I should stop listening to people who tell me to just head to a thrift store and expect a wonderland of things. Because when I visited Bangkal with a friend, it was a labyrinth.
There we were, two visiting folks so used to the clean and flatteringly lit interiors of foreign stores like Bo Concept, Crate and Barrel, and Pottery Barn.
Bangkal is Makati’s answer to Parisian flea markets. Local titles fan-girl over this being an open secret you’re supposed to be glad to have found. We’ve learned what exactly the place has, but why hasn’t anyone told us how to find its real treasures?
After three hours of patient searching, we found out how.
#1 Equip yourself with allergy medicines
When I told you this ain’t a Parisian flea market, that’s because Bangkal’s made up of tight quarters that could trigger a dead asthma out of nowhere. These stores aren’t in open spaces so they gather loads of dust. Before you hunt for your next room art, make sure your system can handle all the allergens.
#2 Be a patient digger
Unlike organized thrift stores that serve as souvenir shops in Tagaytay, thrift stores here are more of junk shops than anything else. Get past the dust bunnies, kitsch, and mountains of religious items, and you’ll find memorabilia that you may want in your house.
#3 Expect more novelties than furniture
Here’s a medal for finding those awesome vintage Coke freebies. But then, I won’t have other medals when you find a lot more because yes, there’s infinitely more quirky stuff than actual functional décor.
Most furniture are wooden pieces that look like they came from one extravagant lola. There were few timeless pieces like these cream-colored and leather black swivel chairs, but not much rivaled the portable cameras and vinyl records in different shapes, which you can use as either wall art, conversation pieces, or in your next DIY project.
#4 Don’t be surprised by vintage items tarnished by history
In Bangkal are strips of mostly unnamed stores you’d only remember by the first thing that greets you. Since most items are hand-me-downs, broken vases, illegibly printed books, and faded art, it’s hard not to be picky. But you should be, anyway.
Some décors’ flaws add character to the piece, so buy them anyway. Unless the flaws are the dried blood of injured soldiers (a store proudly laid out army wear, a broken rifle, and worn out boots, much to our horror), we suggest that you give imperfections a chance.
#5 Haggle
“Kuya, magkano po isang plate?” (“Sir, how much is this plate?”)
“P1,000 po.” (“It’s P1,000.”)
Yes, things in this thrift shop aren’t that thrifty after all. Vintage items—nice plates, furniture, old cameras—may be sold from P1,000 and up. Is it pricey because they cover all the history classes we’ve missed? Maybe. Nonetheless, try to haggle. Nobody can just put a definite price on value. Try your luck, and maybe like us, you’ll get that precious plate—or whatever you’re eyeing—at an even lower cost.
Photos by Patrick Segovia