THE International Bazaar Foundation Inc. (IBF), in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps of the Philippines, and Spouses of the Heads of Mission (SHOM), will hold the International Bazaar 2023 on Sunday, November 19, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Forum Tents 2 and 3 of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
In a press conference, IBF Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo announced that “in this 57th International Bazaar, we celebrate not just numbers—42 participants from the Diplomatic and Consular Corps [and] 31 from our own Philippine Best’s exhibitors—but also the stories, tastes and craftsmanship that each booth will offer.”
Participating countries will include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, United States, and Venezuela.
Proceeds from the bazaar will be handed over to various IBF and SHOM charity projects and programs that aim to uplift marginalized communities and extend learning opportunities to indigent scholars.
Manalo also stated that “beyond the delightful shopping and cultural experiences, the essence of our endeavor goes deeper.”
She added that this year’s theme “Shop Global, Help Local” encapsulates the foundation’s mission: “The funds we raise through this event empower us to touch lives: supporting abused women, homeless individuals, and marginalized communities, offering them not just aid, but hope.”
Arkadiusz Jan Tracz of Hungary represented SHOM at the press conference, where he said that “through this bazaar, we not only bring products from our homelands to the Philippines, but also aim to make the idea of shopping more altruistic, and less ‘self-centric.’ We want every bazaar participant: from the vendors, the organizers, to the buyers, feel like they give someone a chance to live a better life with every peso spent, while they enjoy shopping.”
The International Bazaar, an annual tradition, is one of the most anticipated that usher in the start of Christmas festivities in Metro Manila. It enjoys the participation of the diplomatic community, as well as Philippine product exhibitors.
Established in 1966, the IBF is a nonprofit fundraising institutional foundation. For 57 years, it remains committed to its vision of assisting disadvantaged sectors of the community through its charitable activities, as well as fostering stronger bonds within the diplomatic community in Manila.
