It’s something that you don’t buy that many times in your life. It can be a relatively major purchase, albeit not like a house or a car.
I’m talking about a mattress.
Feyma and I have a King Sized bed in the master bedroom. We’ve had it for quite some time. As I recall, I think we bought our bed and mattress sometime around maybe 1994 or so. So, the mattress was about 17 years old or so. It was really a pretty much top-of-the-line mattress. I don’t recall the brand name, but I think it might have been a Sealy, or some other well known brand, and one of the better ones that they sold. But, after 17 years, our mattress was ready for replacement.
Over the past couple of years, Feyma and I had shopped around a bit. Firstly, a King Size mattress in the Philippines is significantly different in dimensions from a US King, which made it difficult to shop for something to fit our bed. Really, our box spring is in fairly good shape still, it really just needs a new mattress. But, as we shopped, we didn’t find anything that fit our needs. We found a few imported mattresses from the US, which were very nice, but very pricey too. In fact, it was like 3 times the price that you would pay back in the States. It costs money to ship a heavy and awkward item like a King mattress here, I suppose.
A few months ago, Feyma and I visited Mandaue Foam. Mandaue is a City in Cebu, and although I am not 100% certain, I would guess that Mandaue Foam’s headquarters is in Mandaue City, Cebu. But, they have shops all around the Philippines, as far as I know. I know for sure that they have shops all around Mindanao and the Visayas. Anyway, we were in Mandaue Foam looking at furniture a few months back, and got looking at some of their memory foam mattresses. We have always had a conventional spring mattress and have never even tried out a foam mattress. Both of us laid down to try out the foam mattress and we found it to be comfortable. The prices were right too.
One of the big pluses, though, was since Mandaue Foam is the manufacturer, as well as the retailer, they can custom make any mattress to the size that you need. So, we gave them the dimensions of our bed and they cranked out a quote on several different grades of a foam mattress for us. I was quite surprised at the price, it was very low.
We did not buy a new mattress immediately, but last week, I told Feyma that I wanted to go purchase one.
We went to Mandaue Foam in Ecoland (just in front of SM City Davao) last Wednesday at about 5pm, not long before closing time. We looked at the foam mattresses, and chose two different ones that we liked and found comfortable. Of course, that means that we chose the two most expensive models, although we didn’t know the price at the time. The two that we chose were the Dr. Pedic Foam Mattress and the Flex Foam Mattress. The Dr. Pedic was the most expensive, and we liked it a lot, so that is the one that we decided to go with.
After talking with the sales person for a while, it was determined that the Dr. Pedic foam was not available at the Davao factory, so they would have to order the foam from Cebu and then make the mattress here. It would add 30 days to the delivery time. We would have to pay 50% up front for a deposit. I was a little worried, because I have experienced other Philippine companies promising something in 30 days, and 6 months later I was still trying to get my product. By paying 50% up front, I just worried that I might be out that money if there were delays, as I expected there would be. When we got this news, both Feyma and I decided to switch to the Flex Foam mattress instead, as we really could not feel a huge difference between the two products anyway.
Since we decided to go with the Flex Foam, which had all materials in stock at the Davao factory, we were promised delivery in 4 days. I was a bit unsure if that would really happen, but if it did, considering that they had to make a special size for us, I considered that a pretty fast delivery. Sure enough, it took exactly 4 days, and the mattress was delivered directly to our home, and set up on our existing bed for us. The sales people at the store and the delivery people were all very nice and courteous too! Well, we did have one salesman at the store that we didn’t really like, but after that we dealt directly with the store manager, and she was very easy to deal with and super friendly too!
The biggest surprise was the price, though. For the Flex Foam mattress, in a US King Size (76 in x 80 in), complete with a custom made quilted mattress cover and including delivery, the total price was like P15,300, or US$355. On our previous mattress, we paid nearly 5 times that price! Of course, the mattress has only been here for a few days now, so the real test will be how long the thing will hold up. But, I am confident that it will hold up well. At that price, even if we only get 4 or 5 years of service from the mattress, I will still consider it a bargain.
