A part of travelling? Shopping for souvenirs and pasalubong! Filipinos are mostly fond of recycling materials and transforming simple things to something extraordinary. And who would have thought that these transformations can form a living? Come, shop and sneak a peek at one of the unique stores I discovered in my exploration with my family in the Negros Island.
I visited Dumaguete City last Christmas with my family. This City is located in the region of Negros Oriental, southern part of the Philippines. “City of Gentle People”, it is how people call this city because of its welcoming and friendly locals. In our visit, we stop over at one of the tourist destinations in the area, the Subida Souvenir Shop. Subida means “slope” in English and is the name of the shop because it’s located at a sloped road.
This shop is not just a souvenir shop but also a curio shop and an art gallery. Later on, you’ll be amazed by the artworks this place has been producing.
The photo below shows the front and welcoming area of the shop:
When I got inside, I was just speechless of the things I saw. I never imagined that those things existed, and was really amazed by the imaginations and creativity of the creators of these stuffs. They manufacture and produce random things that will surely blow out your mind when you see where and what these things are made from.
They have products like traditional toys, shirts imprinted with the place’s tourist spots, fashion accessories, bags in sorts of designs, wood carvings, key holders and a lot more! We can’t help it but to be in full awe. Let’s all take a look at their creations, friends!
Are these faces seem familiar to you? Of course! They’re two of the most talked about politicians last year. The guy on the left side is President Duterte and his rival in Senate, Senator Leila De Lima. These wood carvings are just extravagantly made!
The Dumaguete’s famous “Bell Tower” is what the above artwork portrayed. The miniatures at the both sides are the city’s mode of transportation in which are called “tricycles”. Shown in the next photo is the actual “Bell Tower” of the city in which I posed candidly.
Here are more of their wood carvings that we found in the shop. Some of them can be designed in walls, doors, or even can be a wooden statue! Their wood carvings are very much suitable for decorations in home or just some addition to some areas’ interiors. And of course, these wood carvings are made from unused woods of Philippines’ well known tough trees such as Narra, Molave and more!
Fashion accessories are also available in the shop. Their tribal accent on their accessories were truly exceptional. Creativity and enthusiasm can truly be seen by just looking at them. Shells, seeds, beads, feathers, small pieces of woods, and stones are used in making these pieces.
There are some fashion accessories also that are made from recycled materials! I’m in awe! 😮
Bags made from plants like ratan and abaca? They have those! Subida also produce these bags made with tough quality and beaut. They have back packs, hand bags, shoulder bags and even baskets! Who would have thought that designs like these existed? A combination of native and millenial taste. Well thought! 👌🏻
Subida Souvenir Shop also produces organic products such as: chips, medicinal and organic drinks, oils, condiments, bread spreads, and many more! Most of them are made from raw ingredients in which the place is abundant. Availing these can also help their locals. These products are not just healthy, they’re also scrumptious and organic. Yum!
They also sell unique products like this love potion I held. This is made in Siquijor, an island near Dumaguete. This place is also known because of witch crafts inherited by their natives a long long time ago. And guess what? I was supposed to buy this but nah, there’s no need. Steemit loves me. 😂 And as well as 
Wooden pens! How? I imagine using this pen in my classes, I think I’ll be more poetic like Dr. Jose Rizal since writers before used some feathers and other pointed stuffs in writing. These pens are only priced fifty pesos each. Imagine how they managed in making it. Hmmmmmmm. 🤔
A pair of wooden spoon and fork. Interesting, ayt? Have you seen like these? Where? Coconut shells and wooden sticks will save your bare hands from eating. Let’s save water, you guys! 😊
A pair of chopsticks made from bamboo sticks. Why not? Great timing, I was about to buy new pairs of these to learn on how to use them. And I need a tough pair of chopsticks for my patience. It comes with lovely casing, too!
Check out some more of their products that comes in all shapes and sizes. You’ll be amazed by their unique style and purposes and you can help their locals, too! Their locals produced these handmade products.
My tita Joy loved their woven hats! And it looked so good on her.
This shop is truly magical. And don’t worry about their prices, they’re cheaper than you thought. I never had seen a shop like this but I am expecting to witness more. How ‘bout you steemians? Seen a shop like this since before? Comment below and don’t forget to upvote.
May the steem be always on our favor! 😊
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