First of all, I am not affiliated with any of the supermarkets I will review in this blog. They did not even ask me to review their supermarkets. I got this idea from our village newsletter a couple of years ago (I don't remember).
Anyway, I decided to make a supermarket review because: (1) there are so many supermarkets available and (2) I do the grocery shopping. You see, there are now 7 supermarkets in the Alabang area, namely: Puregold Molito, Metro Gaisano ATC, Makati Supermarket ATC, S&R Westgate (previously Pricemart, or similar), South Supermarket Filinvest (previously located in ATC), Shopwise Festival, and Savemore Festival (an SM supermarket). With the many choices available, one figures which supermarket is best. I have had the chance of trying all supermarkets and I can proudly say that I will always choose South Supermarket. You can say I am biased about this because our family has been shopping here for about 20+ years but we have also tried several other supermarkets for quite some time. I discuss the different supermarkets in detail (well, as much as I can) and verbalize more why I say that South Supermarket is the best choice here in Alabang.
1. PUREGOLD MOLITO
Puregold is really known as a "pang-masa" supermarket because they have bulk options that are good for those who have sari-sari stores or those into the food business. With this in mind, you can say that you can get value for your money here because you can expect relatively cheaper prices for their goods. The establishment is easy to get to since it is right along the Alabang-Zapote Road so commuters can go there easily. I like that this branch has an alteration station (even if it is weird to find that here). You can also find a watch repair shop and a driving school branch. Also inside the building are branches of Mang Inasal, Chic-Boy and more high-end restaurants, a coffee shop, a mani-pedi salon, an office and school supplies store, a 7-11 branch, an ATM, and others. There are a lot of space for food booths but they are not all occupied (some of them closed). You know that when you go there, you can go to lots of places. Parking spacewithin the building is pretty spacey but not a lot to accommodate the clientele so you can opt to park at the outdoor parking spaces.
I do have an issue with the look of this supermarket. They have tall shelves, so for a short person like me, they are very hard to reach. I find it weird that upon your exit, the security guard asks for your receipt, looks at it, looks at you bags, and stamps the receipt. Is it to check if you stole something? It's kind of hard to steal something when the guard's place is a couple of steps away from the cashiers. I really can't say much about the choices because I didn't really get to shop here much. But this supermarket is still good for general grocery shopping.
2. METRO GAISANO ATC
Among the 7, this is the newest supermarket. It is big, and the two things I can point out right away are the availability of a good option of international products and the nice deli. They also have a good choice of fresh meat and frozen meat products. They have their own supermarket so you can just get your parking ticket validated for a free parking fee. It is also good that there is a department store so you can go shopping before or after doing the grocery (preferable before so that you don't have to bring your groceries). They have a pharmacy and a good selection of food booths. They have a Starbucks branch (the 3rd branch in ATC), Sbarro, Buffalo Wings n Things, Serenitea, NYFD, and others. Even the small food court sells really good food. You don't need to go to the mall's food court to eat something delicious and filling. Also, I heard that the lechon and the pastries are also delicious. According to their website, the supermarket is open until 10:30 PM so people who can only go to the supermarket late, they can go here. Its location is also good since it is along the Alabang-Zapote Road, right at the outskirt of ATC.
Despite its size, aisles are very small and can get very congested. You have about 3 rows of shelves so you have a good chance of traveling a long way just to get to the aisle you want. This also makes it hard for people to check which aisle is which. Their shopping carts were really hard to maneuver and its dimensions too unfair for short people. Prices aren't really that cheap so this is more for the middle class and upper-class clientele. Food choices don't really come cheap. Parking space is also somewhat small so you really have to park perfectly for your sake and the sake of the person who will park next to you.
3. MAKATI SUPERMARKET ATC
This supermarket has been in this area for as long as I remember. Their clientele are mostly those from our village since it is near the nearest supermarket to us. It is fairly accessible to commuters because it is near the mall and the PUV stations. There are quite a number of choices for the meat products so you can choose which one will serve your purpose. They also have a good hardware and office/school supplies section. There are some ATMs located, even a branch of a bank is there. Only one restaurant is located so if you want food, there is a only a limited option. They have a Mercury Drugstore branch and a water station. You don't need to pay a parking fee if you get your parking ticket validated after you shop.
Prices are also not necessarily cheap here. Like Gaisano, they have 3 rows of aisles so it's hard to check for them. Parking is fairly limited since people who go to the mall also park there. I was never a fan of this supermarket but I do go here occasionally for quick grocery runs.
4. S&R WESTGATE
S&R is known as an exclusive supermarket because you have to get a membership card first. For 750 pesos a year (the last time I checked), it's a fairly reasonable price. This store is known for a wide selection of imported goods. You can also buy really big steaks here (the local supermarkets only have smaller ones) You can also buy goods in bulk. There are not a lot of food booth options here but the food is great. We always buy pizza or roasted chicken whenever we go here. They do have big carts (since you can buy things in bulk) and a big parking lot.
