Huge discounts on school supplies await you on these legacy paper shops in Binondo

Affordable back-to-school shopping in Manila’s historic district.

You don’t need to squeeze yourself in a human vortex in Divisoria to enjoy great discounts on school supplies. For a quick cross over an estero and short walk from Tutuban, you will arrive in rows of legacy paper shops running along Juan Luna Street and Quintin Paredes Street (formerly Calle Rosario) in Binondo.

The streets that radiate from the Binondo Church towards San Nicolas are home to the city’s oldest paper importers, printing presses, and wholesale packaging distributors. 

Here you will find industrial and commercial establishments that have supplied the country for decades with shops like Cosmos Bazar, operating since 1926, and Times Trading Co., operating since 1945, along the Quintin Paredes stretch. There is Keng Hua Paper Products on Nueva Street, which is the absolute go-to for commercial papers, newsprint, and mimeograph paper. Meanwhile, you will find the iconic Veco Paper Corporation in Plaza Cervantes. 

Expect to pay 30 to 40 percent cheaper for generic school papers such as intermediate pad paper, grade-school writing pads, manila paper, and multi-pack spiral notebooks if you buy in 5 or 10 packs.

For branded pens the likes of Pilot G-Tec, HBW, or Dong-A, save 15% to 25% here compared with mall prices if you purchase by box (12 pieces).

Time stops a little in here, and if you choose to buy your school and office stuff in this neighborhood, you will be rewarded with a momentary time travel to post-war Binondo and Escolta buildings with some great Chinese street food.

If you are into craft paper and journaling, there are few shops here that sell related products.

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