Cubao has long been a treasure trove for thrifting enthusiasts, offering a mix of old and new in the heart of Metro Manila. Whether you’re on the hunt for vintage finds, unique fashion pieces, or just enjoy the thrill of the hunt, Cubao’s ukay-ukay scene won’t disappoint.

The best part? Many of these gems are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to spend an afternoon hopping from one shop to the next. But here’s a caveat: Instead of Adidas, you might find shoes called Abibas.

Anonas Ukay-Ukay

To visit Anonas Ukay Ukay, take the MRT Line to Cubao, transfer to the LRT 2 at Gateway Terminal, and get off at Anonas Station. Buses along EDSA also go to Cubao; from there, catch a jeepney to Anonas.

Anonas Ukay Ukay features a range of prices, from under Php 100 for old items in the hallway to up to Php 3000 or more for some pieces. For the best selection, visit on Thursdays when new stock arrives.

The area is mostly air-conditioned, with some stores specializing in bags, toys, shoes, and specific brands.

Desabel RTW Surplus Center

You can locate Desabel on the ground floor of the Opulent building, situated at the intersection of General Roxas Avenue and EDSA. It shares the same row of street-level shops with VC Trading, known for fabrics, and is directly across from Farmer’s Market and the UV Express terminal to Antipolo.

Desabel is a small, air-conditioned ukay-ukay offering branded apparel like Uniqlo and H&M. The narrow space extends a bit deep, with sale items in the back and a section to the right for toys and other knick-knacks.

Fleur De Lis Fashion Center

You’ll find the ukay-ukay on the ground level of the ACT building after making a right turn from EDSA to Aurora.

Fleur De Lis is an open, well-organized, and air-conditioned ukay-ukay, featuring Bible quotes near the fitting rooms. It mostly offers women’s clothing, making it a great spot for relaxed, aimless shopping.

Dress Up

Continue down Aurora Boulevard, pass Eurotel, and you’ll spot the Dress Up store in the old ACT Theatre building. It’s unmistakable, especially with the cherry blossom plants decorating the sidewalk during our visit.

This wagwagan center, popular on TikTok for its massive size, has an L-shaped first floor and a huge second floor filled with clothes and shoes. The store, located in an old theater, focuses heavily on winter clothes and has a wide range of formal wear, including wedding gowns.

Robox

After crossing the street from WCHA towards Ali Mall, you’ll find Roblox easily, thanks to its toy-filled window display that guides you right to the shop.

This shop is similar to WCHA, but its lower floor is larger. While the second floor has plenty of bags, there’s also a huge selection of stuffed toys.

WCHA

Turn right from Kabunyan onto General Romulo, walk a few meters, and you’ll see WCHA’s blue storefront at the start of Cubao Expo.

The shop features new shoes and clothes on the ground floor. Head to the second floor for two more rooms and a small fitting area. For the best deals, check out the second room upstairs, which is air-conditioned. If you’re hunting for bargains on brands like Converse, this is the place to look.

Uncommon Trendy Apparel

Once you find Desabel, you’ll spot Uncommon Trendy Apparel a few stores away.

Uncommon Trendy Apparel is similar to Desabel, minus the toy section. It offers a good selection of clothes and shoes, including some designer heels, though we can’t verify their authenticity.

Kabunyan Dry Goods

Kabunyan is located on the second floor of Hansel Arcade, an old building along Aurora. Walk past EDSA, towards General Aguinaldo, and you’ll spot the Hansel Arcade sign across from Isetann, right above some non-working escalators.

Kabunyan is a spacious and well-organized ukay-ukay with sections for different types of clothing, including Western brands like Mango and Japanese-made items. There’s also a spot for tools, accessories, and general knickknacks. Plus, it has air conditioning, though it’s not the strongest.

Balenciaga na sana pero Balengiga pala nakalagay.