The bazaar is a treasure trove of purposeful holiday gifts.
Philanthropists Bea Zobel Jr. and Sofia Zobel-Elizalde have been making a consistent case for local gifts, great food, live performances, and community spirit with the annual Designers’ Holiday Bazaar rooted in giving back to the causes close to their hearts.
Eleven years ago, Bea Zobel Jr. launched the Pinoy pride-centric affair at Greenbelt 5 with a handful of friends, designers, and creatives. Joined by Steps Dance Studio founder Sofia Elizalde in support of the Steps Scholarship program, the event has since grown remarkably, even adapting to a digital and QR-based format during the pandemic.
As restrictions eased, the celebration returned to its face-to-face mode, moving to a bigger venue, with weekend scheduled performances helping usher in the holiday spirit.
This year, over 72 handpicked exhibitors from fashion, home, lifestyle and food converged at the Glorietta Activity Center, Ayala Center, Makati, for the bazaar that ran until December 1, 2024.
With proceeds from sales benefiting scholars of APEC Schools through the Ayala Foundation and dancers under Steps Scholarship Foundation, the lively showcase remains one of the city’s anticipated soirees, bringing people, craftsmanship, creativity, and causes together in a convenient and comfortable location. One visit is never enough.
APEC Schools, a subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, provides quality and affordable private education to Filipino youth in preparation for college or immediate employment, where deserving scholars are chosen based on academic achievement and necessity.
Both siblings are hands-on with the organization while maintaining supportive ties with their participants, most especially the beneficiaries themselves, constantly affirming the impact this festive non-profit initiative has had in affecting the lives of economically disadvantaged families and communities. It is with a sense of connectedness—especially with those who have much less—that is important for these advocates of culture and art, opening doors to possibilities for others.
One of this year’s heartwarming participants is Pawssion Project, a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and reforming of abused and neglected animals. It is an advocacy dear to the siblings and Ayala Malls. With shelters in Bacolod and Bulacan, it is hard not to be drawn to adorable puppy eyes, delightful yelps or the transformation of mistreated animals who now have a second lease on life, with some even finding a new home during the bazaar. (Here’s to a new family member during the holidays!)
Social enterprise Kanya has a wistfully rustic eco-friendly line using artisanal technology and techniques transforming sugarcane residue into chic bags and home linens, providing livelihood and opportunities for sugarcane farming communities in different parts of the country.
Milo Naval turns discarded seashells into alluring and organic Christmas lanterns, glowing with a soft festive warmth for the benefit of seaside communities in Sorsogon.
Long-standing Mindanao-based line Tnalak Home celebrates age-old woven craft and traditions from indigenous communities, providing sustainable livelihood for their respective communities.
The senses must travel and indeed they did at the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar. There were tasteful and timeless separates informed by contemporary living from Techie Hagedorn, covetable taxidermy-like butterfly domes and colonial crosses from Mabolo, revitalized Filipino formals from Vara Label, and flamboyant pieces from PamPinay.
There were also easy resort-inspired lounging proposals from Cult Loom, bold talisman-like jewelry from J. Makitalo, intriguing highland and tribal objects from Gamal de Galleria, and stylish basketry from Bicol.
Foodies were also in for a treat with sweet temptations from Auro Chocolates, freshly cooked piaya from Silay-based El Ideal, and creations by chefs Heny Sison and Rhea Castro-Sycip of Tagaytay-based Flourpot.
All these exhibitors form the joyful company that made the bazaar truly merry and bright!
