MANILA, Philippines - For 25 years, the country’s original “night market†at the Tutuban Center in Divisoria, Manila has been an avenue of opportunities for business-minded Filipinos who wish to provide enough for their families.
The night market has been a glowing spot for many of Manila’s street sellers and buyers — and it continues to shine brighter as Christmas Day draws near.
Although it has been, and continues to be, imitated by some cities in the metropolis, the Tutuban Center Night Market remains to be a vibrant choice. And for some who prefer to shop after office hours or even if the malls are already closed, people with tight schedules would certainly find the Tutuban Center Night Market a favorable option, especially during the Christmas season.
This exciting shopping alternative carries a varied array of goodies that can meet any checklist, from toys, novelty items, fun and fashionable accessories to home furnishings, gadgets and gizmos and apparel.
Credit goes to Tutuban Center Night Market’s friendly tenants who continue to offer year in and year out a variety of goods that are of great quality and affordable prices compared to other street bazaars.
Take, for example, 41-year-old Rommel Sebeda, who has been a loyal Night Market tenant for 12 years. Sebeda ventured as a tenant after he discovered it during a night stroll with his wife in Divisoria.
Sebeda, who hails from Oriental Mindoro, now sells T-shirts for guys and girls and clothes for kids, all made by local manufacturers, but sometimes, he tells them to make the designs he wants. “The designs are good but not expensive,†he says.
Because of his determination to succeed, Sebeda now has four stalls in Tutuban, providing him a modest amount of income during lean months. But for peak seasons like December, especially near Christmas Day, his sales could go up in just one night. And because of this business, he is able to support his wife and two sons aged 10 and 17. The Sebedas even now have their own humble home to speak of, and even drive a new yet modest family vehicle.
Despite his success, Sebeda still looks forward to improving his night market business in Tutuban. “As long as there’s a night market, I want to keep doing business there because that is where I started,†he says.
The humble tenant believes that aside from the alternative shopping experience and quality products the Tutuban Center Night Market offers, security is one main reason why people, whether buyers or tenants like him, continue to flock to Tutuban.
There are CCTV cameras installed to monitor the area, complemented by a substantial number of mall security guards. Added to this, Tutuban Center also has its own parking space and a variety of food places for buyers and visitors to refresh and recharge after shopping.
Sebeda’s story remains to be a good source of inspiration for those who may want to go into joining night markets in the metro to help improve their lives. Given his success, business-minded Filipinos can now consider the Tutuban Center Night Market as a good option to conduct business in and be a tenant of, especially during the Christmas season.
With hard work and the Tutuban Center management’s support, there will definitely be more Sebedas in the future, each doing a financially rewarding business made possible only at Tutuban Center Night Market.
For leasing inquiries, contact Aldrin Morales at 251-1661 up to 69 local 170 or 121.