Filipinos take pride in celebrating the longest Christmas in the world. And when we say Christmas, it’s not just a fete of giant lanterns and enormous Christmas trees; it is also an exhibit of foods we are all fond of. Puto bumbong, bibingka, and puto’t dinuguan are some of the staples we enjoy after each Simbang Gabi, but the grandest celebration will be on Noche Buena, where everything laid on our tables is nothing but all special.
Apparently, we are lucky to have multiple supermarkets located at every corner of Manila to cater the most basic ingredients, Christmas baskets, and hard-to-find food products we need to achieve a heartfelt Noche Buena feast!
S&R
Branches: Congressional, Shaw, Alabang
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Patterned after warehouse membership shopping chains in the United States, S&R gives an exclusive shopping experience to consumers who avail membership. They offer local, but mostly hard-to-find imported products. Majority of items are sold in jumbo sizes and in cheaper prices which are good to purchase for home stocks.
People queuing outside the S&R for the markdown sale (Photo from S&R Facebook page)
S&R also serves a wide variety of snacks with bottomless drinks which you can enjoy after a tiring grocery shopping. They are most famous for their signature New York Style Pizza.
S&R aims as well to help every household to have a luxurious dining experience by having Ranch House Beef Shortribs in stock. You can see more holiday treats and new products available when you visit their Facebook Page.
Annual S&R membership costs PhP700 and PhP400 for an extension member.
LANDERS SUPERSTORE
Branches: Balintawak, Quezon City; Paco District, Manila
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Landers Superstore recently opened a branch in Balintawak on June 22. Designed just like S&R’s exclusive membership shopping, Landers offers a wide selection of unique foreign products we don’t normally see in local grocery stores. Majority of items are sold in bulk but they also have mini packs on display to cater shoppers who want to purchase an item for a trial.
Landers Superstore is open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. (Photo from Landers Superstore Facebook Page)
Definitely, they also have Christmas Baskets for the much-awaited holiday seasons. Packages include Organic Basket (PhP1,999), Noche Buena Basket (PhP2,999), Snacks and Beers (PhP1,499) and Black Box (PhP1, 099).
Aside from groceries, they also have a dining area which is names as Landers Central, a grooming section and a fuel station. Fee is PhP800 for personal memberships and PhP400 for one extension member.
PUREGOLD
Branches: See the ShoppersGuide directory for the complete list of Puregold branches in Manila.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
You may have passed by at least one Puregold supermarket branch on your way to school or office, or maybe when running an errand. This homegrown supermarket has been serving shoppers since 1998 and has over 80 branches nationwide (as of writing). They cater to millions of household who are in need of affordable yet quality and fresh grocery items.
Puregold along Shaw Boulevard (Photo from Puregold website)
Usual cooking ingredients for feasts are ubiquitous here and most likely are on sale especially Christmas is just around the corner. Holiday packages with pasta, sauce, cream and cheese are abundant and shouldn’t be missed.
You can visit their official website where they allow patrons to shop online and have the items delivered right at their doorstep.
SM SUPERMARKET / HYPERMARKET / SAVEMORE
Branches: See the ShoppersGuide directory for the complete list of SM Supermarket branches in Manila.
Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 9:00 PM (may vary per branch)
SM Supermarket Interior (Photo from SM City Cebu Facebook Page)
We’re sure you’ve been to this supermarket more than once. SM Supermarket is a market chain offering almost everything you need from fresh produce to health and beauty products. During Christmas season, they put boxes and basket packages on display which can be cooked for Noche Buena which can be good giveaways too. These packages that include snacks, juices, pastas, wine and other cooking ingredients are priced from PhP500 to PhP2,500.
SHOPWISE
Branches: Alabang, Makati, Libis, Cubao, Manila, Antipolo, Sucat, Commonwealth, San Pedro, and Cebu
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Shopwise is part of Rustans Group of Companies that has adapted a European-style hypermarket. (Photo from Shopwise Facebook Page)
Wise moms who want to get the best deals and save at the same time can turn to Shopwise. They have ten branches all over Metro Manila and nearby provinces. On their official website is a catalogue of holiday baskets and bundles which you can check out before going to one of their branches. Bundle selections can range from PhP149 to PhP3499.
WALTERMART SUPERMARKET
Branches: http://www.waltermart.com.ph/store_locations
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Waltermart has been in the market for 20 years. (Photo from the Waltermart website)
Walter Mart, which started its first community in the Southern Luzon, has been catering convenience to shoppers who would like to drop by before and after their office hours. Each branch is strategically located in Makati, Paranaque, Quezon City and several provinces in South and North Luzon. From November 3 to 30, shoppers can get a free Purefoods Fiesta Ham if they buy groceries worth PhP6,000 and pay using BDO, Citibank, Eastwest, PNB, or Metrobank credit card.
Check out their official website to see more of their holiday offers featuring holiday giveaway ideas such as baskets, bundles, wines, fresh meats, and more!
ROBINSONS SUPERMARKET
Branches: See the ShoppersGuide directory for the complete list of Robinsons Supermarket branches in Manila.
Opening Hours: varies per location
Photo from Robinsons Rewards website
One of the largest supermarket chains in the country, Robinsons Mall serves as a go-to place for families who spend time together on a Sunday or holidays. Inside is a spacious supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket where household goods can be found. Similar to many supermarkets in the country, they also offer holiday bundles that are good to go as Noche Buena and Media Noche packages as well as Christmas giveaways. What separates them from other supermarkets is their “I Love Wellness” campaign which encourages every shopper to achieve healthy living through healthy shopping. Indeed, your family can have a healthy Noche Buena celebration this coming Christmas Eve!
RUSTAN'S
Branches: See the ShoppersGuide directory for the complete list of Rustan’s Supermarket branches in Manila.
Opening Hours: varies per location
Runstan’s, an upscale department store and supermarket has been serving Filipino shoppers since 1970. They take pride in serving the freshest ingredients you can get at a reasonable price. You can purchase their Holiday Baskets at an average price of PhP3,500.
CASH AND CARRY
Branch: Filmore Street, Brgy. Palanan, Makati City
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Cash and Carry is a shopping haven for Makati peeps where it is located. Aside from the not-so-typical mall ambiance, it has earned its reputation over the years by selling imported products from home essentials to grocery items to surplus apparels. The supermarket has a large selection of great brands and fresh goods that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Food tiangge last June in Cash and Carry. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Labarda Granates)
These supermarkets are very convenient. All of them are accessible to all kinds of transportation and some are even walking distance from our homes. As early as November of every year, they release sales, discounts and affordable packages of grocery items which you can check ASAP to avoid the crowd. Here’s an added tip. While shopping, never miss to look for the expiry dates of your purchases to ensure their freshness. Store them in a cool place such as a fridge to prolong its shelf life and avoid food waste.
Which among these supermarkets you prefer to visit more often? Let us know at the comment section below!
Click the store names to see their exact addresses and contact numbers.
Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
