Shopping in Bohol

Shopping in Bohol

Although not as varied as in Manila or Cebu, shopping opportunities in Bohol have much improved in the last couple of years. Nowadays, Bohol has three major malls, all located in Tagbilaran City.

Straight in the middle of Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (commonly known as CPG Avenue) in the old town center is the Bohol Quality Mall. Completely re-structured during the last few years, this mall has changed its main entrance from CPG Avenue to Gallares Street, and added a number of floors with additional shops, including a small bookshop, some boutiques, hair dressers, and several small restaurants. If you're looking for a good source of cheap books: there is a dealer in used books, appearantly imported from the US. The basement contains a large supermarket. This place is easy to reach, close to the Cathedral, and usually the place taxis from Panglao will drop you off if you ask them to bring you to Tagbilaran. Along CPG Avenue are a number of other shops and various banks with ATMs. Probably the best ATM is the one of the BPI on CPG Avenue, where you can withdraw upto 20.000 pesos per day.

A bit to the to the north-west of the town center in Barangay Cogon is Plaza Marcela, a large pink building. Opened in 1997, this used to be the best in town, but is now surpassed by the competition. This also has a large supermarket and several restaurants.

The newest and currently biggest mall on Bohol is Island City Mall, near the provincial bus terminal in Dao, in what is to be the future city center of Tagbilaran City. This mall was constructed in 2004, and contains everything you can expect in a large Mall in the Philippines: a large supermarket, well stocked department store, a National Book Store outlet, large supermarket, and a food-plaza in the basement. Since it is less crowded than the other two malls, shopping here is a bit more relaxed. Island City Mall is at a very practical location for people arriving from other towns in Bohol, but a bit away from the usual route for most tourists: If you're staying in Tagbilaran, you can hop on a tricycle and get there easily. With loads of stuff, or getting there from Panglao, a taxi may be advisable. Unfortunately, there is no international ATM at Island City Mall, so bring enough cash.

Besides these three malls, there are a number of smaller department stores, such as Alturas supermarket and Shoppers Mart.

For foreigners, it should be noted that you cannot take your bags into shops. You are expected to leave them at a "courtesy counter" near the entrance and will receive a token (normally a piece of plastic with a number on it). When leaving the mall, you can collect your bags with that token. Do not loose your token, as it may be very difficult to get your bags back without it, and less honest finders may actually use the token to get your bags. If you carry suitcases or backpacks, you may be asked to deposit them in a special counter. At Bohol Quality, you will have to pay 50 pesos for the save-keeping of such large bags, but luckily, these are consumable: you get a coupon you can spend in the shops or restaurants in BQ.

When you buy things in any shop in the Philippines, they will be packed for you in plastic bags (sometimes called "cellophane") which will be closed with cellotape or staples. A security card at the exit will typically verify the receipt--which often boils down to making a single scratch on it. In the supermarket, your goods will typically be packed in boxes, closed with plastic rope, and carried to the exit by an attendant. No tips are required here.

In the large department stores major credit cards are accepted, but they can cause some delay, and you may be asked for an additional ID, such as your passport. US dollars can be exchanged, but at an unfavourable rate.

Island City

The Holiday sale weeks ago was a big success, and with more and more customers craving for hefty discounts the sale continues at Island City Mall.

Big discounts of up to 50% on great selections will be given away at the Home & Fashion Department, including most of the tenant shops of Island City Mall on December 28, 29, and 30.

Meanwhile, Island City Mall is open until 10:30 PM on December 29-30, in order to accommodate the expected throng of holiday shoppers who will greet the New Year.

The mall is also ready with its wide and spacious parking area for customers which can accommodate up to 1,000 cars and 1,000 motorcycles in any given time.

For regular mall hours, Island City Mall opens its lower ground level, including the grocery and supermarket, at 8 AM; and the upper ground level and the second floor, including the Department Store, at 9 AM. The mall is open until 9 PM.

On the other hand, Alturas Supermarket is open until 8:30 PM on December 29 and 30, while Plaza Marcela opens and Kris-Lyn Shop n' Dine follow the same regular store hours, where Plaza Marcela is open from 7 AM to 9:30 PM, and Kris-Lyn Shop n' Dine is open from 8 AM to 10 PM.

The four stores of Alturas Supermarket, Plaza Marcela, Island City Mall, and Alturas-Talibon, including Kris-Lyn Shop n' Dine, are all open tomorrow, Christmas Day, December 25, but close on New Year's Day, January 1. Businesses resume on the following day, January 2, 2007.

