The modern Greenbelt malls showcase Makati shopping at its best. These offer a tad more class and quiet, and feature a variety of upscale designer fashions for that Manila shopping binge. Pop into BVLGARI or DKNY. Or try outlets like Firma (tel: 757-4009) which does jewellery and Panama hats from Ecuador at P4,000 up, the all-black Carbon (tel: 634-4020) with its leather creations, bags and furniture, Kate Spade (tel: 757-4570) with handbags from P20,000, Mixdenim (tel: 757-4731) with jeans starting at P12,000, and Sou Mak Bed 'n Beddings (tel: 757-3914) showcasing a range of bed linen from the Philippines. The Glorietta complex, or “The Quad” at the heart of the Makati shopping action has everything from Nautica to Marks & Spencer, eats, junk food, and lots of distraction for kids. A good place for a long afternoon’s trawl, according to Manila correspondent Joaquin Paolo Gochoco, is the Galleria-Megamall-Shangri-La cluster. This group of malls is readily accessible via the MRT. From your hotel, it will be more convenient and expeditious to take a cab to the nearest station — Taft Avenue for those in the Manila Bay area and Ayala for those in Makati. The ride to Shaw Boulevard station will take about thirteen minutes from Ayala station and sixteen minutes from Taft station. The fare is a staggering 11-13 pesos. North Avenue Station is about 22 minutes from Taft, and costs around P15. You’ll find just about everything you want for your Manila shopping binge at these three malls, from the familiar to the downright funky. Shopping for things to bring to the folks at home? Check out Tesoro's (tel: [63-2] 844-4143) in Arnaiz Avenue for traditional Filipino handicrafts, Balikbayan Handicrafts (tel: 893-0777) also on Arnaiz Avenue for more of the same with a bit more woody flair, and Silahis (tel: 527-2113) in Intramuros for antique furniture and trinkets. Next to the Shangri-La in Makati, 6750 Ayala houses top-end European brands and designs. Next door, at Rustan’s you’ll find fragrances and jewellery.