So, yeah, I’m gonna sleep on it. I’m gonna sleep on that mattress every night! So far, I’m doing so quite comfortably too!
Hi Bob,
We have been using a Mandaue foam mattress for about 8 years and it is as good or better than any we can find in the United States at any price. I wish we had one for our bed here in PA. I’m quite sure that you will never want to switch; we don’t.
Eating cherries and thinking about you,
Dave & Mez
Hi Dave – I’m glad to hear from you, I assume your trip back home went uneventfully.
After a few nights sleeping on the new foam mattress, I am quite comfortable. The first night I was still adjusting, but now it’s quite nice, and my back feels good!
I had been leery of buying a new mattress in the Philippines, but it turned out to be a great experience!
Enjoy those cherries, Dave!
Bob and Feyma,
I congratulate you on your choice of a foam mattress. I hurt my back at the age of 24, working for General Telephone. I have had an old man’s back ever since. I was working for General Telephone and didn’t want to upset the ‘career’ that I thought that I had there. I didn’t ask for or receive any medical attention. It probably was a good decision, as no doctor had the opportunity to experiment on my my back. I went through a series of personal experiments; ranging from water beds to foam mattresses. The foam mattress was the answer. I have slept on a foam mattress for the past 35 years and have found that this type of mattress is the only type that works for me. I still get a debilitating back ache now and then. Once from only sneezing in my car. But usually it only comes from not being careful of what I do.
Good luck with your new foam mattress! It has worked well for me all of my adult life!
Jade
Hi Jade – I’m glad to hear that the foam mattress helped your back injury. Over the past few years, I have developed a sore back, I suspect because the old mattress was worn out! I can say that after a few nights of sleeping on this new foam mattress, my back is feeling really good! My first night on the foam, I was a bit uncomfortable and had trouble sleeping. Since then, though, it feels great.
Great Bob..Hope the foam works out great..so what did you do with the old king Mat….lets the kids have it and jump up and down on it and get some more use out of it?or send it to the provicence?
Hi Dan – The kids keep telling us how comfortable that mattress is.. so yes.. we put it in their room! 😆
Bob,
Hope you enjoy your mattress. Hope it brings you many sweet dreams of cherries in your belly! LOL!
Ha ha.. good one, Steve! We shall see.
Hi Bob,
While shopping at Ikea a couple years ago, I noticed all their mattresses were foam. Apparently, they don’t do spring mattresses anymore. I guess you’ll just have to get used to it now. Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite (there has been an epidemic of bed bugs up here even in hotels in the past year.)
Alex
Hi Alex – Oh, spring mattresses are still being made, and are readily available. We just opted for the foam this time, though. Actually, I’m already used to it, I’d say! 😉
Thanks for stopping by, Alex.
It’s true though, that Ikea don’t do spring mattresses any more, I noticed that on my last visit.
I misinterpreted what was said. I thought he meant that spring mattresses were no longer made. Now, I understand that it could mean that they are no longer made, or Ikea doesn’t have them anymore! 😆
Hi Bob – A very interesting post and something that concerns everyone from birth to grave as we all need a bed of some description to rest on at the end of the day.
The UK bedding industry I have fond memories of with managing a company before retiring that supplied the majority of them with component parts. I was also fortunate to visit their factories on numerous occasions and view their manufacturing facilities.
How this industry has changed over the years and the last two in particular with the more well known of them Silentnight of which Sealy is part and Myers going through difficult times and being just saved from extinction.
The main reason for the UK’s particular problem has been the acceptance by the market of the new foam type mattresses like the one you have recently purchased as a preference to the former coil sprung mattress that you formerly used.
The old Divan type bed with the storage drawers in their base is fading fast but here in the Philippines they were not at all common.
