Let's start reviewing different model shops available in Manila.
Please do follow the format to make it look more formal.
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Store Reviews....
shonen_red
Member Since: February 20, 2003
entire network: 5,762 Posts
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Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 11:37 PM UTC
shonen_red
Member Since: February 20, 2003
entire network: 5,762 Posts
KitMaker Network: 2,610 Posts
Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 11:38 PM UTC
***Hobbitio***
Location - Alabang Town Center
Landmarks - near the cinema, Toby's, Pocket Collector and Hobby Shop
Store Size - Long room,about 5 - 7 meters wide, 10 - 15 meters long
Paints - Academy and Gunze Enamels, Hobby Color and Gunze Spray Cans
Model Kits
-Armor - Dragon (mostly WWII) 1/35 and 1/72
-Aircraft - Academy (mostly WWII and few modern planes) 1/48 and 1/72, Hasegawa 1/48, Trumpeter 1/32 and 1/48
-Figures - Academy, Tamiya, Dragon and Limited Dragon release figures
-Ships - Panda, Trumpeter, Academy
-Sci Fi - Bandai Gundam kits 1/60 1/100 and 1/144, Star Wars and resin Anime figures.
-Cars - Revel, Tamiya
Personal Comments - Looks like the owner of this shop is the same with STC in Festival Mall. Nakausap ko sya kanina. As for the shop, specialty ata nila is Dragon models since around 50% ng armor is on them. Good line of figures especially the limited edition ones. The staff are quite knowledgable on their stuffs. *Cement? Anong paint kailangan mo"
Recommendations - If you're a Dragon figures and/or tank modeler, this is recommended especially the limited ed ones. AM parts are by order bases.
Location - Alabang Town Center
Landmarks - near the cinema, Toby's, Pocket Collector and Hobby Shop
Store Size - Long room,about 5 - 7 meters wide, 10 - 15 meters long
Paints - Academy and Gunze Enamels, Hobby Color and Gunze Spray Cans
Model Kits
-Armor - Dragon (mostly WWII) 1/35 and 1/72
-Aircraft - Academy (mostly WWII and few modern planes) 1/48 and 1/72, Hasegawa 1/48, Trumpeter 1/32 and 1/48
-Figures - Academy, Tamiya, Dragon and Limited Dragon release figures
-Ships - Panda, Trumpeter, Academy
-Sci Fi - Bandai Gundam kits 1/60 1/100 and 1/144, Star Wars and resin Anime figures.
-Cars - Revel, Tamiya
Personal Comments - Looks like the owner of this shop is the same with STC in Festival Mall. Nakausap ko sya kanina. As for the shop, specialty ata nila is Dragon models since around 50% ng armor is on them. Good line of figures especially the limited edition ones. The staff are quite knowledgable on their stuffs. *Cement? Anong paint kailangan mo"
Recommendations - If you're a Dragon figures and/or tank modeler, this is recommended especially the limited ed ones. AM parts are by order bases.
blank
Member Since: August 28, 2003
entire network: 190 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 12:05 AM UTC
LILS Parksquare
Location - Park Square I
Landmarks - Across the street from Abensons and near National Bookstore in Gloretta
Store Size - Pretty big - the biggest hobby shop I've seen here
Paints - Tamiya mostly, but I did see a few Gunze paint sets there last I went
Model Kits
-Armor - Tamiya, Academy, Italeri, Dragon, Trumpeter and a few Revell kits
-Aircraft - Tamiya, Academy, Italeri, Revell and Trumpeter in a wide range of scales. Gliders and gas-powered helicopters too
-Figures - Tamiya, Dragon, Academy
-Ships - Tamiya, Trumpeter and Panda's USS Cole
-Sci Fi - A few Gundams
-Cars - Tamiya, a lot of R/C, Mini-4WD and die-cast too
Personal Comments - According to a memo prominently posted on its wall, it (and other LILS stores) seems to be the only authorized Tamiya dealer in the country. Great prices on EVERYTHING (lower than pretty much every other shop in the Philippines) but the selection is not so good, for armor modelers (like me) at least. Lots of airplanes, cars and ships - even some collector's items like toy-sets and die-cast models. Restocks every month - an order from Italeri is coming in April, according to one of the salesladies.
Recommendations - Everyone who happens to be in the neighborhood, because of price, but airplane, ship and car modelers (and Tamiya fans) will get the most out of it.
