A rainy walk to the Municipal Hall || Cheap shopping at a dollar store?

Nationally known as the "Empress City," Cabuyao City Hall is located at Cabuyao City, Laguna. It's the 142nd city of the Philippines and was previously known as the "Richest Municipality in the Philippines." Several industries are located here, like but not limited to Nestle Philippines, Asia Brewery, San Miguel Corporation, Tanduay Distillers, Wyeth Philippines, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Light Industry, and Science Park of the Philippines, and Malayan Colleges Laguna.

During ancient times, our town was called "Tabuko." But later changed into "Cabuyao," originated from the word "Kabuyaw," a citrus tree used by the natives when washing their hair during the early times.

Sadly, we do not have any major tourist destination and a product known nationwide. When I was a city junior councilor, I worked with the councilor assigned to the Department of Tourism. As they said, we have difficulty distinguishing and offering a local product as we have nothing unique to offer.

I proved this to be true when I worked at the municipality (OJT) and encountered investors. We were assigned to talk to them to showcase our products. There, I noticed that we are really struggling to discover our unique selling point. But I believe, someday, we'll be known nationwide!

I came here because I'm getting my postal ID, and to tell you the truth, I look horrible on my ID T^T An ID that I'll be using for three years, haha.

What I love about our city that other cities lack is the presence of green land area. Tho, I'm sure that it'll diminish over time coz there are so many industrial projects going on here right now.

Trees are amazing. They stand strong. They help the environment.

If humans are like them, I guess I'll like being one; sturdy, environment-friendly, pleasing, and you can lean on trees. But nah, most people are somehow like trees; they bring shade, lol.

What a massive tree out here! I miss being in provinces :<

The trunks of these are about the size of my whole body. I was amazed at its size as it's rare to see a massive tree like this in a city.

We also have this hallway of trees outside the city hall. So, I take advantage of it and take a picture, hehe. Good thing I have my mom to take my photos. But it took us almost half an hour to take these haha, coz I have to instruct her on the angle and such.

My fave shot was the one on the left side: me and a minute of organic happiness.

After getting my postal ID at the municipal hall, we get to NOVO: a shop known for its low prices. This is how our public transportation looks like: a jeepney.

As you can see, there aren't enough passengers. One factor of this is the never-ending lockdowns in our country. The pandemic hit our jeepney drivers financially. I remember when we had a volunteering project a few months ago, they were so thankful for a few groceries. Many of them have negative income during the hard lockdowns :<

After a few minutes, we arrived, and they were on sale! NOVO is known for its low prices starting from Php 5.00 ($0.01)! But, don't be disappointed. Their products are worth it. We've bought shoes, shirts, and other items here, and they last for a long time. The only difference is the absence of the high-end brand logo.

NOVO is a general shopping store. You'll find any essential items here. They have products for clothes, sanitation, house equipment, school, decorations, and many more! Come along with me as I introduce their prices!

Aside from the low prices, they also have an amazing air conditioning system + neat floors!

This is my mom contemplating what she should buy, lol. She's a hell of a money manager. I wish I have her budgeting skills, hehe.

As seen in the pictures, they have such a clean store. This is why I like stores with white floors and walls coz it's easy to tell if they have strict sanitation.

Tho, it's not super clean, but at least it's presentable. I doubt that they strictly follow the 5s system. Don't forget to bring your alcohol, everyone!

But, please mind your purchases 😉 Don't overconsume. It isn't good for our environment, especially leaving plastic wastes.

As seen in the picture, the price starts from Php 17.00 ($ 0.34). Quite a deal, yes? NOVO offers a variety of items. They offer:

CLOTHES

They offer a NOVO plain shirt for Php 85.00 ($ 1.69.) I remember whenever I need a white shirt for school camping during my junior high school days, this is where my mom gets my white shirt. Their colored shirts on the other hand, cost Php 120.00 ($ 2.38.) They have a 'sando' or sleeveless shirt for Php 75.00 ($ 1.49.)

Furthermore, their denim pants cost Php 300 ($ 5.96) and up. All the pants we've bought from them are still alive and kicking in my closet, lol. They also have caps for Php 75.00 ($ 1.49).

Of course, we've mentioned the clothes and such. Now, we'll go to shoes.

They offer black shoes for Php 300.00 ($ 5.96), sandals for Php 200.00 ($ 3.97), and rain boots starting Php 75.00 ($ 1.49.) They also have socks for Php 15.00 ($ 0.30) and as mentioned earlier, the foot socks I've bought from there are still in my closet, hehe.

HOUSE EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

What did I say? It's a general store. Their pots' starting cost is less than Php 20.00 ($ 0.40), and it'll vary as the size gets larger. They also have a spray for Php 30.00 ($ 0.60), and those flowers range from Php 30.00 - Php 65.00 ($ 1.29). If you've reached here, start your gardening now!

Here's my mom asking me if she should buy this umbrella, lol. We ended up not buying it coz we've bought pillows for my siblings as a trade-off, lol.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Most of the time, I'm allergic to expensive items, unless my fam bought them for me, hehe. This is where we usually buy our school supplies. I have a bunch of their sticky notes that start at Php 10.00 ($ 0.20), lmao. Some of them stick well, others not. Idunno why HAHAHA.

Those colorful flowers where you can clip your papers start at Php 15.00 ($ 0.30.) Our tapes also came from here coz they are so cheap. Most of the time, they're out of stock :< Their tape starts at Php 8.00 ($ 0.16)

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Ahhh... the spirit of Christmas! How I wish that our Christmas will bring delightful memories. Those Christmas balls that you see cost Php 35.00 per box ($ 0.70)

We also bought these pillows that cost us Php 160.00 each ($ 3.18)

Fun fact: We brought this on hand all the way from the store to home, haha. We don't have a private car, lmao. My hand hurts like hell after a day, lol.

Remember to buy things wisely! If we still can use things, avoid replacing them. 😉