The Philippines have so much going for them, from the vibrant culture to stunning landscapes. Part of what makes this tropical paradise come to life is the music. Not only are the streets and festivals around Manila filled with original and creative musicians, but there is a wonderfully intense market for Vinyl as well. We have tracked down some of the best record shops in the Philippines for you to check out.
For those with a little time to sift through many many bins, check out the Vinyl DUMP Thrift Store.
Home of the Kagatan Vinyl Swap Meet, this place has a history of being a realm of secret treasures. With rooms full of crates of vinyl, unique and surprising finds are common here. So, if you have time and know what is seriously good vinyl, this should be your first stop when looking for records in the Philippines.
For those of us still trying to break into and understand the Vinyl scene, head on over to Satchmi Music & Lifestyle Store.
Located in Mandaluyong City, Satchmi is known for being a welcoming spot to dip your tones in the record water. With an open floor feeling and coffee shop inside, feel free to ask the staff how they got started collecting Vinyl. They’ll show you around and talk to you all about the history and love of Vinyl. With brilliant listening stations, Satchmi Music seriously shows you how to dive headfirst into the collecting lifestyle.
For those of you with a few extra dollars looking for the once-in-a-lifetime buy, make sure to stop in at Tres Kuleros Records & Dry Goods.
To find this place, look for the storefront labeled Next Frame connected to the Ministry of Deeds office. Knock and ask to be taken to the record store, where you will be whisked upstairs into a living room of near priceless vinyl and audio equipment. Spend some time taking in the joys of stellar disks and soaking in the knowledge of the owners.
If you’d like to learn from one of the best Filipino Vinyl Archivists, don’t pass up the opportunity to hit up Yesteryears Music Gallery & Vinyl Store.
Tucked back in the UP neighborhood, Yesteryears has been rooted solidly in tradition while still constantly bringing in new and exciting contemporary music. The archivist is Mang Nestor Vera-Cruz, who is widely reputed as one of the best resources on Filipino music. So, stop by here for a fantastic collection of traditional and unique Filipino music while enjoying the atmosphere that years of experience has created.
For those of us who still want to buy a record for under P100 pesos, prioritize Evangelista Street in Makati City on the top of your must-see list.
This unlabeled shop is worth seeking out, as it has occasionally sprouted incredibly rare finds recently. Having a more thrifty feel, you will have to sort through a little bit. Much of what you will find will be classical eastern music, but hidden within will be gems if you’re good at finding them. So many of these, even if you just want to grab a record from someone you’ve never heard of, is incredibly cheap as well. So, spread your wings here without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re on the search for as many inexpensive records as you can get your hands on, or you’ve been holding out and saving up for a spectacular find, the Filipino record scene is a great place to be. With some stores focusing back on the traditional and oldies but goodies, while others are pushing the envelope, there is something for everyone. If this is your first time stepping into the records world, we’re happy to welcome you into our universe. Stop in and explore all that the creatives of the world have put together to keep you listening, jamming, and dancing.
The following post is a guest post by Lauren Nowack. Lauren is a trekbible writer and story maker from Pine Valley, California. She and her husband work in the recreation department at a camp. In their free time, they enjoy mountain biking, building out their Sprinter van, and adventuring with their new puppy, Shadow.
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