22nd Noel Bazaar welcomes shoppers in Paranaque City, pre-loved items of Kapuso stars now available

The 22nd year of Noel Bazaar has finally opened at Okada Manila in Parañaque City!

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras,” Friday, a portion of the yearly Christmas bazaar’s income will go to charities, including GMA Kapuso Foundation’s initiatives, which also received a special contribution from the late Mike Enriquez’s legacy fund.

“Nakapag-shopping ka na, nakatulong ka pa sa kapwa. Kaya parati ko nalang sinasabi na kung mamimili ka na rin lang, at syempre tayong lahat mamimili ‘no, dito ka na mamili para sa ganun, eh biyayaan ka pa ng Panginoon. Bakit? Dahil tutulong ka pa sa kapwa,” GMA Kapuso Foundation Ambassador and Special Adviser Mel Tiangco said.

[You've already shopped and helped others at the same time. That's why I always say that if you're going to shop anyway, and of course, all of us will shop, might as well shop here because in doing so, you'll be blessed by the Lord. Why? Because you'll also be helping others.]

In a span of over two decades of partnership, GMA Kapuso Foundation has built 422 classrooms and eight bridges in different parts of the country.

Even though he's no longer with us, Mike Enriquez still made a special contribution to the ongoing bazaar.

“For forty days until the 40th day of Mike, we opened all of our donation portals for the Mike Enriquez Legacy Fund. And together with the proceeds from Noel Bazaar, ito ang gagawin namin na funding for the schools and the bridge that we’re going to make next year,” GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog said.

[For forty days, until Mike's 40th day, we opened all our donation channels for the Mike Enriquez Legacy Fund. Along with the proceeds from the Noel Bazaar, this will be our funding for the schools and the bridge that we're planning to build next year.]

Noel Bazaar is brimming with Christmas gifting items and also features a diverse array of snacks and meals at its food stalls.

On its opening day, many shoppers made their way to the GMA Celebrity Ukay-Ukay, where donated items from Kapuso stars are available.

“Napakasarap po kasi talaga sa feeling para sa atin ding mga Pilipino kasi especially ‘di ba, magpapasko, kailangan nating mag-Christmas shopping, pero nakakatuwa din po kasi because of Noel Bazaar, we’re still able to help,” Julie Anne San Jose said.

[It's really delightful for us Filipinos because especially it's Christmas time, and we need to do Christmas shopping. But it's also heartwarming because of the Noel Bazaar, we're still able to help.]

Aside from Julie Anne’s clothes, the GMA Celebrity Ukay-Ukay also offers items from Winwyn Marquez, Richard Yap, Mel Tiangco, Emil Sumangil, Iya Villania, and Kim Atienza.

“‘Yung mga sinuot nila sa mga teleserye at ‘yung mga kanilang personal na mga ginamit talagang idino-donate nila, minsang ginagamit lamang, hindi na ginagamit ulit, mga sapatos, mga damit, mga accessories, narito po matatagpuan sa Noel Bazaar,” Mel said.

[The clothes they wore in the teleseryes and their personal items, they really donate them, sometimes only used once, not used again—shoes, clothes, accessories—you can find them here at the Noel Bazaar.]

GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Celebrity Ukay-Ukay is open on November 10-12, 18, 19, and December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17.

For those who want to take part in GMA Kapuso Foundation’s initiatives, you may send your donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Carby Basina/CACM, GMA Integrated News