Manila is more than a gateway city; it’s a cultural workshop. The Philippine capital is where heritage crafts, contemporary design and everyday artistry converge.
If you’re looking for well-curated, luxe souvenirs (or pasalubong in Tagalog) — elegant enough for collectors, meaningful enough for storytellers and made by artisans who define contemporary local culture — these premium Filipino-made items are your best bets.
Bold Furniture and Small Home Pieces
A shallow acacia bowl, a rattan-framed mirror or a sculptural side table can turn into the object everyone comments on when they visit your home. Look for pieces that show the grain of local woods and the subtle hand of the carver. Nothing beats handmade products from Paete, Laguna or Baguio City. For refined, tropical-modern furniture and accessories, explore Ito Kish, a studio known for finely crafted furniture and homewares from classic to eclectic.
Casa Juan and The Olive Tree sell smaller home items that are easier to transport (like linens and coasters). Non-profit Custom Made Crafts Center specializes in handmade pieces from Indigenous communities. And look out for artisan home brands at the ArteFino fair each year.
Handmade Shoes
Metro Manila’s Marikina is known as the country’s shoemaking capital. There you can find artisans like Black Wing Shoes, where a maker traces your feet, pulls out leather swatches and talks about how you walk. For another bespoke footwear option, look at Sapatero in Makati City. Both cobblers are rooted in traditional Philippine shoemaking.
If you are short on time, opt for ready-to-wear, locally made footwear from Marikina-based Una and Malaya Swim, Annie & Lori and Marquina Shoemaker.
Artisanal Bags
You might find your ideal bag in a quiet corner of a Makati mall or a design-forward pop-up. Designs are unique, handles are stitched cleanly, hardware is discreet and everything is proudly made in the Philippines. For fun, eye-catching purses and totes, go for Zarah Juan and Odel Handmade. And for more contemporary yet chic pieces, we recommend Aranáz and Rags2Riches.
Award-Winning Bean-to-Bar Chocolate
In a Manila café, you can sip thick hot chocolate made from cacao grown in Davao or indulge in chocolate bars that earn medals abroad. Premier Filipino chocolate often lists the exact farm and percentage on the label, which makes gifting feel more personal.
Stock up on bars, bonbons and more from local chocolate makers like Auro Chocolate and Malagos Chocolate, or enjoy unique combinations from Theo & Philo. If you prefer more artisanal, small-batch treats, try local chocolatiers like CMV Txocolat, 1919 Chocolate or Risa Chocolates.
Fine Jewelry by Filipino Designers
Whether you’re looking for pearls harvested from Philippine waters, ornate jewelry made from gold and silver or eclectic pieces featuring local materials, you won’t run out of options here. Designs are often sculptural and a little eccentric, which makes them memorable gifts.
For statement pieces that blend art and sustainability, seek out internationally recognized jewelry designers Ann Ong, Paul Syjuco or Nicole Whisenhunt. For coveted golden South Sea pearls, trust Jewelmer, and for jewelry that injects local flair with tons of color, peruse Merriam Batara.
Handwoven Textiles and Wearable Heritage
A piña silk scarf, an abel Iloko throw or a modern barong Tagalog can be the most meaningful item in your luggage. Many labels work directly with Indigenous communities, bringing traditional weaving and embroidery into contemporary silhouettes. If time permits, visit the towns of Lumban in Laguna or Taal in Batangas (roughly two to three hours from Manila) to see firsthand how local weavers make traditional clothing.
Up north, check out Narda’s Weaving for local woven fabric and garments, as well as bags and home goods. In Metro Manila, Filip+Inna is a standout for garments created with artisan partners across the country.
For local, sustainable pieces, pop into Apara Studio and Maison Métisse. For size-inclusive and contemporary options for everyday wear, head to Tayo Studio. And if you’re searching for locally designed shirts, Team Manila has tees that celebrate regional pop culture and more.
Remembrance from National Living Treasures
Some of the most evocative keepsakes are works of living heritage. Manila galleries and concept stores sometimes carry textiles like T’nalak or curated objects from Indigenous communities, often with the story of the artisans included.
For those willing to travel farther, a traditional hand-tapped tattoo by Kalinga’s Apo Whang Od, the oldest tattoo artist in the world, has become a kind of pilgrimage. However, it must be approached with cultural respect and preparation rather than as a casual add-on.
Fragrances Inspired by the Philippines
If you want something that will instantly recall Manila, perfume and candles are perfect. Local brands bottle memories of panaderia (“bakery”) mornings, rainy afternoons or tropical gardens. Simoy ng Haraya makes candles, room sprays and perfumes inspired by Filipino food and everyday life.
Other wonderfully scented selections are Wren Atelier, crafted by a local aromatherapist; home-based Amparo’s Apothecary from Baguio City that also produces fragrances and balms for sensitive skin; and Howes of Bath’s handmade soaps that look like works of art.
Philippine Spirits
For a taste of the Philippines, pack a small but well-chosen lineup of local spirits. Don Papa Rum, matured in the foothills of Mount Kanlaon, is best served neat or in an Old Fashioned. Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur turns the famous purple yams into a silky, sweet liqueur that’s a treat over ice or as a dessert cocktail base. Lakan Lambanog refines the traditional coconut spirit into a smooth, elegant sip that feels right at home on the rocks.
Easy-to-Travel Gourmet Treats and Pantry Staples
If you like bringing home flavors, Manila is full of unique food items that fit neatly in a carry-on. We recommend Saint C calamansi extract (great for cooking or crafting drinks) and Cocomansi (a combination of coconut extract and calamansi, a nice condiment for savory dishes), as well as classic dried mangoes, dried pineapples, crunchy banana chips and buttery pili nuts.
Small chocolate bars or discs of tablea (used to make Filipino hot cocoa) are other excellent choices. Toss in local coffee beans (such as Barako, a popular dark roast) and bottled cane vinegar or spiced coconut vinegar for salads and marinades.
For something more niche yet equally delicious, pick up gourmet tuyo (salted dried fish) or tinapa (smoked fish) in olive oil in well-sealed jars. With either, you can enjoy Filipino-inspired meals at home (both pair well with pasta or steamed rice). Local pasalubong shops (souvenir stores) or Kultura outposts at shopping malls usually have most of these items.
Contemporary Filipino Artwork
Finally, a print from a Manila gallery is always a conversation starter — no matter if you’re talking about a jeepney rendered in neon, a quiet landscape or something surreal and mythic. Small works and editions are easier to pack than canvases but still carry the energy of the scene.
Check out local galleries for established and emerging artists while keeping an eye on fairs and pop-ups that highlight young Filipino creatives.