Location - Park Square I
Landmarks - Across the street from Abensons and near National Bookstore in Gloretta
Store Size - Pretty big - the biggest hobby shop I've seen here
Paints - Tamiya mostly, but I did see a few Gunze paint sets there last I went
Model Kits
-Armor - Tamiya, Academy, Italeri, Dragon, Trumpeter and a few Revell kits
-Aircraft - Tamiya, Academy, Italeri, Revell and Trumpeter in a wide range of scales. Gliders and gas-powered helicopters too
-Figures - Tamiya, Dragon, Academy
-Ships - Tamiya, Trumpeter and Panda's USS Cole
-Sci Fi - A few Gundams
-Cars - Tamiya, a lot of R/C, Mini-4WD and die-cast too
Personal Comments - According to a memo prominently posted on its wall, it (and other LILS stores) seems to be the only authorized Tamiya dealer in the country. Great prices on EVERYTHING (lower than pretty much every other shop in the Philippines) but the selection is not so good, for armor modelers (like me) at least. Lots of airplanes, cars and ships - even some collector's items like toy-sets and die-cast models. Restocks every month - an order from Italeri is coming in April, according to one of the salesladies.
Recommendations - Everyone who happens to be in the neighborhood, because of price, but airplane, ship and car modelers (and Tamiya fans) will get the most out of it.
GIBeregovoy
Member Since: May 31, 2002
entire network: 1,612 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,129 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 01:48 AM UTC
JMN - Da Best! 'nuff said. :-)
(Sorry for not following the format hehehe)
BTW, with regard to Hobbitio and Dragon, it's because - according to STC Filinvest - STC is the exclusive distributor of Dragon products, whereas Lils is the exclusive distributor of Tamiya products. Hence, one easily notices the "bias" (for lack of a better term) on kits, tools, and paints in both stores.
(Sorry for not following the format hehehe)
BTW, with regard to Hobbitio and Dragon, it's because - according to STC Filinvest - STC is the exclusive distributor of Dragon products, whereas Lils is the exclusive distributor of Tamiya products. Hence, one easily notices the "bias" (for lack of a better term) on kits, tools, and paints in both stores.
shonen_red
Member Since: February 20, 2003
entire network: 5,762 Posts
KitMaker Network: 2,610 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 01:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
BTW, with regard to Hobbitio and Dragon, it's because - according to STC Filinvest - STC is the exclusive distributor of Dragon products, whereas Lils is the exclusive distributor of Tamiya products. Hence, one easily notices the "bias" (for lack of a better term) on kits, tools, and paints in both stores.
Yep, that's what everyone says! Anyone know where to get many Accurate Miniatures models beside Accurate Model Works?
blank
Member Since: August 28, 2003
entire network: 190 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 01:58 AM UTC
Waitasec, if they're EXCLUSIVE distributors then how do they sell each other's products, and how do other shops like JMN get their hands on them? (e.g. Lils has Dragon, and STC has Tamiya)
shonen_red
Member Since: February 20, 2003
entire network: 5,762 Posts
KitMaker Network: 2,610 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 02:01 AM UTC
Just check their prices. Lils has some "patong on Dragon" and vice versa. I think JMN buy their stuff via net and add "patong" too. Or maybe these two shops buy another one's and sell it at a higher price #:-)
jomz
Member Since: June 08, 2003
entire network: 543 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 02:20 AM UTC
LILS Parksquare has got to have the ladyiest and worst sales staff, ever around. Except for the head saleslady who is really in the know with regards to her craft -- mapa RC man, o Static model, she can pretty much have you know what to get.
LaTtEX
Member Since: May 13, 2003
entire network: 292 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 02:57 AM UTC
Quoted Text
LILS Parksquare has got to have the ladyiest and worst sales staff, ever around. Except for the head saleslady who is really in the know with regards to her craft -- mapa RC man, o Static model, she can pretty much have you know what to get.
I have to agree with that. Yung head saleslady (I figure she's the sister of the manager who owns that dog that's always there) really helps you out. She explained to me what I needed to know about my Tamiya Spray works airbrush. As for the rest, oh well.
shonen_red
Member Since: February 20, 2003
entire network: 5,762 Posts
KitMaker Network: 2,610 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 02:59 AM UTC
If you happen to see the Korean?? owner of any STC branches (mostly seen him at STC Filinvest), he has knowledge over some of the items.
jomz
Member Since: June 08, 2003
entire network: 543 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 05:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
If you happen to see the Korean?? owner of any STC branches (mostly seen him at STC Filinvest), he has knowledge over some of the items.
