Every time our kababayans arrived in the Philippines, a favorite destination to go is the Duty Free Fiesta Mall. I have always been intrigued about what it is like inside. All I knew was that you pay in dollars. But what else is there to see inside? That is what I was about to find out.

Since travelling in and out of the country is very easy with the low fares and other budget airlines emerging, what better way than to spend a day at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall located in Paranaque City. It’s basically just next to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA 1).

My brother John Kenneth Maleriado, recently arrived from overseas for a two month vacation. So my mom came up with the idea of going to Duty Free Fiesta Mall one Sunday afternoon.

When we arrived at the lobby of the Duty Free, I had the feeling that I also had arrived from overseas. I like the festive feel to it and the ushers looked very smart in their Filipino inspired uniform.

If you want to go to the Fiesta Mall, you need to present a passport as evidence that you traveled from overseas within the days indicated.

My brother got his card and paper sorted, now it’s time to go shopping! When you make a purchase inside, you either pay in US Dollars, otherwise they can convert it to Philippine Pesos.

The Fiestamall has a wide range of merchandise. You can find almost everything you want at a good price.

Walking around the Duty Free Home was really interesting, specially if you are welcomed with huge discounts.

Duty free is not complete without a liquor store and at Fiesta Mall, you will find a wide variety of liquor. The question is, how much can you spend on it?

Next to the Liquor store, you will find the busiest section of the mall and that is the chocolate section. Every body loves sweets, and it becomes more tempting when they add freebies if you purchase an item.

My mom was having a ball trying to find out what else she could get. She looked happy and enjoyed her time haggling!

Now, it’s time to move to a different section which is the perfume, cosmetics and bags.

I love Longchamp and I had been able to purchase a bag on sale at Heathrow Airport in London. It was pity they didn’t have a sale during our visit to Fiesta Mall. I guess I just have to wait for some other time.

Aside from bags, shoes, scents, chocolates, and many more, you will find toys, sporting goods, electronics, and a supermarket at the ground floor level.

Everything you find in their supermarket are imported items, most of which are not available in our local stores.

But what I enjoyed the most and something I could be proud of was that,

we are a happy FILIPINO family!