BQ Mall

Boholanos will now have a reason to be happy these days for BQ Mall will be treating customers of the mall to an enjoyable shopping, food, entertainment and fun, by way of thanking the customers for their relentless patronage and in celebration of its 3rd anniversary, BQ Mall will offer a three-day anniversary sale on Nov. 17, 18 , and 19. Big discounts up to 50% will be given to selected and branded items aside from other perks that are in line for other quality goods at the men’s, ladies, children’s department and other participating mall establishments. So for customers who want bargains this is the time you’ll come up with your Christmas list.

The three-day sale will be replete with activities for shopping, food, entertainment and fun.
On Nov. 17, 18, and 19, BQ FoodPlaza will offer an “Eat All You Can” for food lovers. Friday and Saturday dinner only (6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) and on Sunday lunch and dinner. (Lunch will be served 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Treat the whole family to gastronoic delights at specially marked down prices, P110 for adults and P75 for children below nine years old exclusive of drinks.

On the evening of Friday, Nov. 17, there will be a concert at Level 4 carpark to start at 6 p.m. Dubbed “SMB Night,” the concert will feature a group courtesy of San Miguel Beer.

For entertainment, a three-ticket purchase at BQ cinema will entitle you to win a Wow
Magic Sing unit aside from seeing at the wide screen, your favorite James Bond action thriller “Casino Royale” that is having a worldwide premiere. For those who go for horror movies “Wag Kang Lilingon” is also showing nationwide.

On Saturday, the Teen Idol celebrities Jamilla and Fred of the famed Pinoy Big Brother will be featured at the Atrium together with the Play 4 u Band. The show will start at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 19 at 8 a.m., the most awaited grand finale between Manny Pacquiao and Eric Morales will be seen on the wide screens of BQ Cinemas live by telecast direct from Thomas and Mack Center of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sure seats are guaranteed to this epic confrontation between these two ring gladiators. Tickets are now available from members of The Bohol Medical Society and from BQ ticketing, level 4 CineLeisure Centre on first come-first served basis.

A delayed telecast of the Pacquiao-Morales III encounter will be seen during the “Eat All You Can” (Lunch) at BQ Food Plaza on Sunday.

At six in the evening, the grand draw of BQ Mall’s Shop, Dream and Win raffle promo will be held at The Atrium with featured guests celebrities Matt Evans of the teleserye “Pedro Penduko” together with Olyn Membian. The grand draw will conclude the year long Shop, Dream and Win promo with a Suzuki APV Family Wagon as grand prize. Also on stage to delight the crowd will be the Play 4 U Band.

For fun, a purchase of three tokens at BQ Funtastic Rides and Games will also entitle a customer to one coupon and have a chance to win one Magic Sing unit. And for kids who want to enjoy their favorite toys, the toy’s fair will open at the BQ Atrium on Nov. 20.

For customers of the three-day sale you will have a chance of winning Wow Magic Sing units that will be given away in a raffle before the BQ Mall Shop, Dream and Win grand draw. So there’s so much reason for shopping at BQ Mall.

Bohol Island Shopping Guide

generic Supermarket type stores

generic Supermarket type stores There are three large department stores in Tagbilaran, Bohol Quality, Alturas and Marcella. Alturas and BQ, sell everything from groceries, hardware, appliances, to a bakery, shoes and furniture, you name it, they have it. Marcella, on the other hand seems to be more up-scale and doesn't have as much variety. A quick comparison to stores found in other countries is a bit like comparing of like the difference between K-Mart and Macy's. Marcella has the best grocery store of the three with a wide selection and fresh produce, meat and fish.


Souvenirs and Handicrafts

Souvenirs and Handicrafts On the whole shopping for souvenirs and other memorabilia is best done off Bohol Island as not only do prices tend to be lower but the choice of items available is far greater. But don’t be totally put off  as there are a number of good outlets selling these items that are certainly worth visiting, especially if you don’t intend visiting other parts of the Philippines.

Items worth buying are baskets, jewellery and wooden furniture. For more information on what’s available, check out our Cebu Shopping Guides or contact us for more information.



Shopping Centers List

• BQ Mall
• Island City Mall (ICM)
• Alturas Supermarket Corporation - Tagbilaran
• Alturas - Talibon
• Plaza Marcela
• Shopper's Mart