Most suppliers of mattresses will advise you to replace your mattress every 5 to 8 years or up to 10 years for a high quality one. The one we used in the UK before coming here to live lasted 20 years but was nowhere near silent towards the end of its days when you turned over in your sleep.
Like you here when we came we also bought our mattress from Mandaue Foam in fact we bought all our beds there also. A friend of mine from the UK who has a house in Davao was so impressed with his 12 inch thick foam mattress from Manduae that he bought another and had it shipped to the UK to use there.
All that remains for me to say is I wish you many nights of pleasant dreams or should I say restless nights, not to embarrass you we’ll just hope you both enjoy your new mattress.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim – Thanks for sharing. I found it really amazing that your friend bought an extra foam mattress at Mandaue Foam and sent it to the UK. So far, I must say, I am quite impressed by their products!
Bob: Brought to mind a funny story…
When we first moved here, we visited Rebecca’s uncle in the province, who makes furniture from wood that we would have trouble shipping (Forget the morality… I happens).
In any event, we had just purchased a fairly expensive bedroom set, and Rebecca mentioned that the bed squeaked. Her uncle proceeded to jump and down on one of the beds he built, making moaning sounds.
After about a minute of that, he jumped on the floor and said, “If you bought one of my beds, NO SQUEAKS!” Her aunt then slapped him on his arm and lectured him about proper discussion topics when ladies were present.
Ha ha… good story, John! 😉 Watch out for those squeaky beds!
thats hilarious!!
timely post, bob!
i happened to read your mandaue foam recommendation posted to a prior article a few months back, and promptly got a new mattress from them for my self-made folding bed frame. too bad i didn’t ask you what type of mattress you got, and made the mistake of picking the wrong foam type for my build. long story short, i returned it the other weekend after nearly 2 months of use, and got the full refund early this week. my lower back started swelling from a combination of sleep-related factors, and it seems the new mattress added to the discomfort. the new mattress cost me nearly P4k, while my ongoing massage & ventosa therapies have cost me nearly as much. if i got the top of the line like you did, i’d have skipped the back pain therapy and spent it all on the best foam mattress they have in stock ” )
cheers,
Hi Biz Doc – Hmm.. I don’t recall ever posting any recommendation for Mandaue Foam before this article… but, maybe I just forgot, though. Anyway, I do hope that you were able to get something that better suited your needs! Good luck with your back!
hi bob,
if i remember right, you posted a reply/comment to a guest writer’s article on bringing home stuff over from abroad back in march or may?
in any case i haven’t gotten a new replacement yet. i’m moving to a new place mid-month and will check out other mattress suppliers/models once i get settled.
cheers,
Hmm.. sorry, I just don’t recall that article at all… tigulang na ko, biz! 😉
Great price, you should start exporting to US… On second thought probably not, margins on mattresses in US must be like 500% since people buy one every 10 years or so.
Hi Marcel – I think you are right about that markup!
Yeah, 500% markup is common in the furnishing industry, particularly at the quality end where items can sit in a shop’s stock for a year or more.
Not surprising!
Hi Bob – Sleep all day? Kidding…He he. Everybody needs a comfy bed. Fair price for the bed.. imported ones here in Manila very pricey too esp.. ortho bed.. whatever that is. Well, beds that probably help the back. I guess.
Hi sugar – Sleep all day? I could never do it! Ha ha… I always get up very early! 😉
Hey Bob,
I’ve always wondered about those foam mattress’s. Just how firm are they? From the advertisments I see on the TV, It looks like I would sink right in.
Hi Hudson – That foam mattress is a lot firmer than our old Sealy was! If it will support me, I think you are safe! 😆
Hi Bob,
17yrs,you sure got your monies worth out of that old mattress.I usually get through a decent mattress in about 10yrs.
Never tried a foam one yet,but i’m sure there will be a first time for me in the future.
Regards,
Chas.
Hi chas – Yes, I can’t complain about that lifespan of that mattress! It served us well!
