How to get to Villalobos Street

My other post was just waaaay too long. So its better to discuss this separately- how do I get to Villalobos Street?

More importantly, what's the quickest way?

The fastest, easiest way to get in and quickly out of Quiapo is to take the LRT. Wherever you're from in Manila or the province just get to any LRT station and make your stop at Carriedo station.

From the station, go to the last staircase near Isetann area. When you get down the steps walk towards C. Palanca Sr. St. (you'll see a Scott's Burger mascot). Walk straight down the whole stretch of C. Palanca Sr. St. alongside SM carriedo until you reach the vegetable market then the fish market. The street will eventually intersect with Villalobos street. Then turn left inside Villalobos street to go to Wellmansons or DIY Beadshop which is beside a Tambunting pawnshop.

This is the most efficient route if you are avoiding crowds during holidays like Christmas, Easter or First Friday Mass.

The other parallel street, Carriedo Street is clogged with ambulant vendors and crowds during the holidays. C. Palanca Sr. is a street for the buses and motorized pedicabs, there's hardly a stampede-like crowd here unless its the Black Nazareno parade.

Another route from the LRT station- just make sure you get to Quiapo church through Carriedo or Hidalgo Street. Once at the Church area, the street in front of the Quiapo church is Villalobos street (near the Mercury Drug digital signage).

A Saftey Tip
I would suggest dressing down or going very casual - wear flipflops or sneakers. Getting through the wet market of Villalobos street can be tricky, you can end up with really sticky or muddy feet. Quiapo is not a mall, be mindful of your belongings, you do not want to look like easy prey in this area. So leave the pricey jewelry at home and never bring oodles of cash.



I know the map looks awful. I'll be uploading a better one in a few days with the other Crafts stores in Villalobos Street. For other maps of Manila areas, visit Kabeet.com

Marche & Juliette

I am starting my multiply store soon. Once I create enough jewelries to sell. My fingers are starting to feel the blisters now with the wires.

I am naming my homemade jewelry collection, Marche & Juliette. An ode to two loving people whom I lost in 2008 - my Uncle Marciano (we call him Marsha) and my aunt Juliet. They were both openly gay and single.



They were fire and ice, fierce and loving. They died a month apart, perhaps in grief with one losing the other. My Aunt Juliet loved Jade stones, emeralds and earthy tones. She adored Chinese goodluck charms since she was a tindera in the markets of Pampanga.



My Uncle Marciano spent 33 years in Paris as a concierge. He's very meticulous, feisty and had this regal aura about him. He followed trends and was always in vogue. He often wore black, gray, bold and sophisticated colors.