This bazaar will showcase the finest items from different countries together with the Philippines’ best community-based products.

CLOCKWISE from top are Silnag accesories made from scrap materials; wines from Portugal; Jeepney tin can and batik from Indonesia.

It’s a lifelong dream to be able to shop around the world or have its wonders within reach — from the Philippines’ stunning weaves to Switzerland’s great-tasting chocolates and even to Portugal’s fine wines.

The time for possibilities has come, and all the local delicacies from different countries and cultures are right under one roof and all for one cause.

With the theme “Shop the World, Show You Care,” different countries will join forces once more with the Philippines’ best to bring light to their finest local products for the 2019 International Bazaar for a cause to be held on 24 November at the PICC Forums 1, 2 and 3, CCP Complex from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“This bazaar will showcase the finest items from different countries together with the Philippines’ best community-based products,” Maria Lourdes Locsin, chairman of the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF), shared.

The event is organized by the IBF in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic and Consular Corps and the Spouses of the Heads of Mission.

For over five decades, the traditional annual fund-raising event has helped marginalized sectors by generating charitable capital and providing services in the lives of the underprivileged.

In this edition, the chosen beneficiaries are: the 41 scholars in colleges and universities in Metro Manila; the Ayala Foundation that conducts outreach projects in Mindanao Palawan and Mindoro; the HABI textile that restores the traditional Filipino art of inabel or abeliloko; the Pilak Silvercrafts teaching blacksmiths in Baguio, the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Parañaque; Bogo, Cebu Provincial Hospital; the Missionaries of Charity; the Little Sisters of the Poor; the feeding program in Pasay, the Steps Mission Foundation; and the Sayaw Foundation that teaches out-of-school youth ballet.

CLOCKWISE from top are Silnag accesories made from scrap materials; wines from Portugal; Jeepney tin can and batik from Indonesia.

Locsin also expects to raise a lot of funds for this much-awaited event “…because that is what we need. To support our scholars, foundations, for our home-for-the-aged, for our orphans. We will be doing that because at least one of the differences that we have with other bazaars is that it’s (all in) one roof and in one time. It’s like shopping around the world, but we (still) help local.”

“With our (past) beneficiaries, we do a quarterly visit or report. And when we donate, we don’t give it all in one time. We donate every quarter, every six months. It’s really a long-term relationship.

We’re building a relationship (with our merchants and beneficiaries),” Locsin added.

IBF’s bazaar-for-a-cause was first initiated in 1966 by the late Angela Valdes-Ramos. It was first held as a special project of the Ladies of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, other public government agencies and the private sector.

“Considering this international bazaar has been going on for the last 53 years, it goes to show that we’re doing something right and we are doing something good,” Locsin said.

Entrance tickets are sold for P150 and donor cards for P250 and are available at the Tesoros store, 1016 A. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati; 6th floor, Special Projects Unit, Old DFA Bldg., 2330 Roxas Blvd; and at the PICC gate at 24 November. For inquiries, call 833-1320 or send an email at ibf.dfa@gmail.com