P840). There are even sandals at RM10 or P140, which is practically unheard of, except in ukay-ukay (local thrift shops). If you are looking to buy a few pieces of luggage, head off to Tumi or Universal Traveller. What would ordinarily cost P3500 here in Manila will only be P1900+ in JPO and mind you, these are European brands. Gap and Guess also offer great discounts on their clothes and accessories. You can score a bag at just P1000 and a small purse at P280. Unsurprisingly, athletic clothing stores Adidas and Puma are the most popular, with customers teeming around with shoes and shirts in their arms. With shirts ranging from P400 to P900 and rubber shoes at around P2000, who can blame them.

Shopping in Malaysia is one heady "bargain-ful" experience. Coming home, I had one extra luggage full of purchases, a turnaround from my usual cheapskate ways. In my defense, I would say it was a no-brainer.