Supermarkets are convenient, but the Palengke (Public Market) is where the real action is. It's where the chefs shop, where the fish is freshest, and where you see the true bounty of the region.

What to Buy

• Seafood: Caught that morning. Tuna, lapu-lapu, crabs, and squid.
• Fruit: Sweet mangoes, hairy rambutans, spiky durian, and tiny bananas.
• Meat: Freshly butchered pork and chicken.

The Art of Haggling (Tawad)

Haggling is accepted but do it with a smile. It's a social interaction, not a battle. If you are friendly ("Suki"), vendors will often throw in extra items for free.