Shop Gorgeous Philippine-Made Products For A Cause At This Yearly Holiday Bazaar

The Designers’ Holiday Bazaar is back for its 6th run at the Gallery of Greenbelt 5 from November 15 until December 15.

The yearly holiday bazaar, organized and curated by sisters Bea Zobel Jr. and Sofia Elizalde, offers proudly Philippine-made products ranging from handmade accessories and fine jewelry, to woven bags and embroidered home decor, to scents, stationery, fashion, food and more.

Six years ago, Bea Zobel, along with Tes Pasola, Tony Gonzalez, and a group of artists in El Nido started the bazaar. The objective was to raise funds for children in Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX elementary schools to move up to Ayala Corporation’s APEC high schools.

“Twenty percent of proceeds from the bazaar go to helping children get scholarships for four years while they finish high school,” says Bea. The scholarships include tuition, school uniforms and allowance, and this support is provided until they finish their schooling, for as long as they maintain the scholarship requirements in terms of grades and good character.

Some of the original artists who have been with the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar from the start, such as Ding Perez of Etniko Pilipino, Maricris Brias of Tadeco Home and Kassa’s Karen Santos are still part of the bazaar today. 

Other exhibitors are well-thought-out additions to the bazaar invited over the years. “Many of our exhibitors not only produce beautiful products,” Bea points out. “They also support the livelihoods of different communities, and help to keep their artisan traditions alive. We also help indigenous communities—like the Iraya Mangyan—to sell their wonderful products.”

In the last two runs of the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar, Bea’s sister Sofia invited her own favorite exhibitors to help raise funds for the Steps Scholarship Foundation, which offers dance education and training to deserving students from all walks of life. Steps scholars have enjoyed some truly life-changing opportunities… training and competing both locally and internationally; sharing the stage with famous dancers, artists and performers; earning scholarships abroad, and eventually finding places in dance schools and companies around the world. 

“This bazaar not only features gorgeous Philippine-made products, it also makes a real difference,” says Sofia. “With each item you buy, you are helping to educate a child. Your support can really change lives!” 

The Designers’ Holiday Bazaar will run from November 15 to December 15, 2019 at the Gallery of Greenbelt 5.  For updates and information on this year’s exhibitors and offerings, follow @designersholidaybazaar on Instagram and Facebook.