This is really a high-end supermarket so you can expect a high-end clientele. It's a good place to shop if you want really good guilty pleasure buys.
5. SOUTH SUPERMARKET FILINVEST
As I said, our family has been shopping here for 20+ years so I know South fairly well. Since have a new location, they don't have to fight with mall goers for parking space. Parking is also free, no need for parking ticket validation. However, since there are quite a number of restaurants (Teriyaki Boy, Pancake House, Earle's, and others) and other establishments nearby, their parking lot gets full fast. They have a BPI branch, a salon, a mani-pedi salon, a golf shop, a lotto outlet, a pet store, a barber shop, an LBC branch, a Mr. Quickie branch, and other establishments so you can do a lot of things in one place. Also, they have a healthy number of patrons so you will see very familiar faces (you can also spot celebrities once in a while). Products are fairly priced. It is nice that they have a mini-store dedicated for drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks). They only have 1 row of shelves so it is easy to check for them. They also have a mini clothes section and general medical supplies.
However, the place is hard to get to. If you are a commuter, you have to walk just to get here. Also, there are only a limited option for the meat products. There is only one supplier per section so you can't scan for price options. It's nice that the employees have freedom of speech but I get awkward whenever I see their employees and their mini placards hanging on their necks. Still a good place to go to because their employees are friendly.
6. SHOPWISE FESTIVAL
Shopwise is located at one end of Festival Supermall. They have quite a spacious parking lot but this is not dedicated to the supermarket alone. They have quite a number of food booths and service establishments located here. They have a dedicated bakery that sells fairly price cakes, breads and pastries. They also have a rottiserie (did I spell that right?) which sells really good roasted chicken. They have a good selection of fairly priced products and even of imported goods. I know that Shopwise also closes late so late shoppers can still go here. Commuters will find this easily accessible also. They also have a department store upstairs.
We used to shop here but it's one of the farthest supermarkets in the area so it's not good in term of transporation. It's a nice supermarket favored by different classes, almost the same clientele of Puregold, but I don't really like going here because there are so many customers.
7. SAVEMORE FESTIVAL
As the name implies, you know that you'll get value for money so the usual clientele is the low middle class. We also used to go here. They lean more on the local products. This place is good for budget shoppers. It's at the other end of Festival, and just like Shopwise, their very big parking space is not dedicated to them.
This really never clicked to me. I always felt confused when shopping there, like their wasn't a flow. I don't really remember much from this supermarket except that they have a baggage counter.
I hope this review helps Alabangers. Sorry for the absence of pictures.
Anyway, I decided to make a supermarket review because: (1) there are so many supermarkets available and (2) I do the grocery shopping. You see, there are now 7 supermarkets in the Alabang area, namely: Puregold Molito, Metro Gaisano ATC, Makati Supermarket ATC, S&R Westgate (previously Pricemart, or similar), South Supermarket Filinvest (previously located in ATC), Shopwise Festival, and Savemore Festival (an SM supermarket). With the many choices available, one figures which supermarket is best. I have had the chance of trying all supermarkets and I can proudly say that I will always choose South Supermarket. You can say I am biased about this because our family has been shopping here for about 20+ years but we have also tried several other supermarkets for quite some time. I discuss the different supermarkets in detail (well, as much as I can) and verbalize more why I say that South Supermarket is the best choice here in Alabang.
1. PUREGOLD MOLITO
Puregold is really known as a "pang-masa" supermarket because they have bulk options that are good for those who have sari-sari stores or those into the food business. With this in mind, you can say that you can get value for your money here because you can expect relatively cheaper prices for their goods. The establishment is easy to get to since it is right along the Alabang-Zapote Road so commuters can go there easily. I like that this branch has an alteration station (even if it is weird to find that here). You can also find a watch repair shop and a driving school branch. Also inside the building are branches of Mang Inasal, Chic-Boy and more high-end restaurants, a coffee shop, a mani-pedi salon, an office and school supplies store, a 7-11 branch, an ATM, and others. There are a lot of space for food booths but they are not all occupied (some of them closed). You know that when you go there, you can go to lots of places. Parking spacewithin the building is pretty spacey but not a lot to accommodate the clientele so you can opt to park at the outdoor parking spaces.
I do have an issue with the look of this supermarket. They have tall shelves, so for a short person like me, they are very hard to reach. I find it weird that upon your exit, the security guard asks for your receipt, looks at it, looks at you bags, and stamps the receipt. Is it to check if you stole something? It's kind of hard to steal something when the guard's place is a couple of steps away from the cashiers. I really can't say much about the choices because I didn't really get to shop here much. But this supermarket is still good for general grocery shopping.
