Quezon City's Hidden Treasures
by Elizabeth Aragon
Quezon City is not only a place for site seeing, it also has good places in which one may find very unique items. Within the city, one may visit Kamuning, a place where hidden treasures, from clothes to furniture maybe found. If you go around, you may discover all kinds of stuff that are not only cheap but also very rare. The Kamuning Market is not only a place where you could buy fresh food and vegetables it is also known for selling quality fabrics at a cheap cost, there are also numerous tailors that are ready to cater to your every need. Around the market, there's what we Filipino's would call "ukay-ukay". Here, they sell secondhand and vintage clothes, bags and shoes for a bargain. Books and vintage cars are also some interesting things one may check out when in the area.
Antiquing around Kamuning Road
One of the most interesting and popular features of Kamuning are the different antique stores found there. Along Kamuning road, there are several stores that have unique items that are surely to catch one's eye. No two things are the same, all stores offer something different. As I was going around the stores, I was amazed to discover how interesting everything was inside. They had a real variety of thing, from ceramic lamps, extravagant chandeliers and cabinets from Taiwan to calendars and notebooks from 1879, antique shot glasses and vintage records. It's definitely an interesting place to explore just for the thrill of seeing all these stuff that you never thought you would see.
The first store I visited was closed but I was able to see the inside through the windows. I saw a lot of beautiful and unique looking pieces. One of which was a chandelier with seven layers of glass crystals as its design, wooden furniture, antique lamps and figurines. I thought to myself, if these items already were so interesting to look at, maybe I should go around some more. Going further down Kamuning Road, we stumbled across a two story shop full of antiques. It wasn't one antique shop only but it was one building where numerous antique dealers had set up their own stores. The amazing thing about this, not one thing inside the store was the same or identical with each other, all pieces had its own unique twist.
The first store I visited was closed but I was able to see the inside through the windows. I saw a lot of beautiful and unique looking pieces. One of which was a chandelier with seven layers of glass crystals as its design, wooden furniture, antique lamps and figurines. I thought to myself, if these items already were so interesting to look at, maybe I should go around some more. Going further down Kamuning Road, we stumbled across a two story shop full of antiques. It wasn't one antique shop only but it was one building where numerous antique dealers had set up their own stores. The amazing thing about this, not one thing inside the store was the same or identical with each other, all pieces had its own unique twist.
I always thought to myself that antique pieces would be old and boring but I discovered that almost all pieces has its on worth and value. Most of the pieces found at antique stores either come from garage sales, classified ads, sold to them by people who wish to sell their antiques or come from abroad. Several pieces come from other countries like Europe, Italy, USA, Taiwan and Thailand. Although most of the wood carvings and wood furniture come from the Philippines. As one store owner said, "that's what we are known for, the skill and art of Filipinos when it comes to dealing with wood".
It was very refreshing to see "real furniture", or pieces that have a history so valuable that you can't help but appreciate it. For music lovers out there, there was one stall located in the second floor that focused on old records. They had Amadeus, The Beatles, Guns and Roses and many others. There were also old comic books and large Star Wars and ET statues. They had old telephones, vintage toy cars, antique cash registers and baby strollers and even calendars and notebooks dating back to 1879. Nothing was too dull too look at, you would literally want to stay for hours and ask questions of where a certain item came from.
It was very refreshing to see "real furniture", or pieces that have a history so valuable that you can't help but appreciate it. For music lovers out there, there was one stall located in the second floor that focused on old records. They had Amadeus, The Beatles, Guns and Roses and many others. There were also old comic books and large Star Wars and ET statues. They had old telephones, vintage toy cars, antique cash registers and baby strollers and even calendars and notebooks dating back to 1879. Nothing was too dull too look at, you would literally want to stay for hours and ask questions of where a certain item came from.
Check it out!
You don't have to be an antique collector or maybe you're thinking you have to be old to appreciate this. I'm telling you, it is one journey you'll really be amazed with undergoing. They have everything for everyone. Antiquing around Kamuning may bring back one's childhood or make you want to collect a certain item but whatever it is this is definitely something you should check out. You don't have to buy anything, even just the process of going around and seeing such delicate items would really make you want to discover more of Kamuning's hidden treasures.
More pictures!
