Shoppers flock to Divisoria to buy gifts, Noche Buena items on final payday before Christmas

The Christmas spirit is in full swing! 

According to Mariz Umali's report on "24 Oras," Monday, shoppers flocked to Divisoria in Manila on the final payday before Christmas to do some last-minute shopping for gifts and Noche Buena staples. 

Teacher Vetrice Whiteside and her husband went shopping for their children, noting they want to make Christmas special for them. 

"Mas priority talaga 'yung kids kasi 'di ba Christmas is for kids talaga, gusto namin sila bagyan ng memory na kapag Christmas, special," said Vetrice. 

Business owners like Donna Alcañeses and Rose Anne Perito, for their part, bought clothes and children's toys during their trip to Divisoria. 

According to the vendors in Divisoria, other popular items on sale are stick-on nails, notebooks, bags, trinkets, mugs, tumblers, toy swords, and toy cars. 

"'Yung mga bata mahilig sa mga bagong damit, 'pag meron silang bagong damit, parang masaya na sila pero 'yung iba, laruan," said Thess Sambile, a store owner. 

In one grocery store, shoppers focused on buying items for their Noche Buena and Christmas parties. 

"Tingnan natin 'yung bright side, hindi puro problema dapat, syempre para masaya naman kahit papaano. 'Pag puro problema, stress lang 'yan, pagdating ng New Year dapat masaya tayo," said shopper Paul Carmona, who has relatives arriving from Isabela province for the holidays. 

Another shopper, Lilian Ramirez, had noted that prices may increase as Christmas draws closer. 

"At the same time, 'yung bulk [ng] bibili, syempre mahaba na 'yung pila," she added. 

Per Umali's report, crowds continued to arrive in Divisoria on Monday night to do their Christmas shopping. Stores in the area are also expected to be open 24 hours this festive season. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News