Tindahan ni Tarsee: Celebrating the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit

In time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, Daily Tribune's much awaited holiday bazaar, Tindahan ni Tarsee, finally held its first ever physical mall run on the 25 to 27 November. 51 merchants with diverse offers from food, drinks, fashion, house ware, vintage toys to stationery items, from local and international merchants wowed the malling crowd.

Tindahan ni Tarsee's maiden event was in 2020 as part of Daily Tribune's advocacy to support micro, small and medium enterprises at a time when the world was starting to feel the economic impact brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. For two years, Tindahan ni Tarsee became an online selling platform for established and aspiring MSMEs. Now, with protocols eased, holding a physical event where merchants can engage with buyers just became a logical development for the well-loved bazaar.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RIO LEONELLE DELUVIO FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_rio Former Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, wife Alelee Andanar, Ayala Malls Manila Bay marketing manager Jaevin Ann Lazaro, Daily Tribune managing editor Dinah Ventura, Maria Angeles Cusi and son Francis Cusi.

A simple but well-marked opening ceremony was held on Friday afternoon, graced by honored guests Mrs. Maria Angeles Cusi and son Francis, who both represented former Secretary of Energy Alfonso Cusi; and former Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar and wife Alelee; and Jaevyn Ann Lazaro, Marketing Manager of Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

In her opening remarks, Daily Tribune's managing editor Dinah Ventura talked about the importance of community in overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, and how Daily Tribune took up that advocacy by consistently committing itself to the hopes and dreams of Filipino MSMEs.

She also thanked Ayala Malls Manila Bay for offering its spacious venue for free to the 51 merchants to showcase and sell their products. Besides Ayala Malls Manila Bay, she cited event sponsors who made the three-day holiday bazaar possible: PCSO, DOOH, DTI, Home Credit, Angkas, Regroe, Dermclinic, and My Brother's Mustache of Hive Hotel and Convention Center.

Kudos to the first Tindahan ni Tarsee Holiday Bazaar merchants who came from as far as Baguio City, La Union, and Lucena, and from the embassies of Malaysia, Spain and Thailand to ensure that the best of the best from their areas are enjoyed and better appreciated by shoppers.