Because of their proliferation in the past several years, Christmas bazaars have become a dime a dozen. But discerning shoppers know they can always fall back on reliable old-timers, such as the Noel Bazaar.

Now on its 13th year, Noel Bazaar goes south of Manila with 160 carefully selected concessionaires in “Noel Bazaar Swings South,” until Oct. 27, 1-11 p.m., at The Tent, Commerce Avenue and Spectrum Midway, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The nonstock, nonprofit Noel Bazaar will offer home décor, novelty items, fashion apparel and accessories, jewelry, tech gadgets and accessories, kitchenware, toys and others at prices guaranteed 20-70 percent cheaper than those sold at malls.

The Italian brand Ray-Ban, for instance, is offering items at 40- to 70-percent off. Travel luggage and accessories brand Samsonite has its prices at 10- to 20-percent off.

The trendy, lightweight canvas sneakers brand Feiyure, exclusively available at Rustan’s, has a booth that sells items at 20- to 50-percent off. Kim Store, the popular online shop for tech-heads, has an actual store offering Apple, Samsung and other Android gadgets.

“There have been requests in the previous years [for a Noel Bazaar in the South]. The products here cater to the AB market. You’ll find really good bargains and good, export-quality

items here,” said Mayose Bautista, Cut Unlimited president and project director of Noel Bazaar.

An AB clientele, though, does not necessarily mean sky-high prices, Bautista said. This is still, after all, a bazaar, a haunt for bargain-seekers. What people can expect are marked-down prices on authentic, branded items such as Balenciaga, Prada, Chanel, Celine bags, Michael Kors, Jessica Simpson, BCBG, Isaac Mizrahi, ChineseLaundry and Enzo Angiolini shoes—all items starting at P2,000.

Bautista said that many of the imported items come from viajeras, or Filipinos who frequent the US and Europe and buy signature items at outlet stores.

If you’re searching for something more special and unique, local brand Kwintas, owned by gemologist Elizabeth Encarnacion, offers intricately designed pieces made of excavated gold and beads from Mexico, US and the Philippines. Designs are one-of-a-kind, so there is no chance of you running into someone wearing the same thing, Bautista said.

Thailand jewelry brand JK Factory Co. Ltd. is joining Noel Bazaar for the first time, offering 92.5-percent silver-plated jewelry and platinum pieces with blue topaz zircon, starting at P5,000.

Holiday themes

Holiday décor exclusive to the bazaar include such themes as Snowman, Clowns, Candyland, and the classic Belen or Nativity scene.

Home décor and accessories house Kahoyan is selling items such as coffee tables and bed trays, at buy-one, take-one prices. There are ceramic and glass vases, Murano pieces, colorful pillowcases and bed sheets for the home. Pots and pans from Tefal are among the kitchenware.

Novelty toys from Korea and Hong Kong—a flasher in trench coat, for instance—will make fun gift items, Bautista said. Gift items for the big boys include tents and Swiss knives, she added.

“We limit the number of products per category because we look at them (concessionaires) as partners,” said Bautista. “We want them to make money. So everything that you will find here has been carefully edited.”

If you need a break from shopping, there’s Time Out, a corner for young people that offers nail art, cupcake-decorating, bracelet-making (beads), and arts and crafts.

Outside the tent will be 24 food concessionaires from Mercato Centrale, the popular night market at The Fort, Taguig. There will be food from Noel Bazaar, such as Angus tapa shawarma.

Entrance is free Monday to Wednesday. For the rest of the week, gate price is P100.

“Noel Bazaar Swings South” will be back on Dec. 19-22, with about 80-percent new concessionaires.

The bazaar will also have a run at the World Trade Center on Nov. 22-Dec. 1.

Proceeds will benefit the GMA Kapuso Foundation, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Associate Missionaries of Assumption, Noel P. Gozon Memorial Clinic and Sts. Peter and John Parish. Call Cut Unlimited at tel. 6870654 or 6873292; e-mail [email protected]; or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.

PHOTOS BY ARNOLD ALMACEN