We just have a full size bed and we have a foam factory here in Pili next city over from Naga. when I arrived back to the philippines my wife was using this 2″ mattress for some reason she likes a hard surface to sleep on or something or she was being cheap with the money i was send ing from the states haha. I went to the foam factory and ordered a full size mattress 10″ thick. im not sure what type of foam it is. took 3 days to deliver and 4 months later i still love it. only paid P3,800 for it.
Hi Alan – We like ours too!
I have used these ‘memory’ foam mattresses for around 8 yrs now. I move around quite a lot. The one we had in Saudi Arabia was left there and the one in Kuwait. I accidentally found one in Macau and loved it. The owner of the small store thought it was just normal foam but I knew what it was as soon as I touched it. The best mattress I have had yet. I brought it with me to the Philippines. The cost was 6,000 pesos. Well worth it I thought. Last Xmas we were supposed to be going back to Macau so we gave it away. After Xmas we were back !! Haven’t been able to find one since then so thanks Bob, I know now where to look now.
As for those guys that don’t think foam will give them the support, I was the same. Normal foam probably won’t or certainly will not after a few months. Memory foam is different and if you get the highest density foams they can support almost any weights. I usually go for around a medium to high density. I like the little give when I get in but it holds my shape while I am in it and then returns to it’s normal shape as soon as I get out. Now I’m too close to 100 Kg to be happy about it but these memory foam mattresses have given me the best sleeps I have had all of my life and I would recommend anyone to get one.
Thanks again Bob
Have a good one
Cemlyn
Oh, nice choice of mattress. Mattress is really important for a good night sleep so investing for a high quality mattress is a good ides. Mine is from Pittsburgh mattress store, but I am always interested to know about other comfy mattresses.
I have mixed experiences with Mandaue foam mattreses. They are cheap to buy but after a 10 months use my side of the foam is lower and softer than my wife’s side wich still feels like new. She is 110 and I am over 200. We bought a two composite foam with a foundation and a top coating of memory foam. It was the best they had to offer. By the way I recommend Mandaue Foam on Banilad Road, much better staff than in Hernan Cortez.
Now I want to try a spring mattress instead, like the ones they use in some hotels (Montebello in Mandaue) For me they much better and excuse my french but the play making in the bed is so much better with a spring bed. It is like jumping from a diving-board instead from a concrete pool side. :-))
I’m too close to 100kg to be happy about it and I have used 100% memory foam for a number of years now. I think the fact that you did not have 100% memory foam was the problem. I don’t think it is the memory foam that has sagged but the other layer. As for the ‘play’ reference, I have found the memory foam to add a certain spring!!!
Thank you for the information. I saw the Mindaue Foam “Premium Latex Top Pocket Spring” mattress in KCC Gensan yesterday for P55,000, came online to research alternatives, found this blog, looked on the Mindaue Foam website and see exactly the same mattress for P22,900…….
I will go to their Gensan branch later today to enquire.
Thanks again for the post!
Good luck, Chris.
I noticed a foam mattress at Sam’s Club tonight (before I read the article). It’s packed in a container that looks like a small trash cart. They give information on what to do with the container after opening it. The shell opens into two parts that they suggest as storage drawers under the bed.
I was imagining how expensive it would be to ship the fairly inexpensive mattress…and decided that other options would be wiser.
Hi Byron – I suppose that shipping a mattress is a big expense, unless you are sending over a whole container load like we did. In that case the cost of shipping the mattress adds nothing to the overall cost. But, that is beside the point. There are quality mattresses available here. If you buy an imported one the cost is very high, though, so expect that. The mattress I wrote about in this article is still in use today, and holding up fine. It was locally made and has served us well, at a very reasonable price. It is a King sized mattress and was under $400.
Hi Bob, may I know how much is the bed frame package? Thank you.
Sorry, I don’t have any idea. we brought our bed frame with us from the United States when we move to the Philippines. I never bought one in the Philippines.