Manila (1 December) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made a surprised visit today to a Manila public market to buy some household items as if to demonstrate that it is now business as usual in Manila after the brief Makati Hotel standoff two days ago.

"The situation in the nation is calm and secure. The curfew has been lifted and the people are going about their business as usual. The city, and indeed the entire nation, is functioning normally," the President earlier said in a statement.

The President this afternoon huddled with the stall owners and sidewalk vendors of the Paco public market in Barangay 673, Zone 71, District 5 of Manila like ordinary public market goers who do the routine for their families.

As the President toured the market, she exchanged pleasantries, shook hands and had photo opportunities with the vendors who were visibly elated over her visit to their public market.

She was the second leader of the country who had visited the market. Former President Fidel V. Ramos first visited it during his term.

The Chief Executive even engaged in shopping spree when she bought two dozens of table plates, bowls, sets of glasses, five bathroom brushes and other household items worth P3,150.

"Magkano ba ang mga ito? Matagal na ba kayong nagtitinda? Masaya naman ako at maayos ang hanapbuhay ninyo," she told a vendor.

She expressed elation to discover that the prices of household dinnerware sets had remained affordable to the common people.