A Handy Guide for First-Time Taytay Tiangge Shoppers

With this shopping guide, you can go all-out when you visit Taytay Tiangge!

By: Eunice Sheene Fulgencio | September 21, 2018

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Image: @heiya21

There are quite a number of things in life that bring pleasure: a fulfilling job, a healthy relationship, a rewarding hobby, and, of course, an aesthetically pleasing outfit. A timeless phrase does say “dress to impress:” strive to always look your best in order to get the most out of life. Looking for a place to shop? Head to Taytay Rizal!

And while that sounds ideal and fun, a tight budget might put a damper on things—after all, fashion isn’t the only priority. So even if splurging on branded clothes is very tempting, it is anything but practical. Fortunately, there is a shopping haven of affordable yet quality clothing right outside the metro: Taytay Tiangge. And if you haven’t found yourself exploring the place yet, we got you covered. Check out our Taytay Tiangge market guide below to help you know the place!

A Brief History

During the grand opening, the tiangge had a total of 1,516 vendors.

Image: Taytay Tiangge Facebook Page

Taytay Tiangge is located in Taytay, Rizal not even 30 kilometers from Metro Manila. Also known as the “woodworks and garments capital of the Philippines,” Taytay has won many accolades including 1st place in Infrastructure and 2nd place in Economic Dynamism for 1st to 2nd Class Municipalities during the 5th Regional Competitiveness Summit and Awards Ceremony last year.

The tiangge (bazaar) itself was spearheaded back in 2010 by town mayor Joric Gacula after he realized its potential. It is composed of many stalls run by the locals that sell locally-made fabrics, accessories, and ready-to-wear (RTW) clothing at reasonable prices. In fact, Taytay Tiangge is also where popular markets in Metro Manila like Divisoria, Greenhills Shopping Center, and Baclaran get their products from.

When To Go

It is most ideal to visit the tiangge during its bagsakan hours.

Image: @edeltecho

Unlike the markets in Metro Manila where you can drop by whenever you like, there are key timings to consider before going to Taytay market so you can get the most out of your shopping trip. The bagsakan time, or when the supplies are usually replenished, is on Monday and Thursday, from 6 PM at night until 10 AM the following day.

Each stall may have a different opening and closing time depending on the day, but business hours are usually from 6 AM to 5 PM daily.

What To Bring

It always pays to come prepared especially when shopping.

Knowing what and how much to bring is ideal to make the experience as hassle-free as possible. Here are some of the things you should have when you go to Taytay Tiangge.

• A small purse – a crowd could always be expected in the tiangge, so expect cramped spaces. For maximum agility (and less chance of hitting someone), opt for a smaller bag, preferably one with a sling.

• Water, wet wipes, and a fan – though the business is booming in the area, it is yet to be air-conditioned. Since you will be doing some serious shopping, getting sweaty is inevitable. Help yourself out and stay fresh by bringing along things that will help you cool down.

• A comfy outfit – you would not want to be in painful heels or a restricting skirt while you get down and dirty trying to score the best deals. Wear clothes you’re most comfortable in so you’ll have fewer things to worry about.

• Small bills – it isn’t ideal to give out a PhP1,000 bill for a garment that costs PhP50. Carry with you smaller bills to speed up the buying process and to also make sure there won’t be a “keep the rest since the vendor doesn’t have enough change” scenario.

• An eco bag (or eco bags) - be a responsible shopper and do your part to help save the environment by having a reusable bag where you can place your finds. Refusing single-use plastic once at a time can really go a long way in the end.

What To Buy

PhP1, 000 can go a long way in Taytay Tiangge.

Image: @jonnababes

There are clothing items that can be bought in the tiangge for the entire family. The garments might be priced a bit differently depending on the stall but kids’ dresses can be bought for PhP50 to PhP100, tops are anywhere between PhP25 to PhP100, dresses and bottoms go for a couple hundred pesos, and overruns and denims are about PhP250 to PhP350.

It is important to know though that most of the pieces are “free size” that fit small to medium frames. But if you look around hard enough, there are stalls that also offer items for other body types.

A Few Helpful Tips

Clever tips can make your shopping experience so much easier.

Shopping is more fun if you have your friends with you as they have valuable opinions on what looks good on you. Being with a group will also give you another advantage in Taytay Tiangge as some stalls offer wholesale prices if three pieces of the same item are bought.

Do not get too carried away with the shopping fun; always be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you have all your belongings with you to avoid problems.

And finally, do not buy something on impulse. It might be tempting to get your hands on as many clothes as you can, but the purpose of saving money will be defeated if you go overboard. Be certain about what you will wear and not just what you think you will wear. Likewise, always check your purchases for stains, rips, and unfinished sewing.