2. METRO GAISANO ATC
Among the 7, this is the newest supermarket. It is big, and the two things I can point out right away are the availability of a good option of international products and the nice deli. They also have a good choice of fresh meat and frozen meat products. They have their own supermarket so you can just get your parking ticket validated for a free parking fee. It is also good that there is a department store so you can go shopping before or after doing the grocery (preferable before so that you don't have to bring your groceries). They have a pharmacy and a good selection of food booths. They have a Starbucks branch (the 3rd branch in ATC), Sbarro, Buffalo Wings n Things, Serenitea, NYFD, and others. Even the small food court sells really good food. You don't need to go to the mall's food court to eat something delicious and filling. Also, I heard that the lechon and the pastries are also delicious. According to their website, the supermarket is open until 10:30 PM so people who can only go to the supermarket late, they can go here. Its location is also good since it is along the Alabang-Zapote Road, right at the outskirt of ATC.
Despite its size, aisles are very small and can get very congested. You have about 3 rows of shelves so you have a good chance of traveling a long way just to get to the aisle you want. This also makes it hard for people to check which aisle is which. Their shopping carts were really hard to maneuver and its dimensions too unfair for short people. Prices aren't really that cheap so this is more for the middle class and upper-class clientele. Food choices don't really come cheap. Parking space is also somewhat small so you really have to park perfectly for your sake and the sake of the person who will park next to you.
3. MAKATI SUPERMARKET ATC
This supermarket has been in this area for as long as I remember. Their clientele are mostly those from our village since it is near the nearest supermarket to us. It is fairly accessible to commuters because it is near the mall and the PUV stations. There are quite a number of choices for the meat products so you can choose which one will serve your purpose. They also have a good hardware and office/school supplies section. There are some ATMs located, even a branch of a bank is there. Only one restaurant is located so if you want food, there is a only a limited option. They have a Mercury Drugstore branch and a water station. You don't need to pay a parking fee if you get your parking ticket validated after you shop.
Prices are also not necessarily cheap here. Like Gaisano, they have 3 rows of aisles so it's hard to check for them. Parking is fairly limited since people who go to the mall also park there. I was never a fan of this supermarket but I do go here occasionally for quick grocery runs.
4. S&R WESTGATE
S&R is known as an exclusive supermarket because you have to get a membership card first. For 750 pesos a year (the last time I checked), it's a fairly reasonable price. This store is known for a wide selection of imported goods. You can also buy really big steaks here (the local supermarkets only have smaller ones) You can also buy goods in bulk. There are not a lot of food booth options here but the food is great. We always buy pizza or roasted chicken whenever we go here. They do have big carts (since you can buy things in bulk) and a big parking lot.
This is really a high-end supermarket so you can expect a high-end clientele. It's a good place to shop if you want really good guilty pleasure buys.
5. SOUTH SUPERMARKET FILINVEST
As I said, our family has been shopping here for 20+ years so I know South fairly well. Since have a new location, they don't have to fight with mall goers for parking space. Parking is also free, no need for parking ticket validation. However, since there are quite a number of restaurants (Teriyaki Boy, Pancake House, Earle's, and others) and other establishments nearby, their parking lot gets full fast. They have a BPI branch, a salon, a mani-pedi salon, a golf shop, a lotto outlet, a pet store, a barber shop, an LBC branch, a Mr. Quickie branch, and other establishments so you can do a lot of things in one place. Also, they have a healthy number of patrons so you will see very familiar faces (you can also spot celebrities once in a while). Products are fairly priced. It is nice that they have a mini-store dedicated for drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks). They only have 1 row of shelves so it is easy to check for them. They also have a mini clothes section and general medical supplies.
However, the place is hard to get to. If you are a commuter, you have to walk just to get here. Also, there are only a limited option for the meat products. There is only one supplier per section so you can't scan for price options. It's nice that the employees have freedom of speech but I get awkward whenever I see their employees and their mini placards hanging on their necks. Still a good place to go to because their employees are friendly.
6. SHOPWISE FESTIVAL
Shopwise is located at one end of Festival Supermall. They have quite a spacious parking lot but this is not dedicated to the supermarket alone. They have quite a number of food booths and service establishments located here. They have a dedicated bakery that sells fairly price cakes, breads and pastries. They also have a rottiserie (did I spell that right?) which sells really good roasted chicken. They have a good selection of fairly priced products and even of imported goods. I know that Shopwise also closes late so late shoppers can still go here. Commuters will find this easily accessible also. They also have a department store upstairs.
We used to shop here but it's one of the farthest supermarkets in the area so it's not good in term of transporation. It's a nice supermarket favored by different classes, almost the same clientele of Puregold, but I don't really like going here because there are so many customers.
7. SAVEMORE FESTIVAL
As the name implies, you know that you'll get value for money so the usual clientele is the low middle class. We also used to go here. They lean more on the local products. This place is good for budget shoppers. It's at the other end of Festival, and just like Shopwise, their very big parking space is not dedicated to them.
This really never clicked to me. I always felt confused when shopping there, like their wasn't a flow. I don't really remember much from this supermarket except that they have a baggage counter.
I hope this review helps Alabangers. Sorry for the absence of pictures.
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