I reckon, he does some of the kits on display, too? I'm curious about the 'Nam era diorama which used the Dragon US Navy Seals II figure-set -- who made and painted the figures? I have such high praises with the Tiger-stripe camo-job he made on that one.
Oh yeah, for the people on a budget, yet are willing to take a jump into car modelling, there are a couple of decent, but old FUJIMI curbside kits over at Nova Fontana Greenhills -- it's at the Shoppesville Bldg, right on the second floor. I remember posting this on another thread, too. Plus, you might also want to check out the bogus 40-peso priced F15-C kit I saw at Regina's, at Shoppesville too. Hehe! I'm sure that won't hurt.
4-Eyes71
Member Since: December 02, 2003
entire network: 424 Posts
KitMaker Network: 376 Posts
Posted: Monday, January 26, 2004 - 01:17 PM UTC
Quoted Text
If you happen to see the Korean?? owner of any STC branches (mostly seen him at STC Filinvest), he has knowledge over some of the items.
Korean? I didn't know Winston Chua is Korean LOL. He may own a chain of STC (+Hobbitoi) stores all over the Meropolis, but he is mainly based in the central branch at Sta. Cruz, Manila at the Tetuan Shopping Mart (ground floor). I know this because our martial arts gym is located right above his shop. So if you wanna see The Man, just go to the Sta. Cruz branch.
shonen_red
Member Since: February 20, 2003
entire network: 5,762 Posts
KitMaker Network: 2,610 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 12:24 AM UTC
Actually, that shop owner introduce me to the real modeling. Once I bought a Gundam kit, he then recommend me to buy Gundam Markers for detailing. From time to time I buy markers then he told me to get some paint. Now this is modeling! Thanks to him! Hehehehe
cardinal
Member Since: October 05, 2003
entire network: 1,008 Posts
KitMaker Network: 492 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 11:12 AM UTC
The only stores that I used to frequent are Lil's in park square(since I used to work in Makati) & Megamall, STC in Ali Mall & Rustan's in Cubao. BTW, did you guys know that there's an Academy Models plant in EPZA, Rosario, Cavite?
GIBeregovoy
Member Since: May 31, 2002
entire network: 1,612 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,129 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 04:13 PM UTC
Quoted Text
BTW, did you guys know that there's an Academy Models plant in EPZA, Rosario, Cavite?
I smell an "Operation Viking Lord" in the works... (which is a quick raid at the dead of the night to plunder the factory of goodies) #:-)
blitz
Member Since: May 15, 2003
entire network: 502 Posts
KitMaker Network: 432 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 05:37 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextIf you happen to see the Korean?? owner of any STC branches (mostly seen him at STC Filinvest), he has knowledge over some of the items.
Korean? I didn't know Winston Chua is Korean LOL. He may own a chain of STC (+Hobbitoi) stores all over the Meropolis, but he is mainly based in the central branch at Sta. Cruz, Manila at the Tetuan Shopping Mart (ground floor). I know this because our martial arts gym is located right above his shop. So if you wanna see The Man, just go to the Sta. Cruz branch.
To add it all up Winston Chua, was doing business way back 20 years ago. In Sta.Cruz in his father's watch store occupying just a small space.. Some modelers though doesn't agree with Winston's prices but somehow he expanded his business, which you know as STC.
let's go over his branches
Main Branch: Sta.Cruz & a branch in Isetann Recto(old Cinerama)
Cubao: Ali Mall and Rustan's(yata)
Quezon City: SM West
Greenhills: Virra Mall
Paranaque: Filinvest and Alabang Town Center (tama ba?)
lonewolf
Member Since: December 06, 2002
entire network: 478 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 05:46 PM UTC
Quoted Text
LILS Parksquare has got to have the ladyiest and worst sales staff, ever around. Except for the head saleslady who is really in the know with regards to her craft -- mapa RC man, o Static model, she can pretty much have you know what to get.
Dun din sa STC Festival Mall...One of the worst sales staff (in my opinion...)
Some of them do not even know their own merchandise....One time, bumili ako ng enamel thinner ng Tamiya, when I asked for one, wla daw...Out of stock daw...(but it was on their shelf...) Kinailangan ko pang ituro....
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