Most Filipinos will proudly claim that the country’s Christmas celebration is the longest and merriest in the world. The event begins formally on 16 December with attendance at the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses and continues on nonstop until the first Sunday of January, Feast of the Three Kings, the official end of the season.

The streets are well lit with displays of Christmas 'Parol' (pah-role), or star lantern which symbolizes the guiding light, the star of Bethlehem. It emits warmth unparalleled among holiday adornments and is unique to the Philippines.

Christmas is also the time when shopping malls are flooded with the items for Christmas gift giving. However, many Filipinos find the prices on these malls quiet high and shopping for simple giveaways might cost much more than what an ordinary consumer could have anticipated. Instead of squeezing their budget without accomplishing any of their major objectives, some are actually brave enough to explore these alternative shopping places in Metro Manila:

Divisoria Streets. Don't go to the malls yet, but try the unique offering of the Divisoria streets. The place turns into a shopping village at night, hence, the name "Divisoria Night Market". It is a haven that offers the best and cheapest bargain available in Metro Manila. Shopping here can be considered a crazy experience. It is like going through the Amazon Rain Forests with nothing but instincts while being chased by headhunters. It is that intense. Once you are finished with the test of endurance, stamina, awareness as well as senses, then rest those tired feet in the nearby 168 and Divisoria Shopping Malls. You deserved it.

Baclaran. If you are still thinking on how they're going to squeeze their budget for Christmas, but find Divisoria a bit too rowdy, then why not explore Baclaran. Most of the shop owners in Baclaran are direct importers of high quality merchandise. Hence, everyone can easily avail of their cheap collections of clothes and accessories, especially "tsinelas". Only one warning: don’t try to go there during Wednesday or you will have to squeeze your way in and out of the streets from morning until evening through a crowd of shop-hungry zombies.

Carriedo Street. Carriedo in Quiapo has always been a busy street where one has to literally inch their way through. However, during Christmas, Carriedo becomes doubly crowded with all sorts of vendors peddling their wares in sidewalks and beyond, and all sorts of shoppers buying the affordable items the place offers. Just don't go there during Fridays because that is Quiapo Day and that means shopping crowds will have to compete for every available walking space with church-going crowds.

So, if you ever want to get some good Christmas shopping for the best deals as well as find some uniquely crazy new items, then you definitely need to shop in these places. For safety, don't forget to leave your children and valuable bling-bling at home when you go there.