IT’s a rare person who can resist the lure of a bazaar, especially one so popular people would apparently brave weekend traffic to get to it.
I have to say I’m not such a rarity.
Now on its 15th year, the Noel Bazaar has grown from a seasonal charity event into one of the most anticipated shopping extravaganzas of the year.
If you still have a long ways to go on your Christmas shopping list, this bazaar will put you on the right track, enough so that you’ll see the end of that list in sight.
Organized annually by GMA Network for its Kapuso Foundation, the Noel Bazaar brings together thousands of small and medium retailers under one roof, offering anything and everything that would fit anyone on your list.
This year the bazaar comes in three installments. The first one was held in October at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang, drawing in the southern shoppers in droves. The second was held from November 26 to 30 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City—a four-day affair that I, together with probably half of Metro Manila, decided to check out.
The third will be from December 18 to 20 at the SMX Convention Center. This is a last-ditch effort for those who: a) were too lazy to shop early; b) have a few stragglers on their Christmas list that they forgot about; and c) want to make a last sweep of the bazaar and pick up some “just-in-case” items for the inevitable “plus-ones” that are sure to show up.
YOU, ME AND THE REST OF HUMANITY
Because it was along Roxas Boulevard (far enough from SM Mall of Asia), we thought the bazaar would offer a less frenzied alternative to the retail hubs along Ortigas and Makati City. We were wrong.
Armed with their bonuses, their Christmas lists and their smartphones (for selfies, obviously), shoppers trooped to the World Trade Center and enjoyed four days of unfettered retail therapy (though I suspect some of them came for the airconditioning and the possibility of a celebrity sighting.)
Having seen what the bazaar had to offer though, I was not surprised. This was Christmas shopping mecca, with offerings that ranged from the cute to the sophisticated, and every imaginable bauble in between.
You want Minion earrings? They had Minion earrings. They’ll throw in Minion purses to boot. You want makeup? They offered eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks and mascara galore (some for the price of P100). Korean makeup too.
If you like art, there were sculptures and paintings on sale (averaging P2,500 per canvas), as well as local prints that would go on any wall.
Orchids and succulents? Check. Computer paraphernalia? Check. Christmas trees, ornaments, fake poinsettias? Check, check, and check. They even had booths offering Christmas wrappers for those with a mountain of gifts to wrap.
As for apparel, blouses (which looked made in Bangkok) were priced at P350 or three-for-P1,000. And those strappy wedgies that all those Kpop idols and fashionista bloggers have been wearing these days? They had those too—at P599 a pair.
Leggings came in all manner of design—including shining, shimmering, splendid pairs that I did not have the stomach to check out (but which I suspect went for P150 each).
And then, there were the gifts du jour—colored pencils (P100 and up) and adult coloring books for hipster friends looking to “de-stress” (from P99 up); power banks for social-media fiends who have their cellphones attached at the hip (P100 and above); calendars/organizers for blogger friends who just can’t seem to get their invites straight (three-for-P100); and wrist-heating pads for gamers who just cannot bear to lift their hands from the keyboard (from P120).
I did not see any Swagway hoverboards or drones, though, or maybe I didn’t go deep enough.
There were also mini designer perfume bottles (P80), colorful soaps (P50), and journals/notebooks (P50 to P100)—perfect for officemates/classmates, barkada (if they’re more than five), and Kris Kringle. (Short and smelly? slippery and slimey? The possibilities are endless.)
If you haven’t whittled down your list to manageable levels after a trip to this bazaar, then you probably have way too many people on there. Cut the list. (I say this with love.)
GUILT-FREE SHOPPING
Occupying a corner of the World Trade Center was the Celebrity Ukay-Ukay and Auction, presided over by Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana. If you wanted to indulge in some guilt-free shopping and bring home a piece of celebrity at the same time, this was the place to look.
Not surprisingly, the corner drew many of the shoppers. One of the highlights of the bazaar, the ukay-ukay featured items donated by many of GMA’s stars. The kiosk offered racks brimming with bags, dresses, shirts, accessories and other pre-loved pieces from popular celebrities like Christian Bautista, Dennis Trillo, Betong Sumaya, Joyce Ching, Chariz Solomon, Kevin Santos, Jessa Zaragoza, Eugene Domingo, and, yes, Alden Richards.
GMA News and Public Affairs personalities like Arnold Clavio, Rhea Santos, Susan Enriquez, Suzi Entrata-Abrera, Nelson Canlas, Lhar Santiago, Cesar Apolinario, and Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz also contributed to the treasure trove. Other personalities who also donated to the cause were Cheska Garcia-Kramer, AJ Dee, Alyanna Martinez and Cecile Zamora-Van Straten.
Proceeds from the sale go to the GMA Kapuso Foundation’s various projects that benefit underprivileged kids, including school development, distribution of basic school supplies and, in line with the season of love and giving, special Christmas projects of the foundation.
Mel Tiangco, executive vice pxZCresident and COO of the foundation, praised Carla and Tom’s efforts, saying, “Making a difference in the lives of others takes hard work, perseverance, and a lot of heart. We are grateful for Tom and Carla’s continued generosity, as well as that of our other celebrity donors, because their support has been instrumental in the fulfillment of the foundation’s many projects.”
This is the second time Carla and Tom have sponsored the charitable event. Carla, who is currently busy with various shows and the top-rating prime-time series Because of You, took time out from her busy schedule to sort the pre-owned items, while actively encouraging her fellow celebrities to give to the effort and promoting the auction on social media.
“Always a pleasure to lend a hand. With God’s help, Tom and I will work harder this year so GMA Kapuso Foundation can build more classrooms and more schools,” she later shared on Instagram.
Likewise, Tom, who is currently breaking hearts as the leading man of Marimar, thanked those who supported the cause on his own Instagram account, saying, Napakalaking tulong ang ibinibigay ninyo sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda, maging ang lahat ng mga tinutulungan ng GMA Kapuso Foundation ay nagpapasalamat din sa inyo.”
(For more information on GMA Kapuso Foundation’s various projects, visit www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation.)
Shoppers have another chance to participate in the Celebrity Ukay Ukay from December 18 to 20, when the Noel Bazaar sets up its third and final installment this season at the SMX Convention Center.
This, I await with bated breath. Shall I see you there?
***Tell me what you do on weekends. Drop me a line at theweekendmaven@gmail.com.c
Image credits: Gianna G. Maniego