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| The Magallanes Vendors |
The Magallanes Vendors were the first and the most well known Cebu Petshop consisting of chain of Vendors on Magallanes Street, just a stone throw away from one of the famous landmarks of Cebu, the Magellan's Cross. These vendors started selling freshwater fishes since the 80's. I remember they were using only "garapons" or used bottles from sandwich spreads with majority of their merchandise consisting of sturdy fishes that can survive without an aid of an air pump as well as live bearers. Those fishes in particular were mollies, swordtails, fighting fishes, angel fishes and the common carp which is now famously called "Koi".
Their merchandise has evolved since the early 2000 when they started using aquariums and air pumps adding variety of freshwater fishes for sale. You cannot find any business permits. So, other small business enthusiasts came along and put up their stalls adding competition among the vendors as well as variety of merchandise like saltwater fishes and other pets such as iguanas, turtles, birds, puppies, snakes, crabs, scorpions, tarantulas and puppies.
Like it or not, the place became a haven for pet enthusiasts in Cebu and a rise to an industry. The presence of the Magallanes Vendors paves way to other small business vendors on food, plants and other stores in the vicinity.
If you are a starter pet enthusiast with a limited budget, this would be the recommended place for you since prices are way below other licensed Pet shops in Cebu. The variety of pets will also add to the plus factor. However, the catch is that their merchandise pets are not handled with proper care and medication. You can buy a freshwater fish which looks so alive and suddenly dies after a few days and worse, some of their pets carry parasites which could infest your tank or pond at home. I have personally experienced buying several guppies which infested my whole aquarium tank and after a few gruesome weeks, I witness annihilation. All my 150+ guppies including a hundred fries and other scores of freshwater fishes had vanished day after day. After the experience, I had done some researched and became knowledgeable to have a watchful eye about common parasites and disease among freshwater fishes. I went back on the place and check it out, and was stunned to see that nearly all aquariums on their stall had a fish with parasites and diseases. This is not a discouragement for you on going to the place but only a precaution. There are a handful of good quality pets; however, a watchful eye is necessary.
If you want to know where the place is located, take a look at the map below:
Our review below is based on our judgement from personal experience on the place. It is subjective and may be open to disputes and discussion. Please feel free to comment.
| Criteria | Definition | Rating | Conclusion |
| Variety of Pets | The Kinds of Pets available on store | 10/10 | Best |
| Price of Pets | The affordability of the pets for the public | 10/10 | Best |
| Quality of Pets | The health and overall features of pets on store | 1/10 | Worse |
| Customer Service | How they satisfy customer before and after purchase of pets | 6/10 | Fair |
| Pet Supplies and Accessories | The variety and price of pet supplies and accessories available on store | 4/10 | Bad |
| Pet Handling | How the pets are treated while in stock | 1/10 | Worse |
Legend: 1-2: Worse; 3-4:Bad; 5-6:Fair; 7-8:Good; 9-10:Best Average Score: 5.3
Critique Notes: If you have an existing tank at home, I do not recommend you buying this place since more likely, your fishes will be infested. If you know how to treat common freshwater fish diseases, it's your call.
What's Unique and Nice on this Place: The place is abundant on the variety of pets at a very low price.
