Filipinos have one of the longest Christmas celebrations in the world, spanning from the start of the Ber-months, until early January, right after the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany. During this time, families gather in countless reunions, leaving one unable to fit in his or her new clothes, which ironically were bought especially for the season.
People send gifts to friends and relatives, draining yearlong savings and bonuses, and, many feast on family recipes of Morcon, Paella and Hamonado. “Da best ang Pasko sa Pilipinas,” the organizers of the 11th World Bazaar Festival could not have phrased it any better.
Worldbex Services International, the leading exhibition and event organizer in the country, has been bringing the grandest Christmas bazaars to Filipinos for the past 11 years. From Dec. 2 to 18, 2011, anyone and everyone who wishes to complete his or her Christmas list or who simply has a knack for finding the best buys can drop by the World Trade Center along Buendia.
Handcrafted and personalized Christmas decors immediately welcome the patrons, as they enter the doors of the World Trade Center. Coming into the actual hall, where over 600 stalls offering different products such as clothes, accessories, electronics and food await the patrons, one would feel the urge to guiltlessly empty the contents of his or her wallet. Who could blame them? The different commodities sold are priced similarly to products in Greenhills or Tiendesitas – one could buy a complete wardrobe, shoes and accessories included, for only P1200, more or less.
More than the low prices and great selection of commodities, the bazaar organizers made sure that the products that will be offered to patrons are of good quality. Bazaar organizers screened all the exhibitioners’ products before the event, assuring that all customers will only get world-class products from the best traders. From imported over runs and well-made clothes, inspired by Topshop, Forever 21 and Zara, to factory-priced sweet nothings and snacks, the 11th World Bazaar Festival is a good place to start to feel that holiday euphoria.
Happiness continues even though one has exhausted all of his or her Christmas budget in exchange for bags-full of clothes, trinkets and goodies. Proceeds of this year’s World Bazaar Festival will go to the ABS-CBN Foundation. This is what Christmas is all about – giving back to our less-fortunate brothers and sisters. Regardless of the amount one spends in the bazaar, or whether he or she over-shopped, if the end-point is giving back, every peso spent is worth it.
It is also more convenient for bazaar patrons to come to the 11th World Bazaar Festival since it is air-conditioned, the stalls are organized and the crowd is properly controlled. Located at the heart of the Metro, patrons from both the North and the South have easy access to the World Bazaar Festival.
That Lasallian feel
Who would have known that the person behind the 11th World Bazaar Festival is a Lasallian alumnus? JR Ang (ACM ’10) is the Marketing Director of Worldbex Services International; he spearheaded the logistics and is hands-on with the daily operations of this year’s charity bazaar in the Metro.
As the son of the CEO of Worldbex Services International, it is more difficult for JR to prove his capability to lead the company. “You should always be in the know in terms of details, into the technicals, marketing, stage design, etc,” he shares, as this is his way to make sure that his efforts and hardwork are not undermined by his colleagues. He adds that it is also important to create relationships with the people he works with, and to know when to ask for help.
JR elaborates that his Lasallian education contributed to his achievements as the Marketing Director of Worldbex Services International. “[My course] trained me to deal with a lot of people, from finance, PR and marketing, and it equipped me to be ready for events like this. La Salle also helped me to get connected with friends who own businesses, and are now participants of our events,” JR ends.
Before the bazaar was formally opened to the public, a short program was prepared to welcome distinguished guests and patrons. Department of Tourism Undersecretary Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin, ABS-CBN stars such as Gladys Reyes and Rica Peralejo, ABS-CBN big boss Linggit Tan, and Pasay City First Lady Edna Calixto were some of the invited guests.
