Springfield: Hip, Spanish urban wear

Since its launch in 1998, the Spanish menswear brand Springfield has offered hip, urban casual fashion for males of all ages. Somebody must have picked up on its fun and cool look, because Store Specialists Inc. brought Springfield to the Philippines in 2003. On its racks, you’ll find bold colors, like the classic polo shirts and bright sweaters, as well as hip urban wear with a more "revolutionary" look. Shades of beige, gray and khaki green keep the gear real. Check out the knapsacks and small messenger bags (perfect for an MP3 player, or a paperback copy of On The Road) done in worn-fabric with a tell-tale "underground" red star. They go great with the unstructured jackets and windbreakers. Drawstring cargo pants and theme tees are another fun look for the chilled-out Pinoy male.

Appealing to the 18- to 35-year-old market, Springfield does offer business attire in its other outlets, such as Rustan’s; but the BHS branch is all about cool clothes for the adventurous youth. Layer your look with colorful wool scarves, hip belts, and "message" T-shirts. Set yourself up with a funky knit cap, a pair of khaki shorts, and some felt-fabric sneakers: you’ll find everything the fashionable festival-going youth (or even his dad) could need.

Figaro: Dedicated to local coffee growers-and lovers

With all the imported boutique coffee brands now available to the Filipino customer, it’s good to have a local, forward-thinking survivor like Figaro. Since 1993, Figaro Coffee Company president and co-founder Pacita Juan has spread the word about Batangas- and Cavite-grown beans, and can now boast 56 branches nationwide, including its first in Cebu and an outlet in Baguio.

The BHS branch is already buzzing, attracting customers with its warm décor — a full-blown sepia shot of the trademark Figaro cappuccino swirl. Says Alfredo Wensceslao, managing director of the branch, with all the other coffee shops sprinkling the strip, Figaro chiefly appeals to business executives and clients from neighboring offices who want a relaxing spot to meet and discuss the stock market. Or engage in some friendly wagering: "Sometimes, customers like to bet on whether they can finish the cappuccino without disturbing the swirl." Wensceslao notes that, even with all the Johnny-come-lately cafés, Figaro sees a big potential market: "A lot of people are not used to specialty coffee, so it’s still an untapped market." Figaro does well with its flavored coffees and delicious summer confections like the Figaro Frost, but it’s their basic beans, all locally sourced and handpicked, that stack up well against foreign imports. Figaro has long offered technical support and partnership opportunities for local growers (through The Figaro Foundation). With more consumers taking home specialty coffee for their kitchen coffeemakers, Classico and Barako are Figaro’s best-selling beans. And BHS is another address to remember for your Figaro needs.

Crumpler: Bags of every shape, size and purpose

You’ve got to love an Australian company that chooses as its motto, "You bring the beer, we bring the bag." Since Stuart Crumpler, a former bike courier and Australian furniture designer, began making his own messenger bags and teamed up with Dave Roper and Will Miller back in 1995, Crumpler has become a wildly popular and unconventional bag company. They don’t just make bags: they make fun bags. With vibrant colors, unique logos and innovative designs (the laptop bags have removable compartments to keep everything upright and perfectly in order), Crumpler takes the science of bag-making to the max. (All are water-resistant, Velcro-friendly, and employ durable straps made from the same material as car safety belts.) Not cheap, Crumpler bags are the perfect accessory for someone who wants something beyond "just another bag."

Brought to the Philippines by Digits Trading president Charles Paw (who also sells the bags at Digital Walker in SM Mall of Asia), Crumpler at BHS expands the line to include knapsacks, camera bags, and super-cool laptop pouches with more extra space for gadgets than your current hard drive can hold. High on functionality, they carry bags in all sizes — from large messenger sacks down to cellphone, MP3 player and iPod pouches, as well as cool-looking wallets. Long devoted to fun and innovative marketing, for one US promo, Crumpler offered its products in exchange for beer. Chances are you won’t get a bag at High Street for a San Miguel, but it never hurts to try.

Timezone: More bang! More blast!

There’s something about entering Timezone that completely shuts out the rest of the world. It could be the cacophony of video arcade sounds — the zings and zips, the racecar revs, rifle cracks and sword swooshes. Or it could be the colorful explosion of play opportunities: all the latest games and virtual reality environments that your reality-overdosed mind can handle.

And we understand kids love the place, too.

Now with a galaxy of new gaming choices — including the wits-sharpening "Super Trivia," the exclusive "Lord of the Rings Pinball" machine, the ultra-violent "House of the Dead 4" (blasting zombies has never been this much fun!) and the ever-popular "Music Zone" private karaoke booth, Timezone has just what the inner kid in you has been crying out for: games, games, and more games. Try the old-school fun of Air Hockey, Skee-Ball or Bowling; or get with the latest thrills by picking up a samurai blade and mowing down skeleton demons with a "lightbringer" as you play "Mazan: Flash of the Blade." Purchase Timezone swipe cards (each with P500 credit) to keep the fun going.

The BHS Timezone branch is big and banging, filled with diversions that will appeal to every game-crazed kid in town, as well as the local, more mature shop strollers who just might find there’s plenty of fun inside to fill an hour or two.