The International Bazaar Foundation (IBF) chaired by Mrs. Susana V. Ople is all set to hold its yearly International Bazaar on October 19 at the World Trade Center on Roxas Boulevard, from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

Judging by the bazaar’s great success last year, Mrs. Ople said that the 2003 International Bazaar promises to be another hit with early pre-Christmas shoppers.

Thirty-eight foreign embassies and eight honorary consulates will participate in the much-awaited bazaar where the chief products of their respective countries and top quality goods of some 160 local traders will be on sale at bargain prices.

“Shop and share for charity,” is the IBF’s appeal to shoppers, which is very apt since proceeds from the bazaar will go to humanitarian causes for the poor, such as scholarships, medical help to hospitals and clinics, livelihood projects, skills training and assistance to charitable institutions.

The IBF is maintaining a total of 109 scholars, enrolled in both academic and technological schools.

The bazaar is organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Diplomatic and Consular Corps and the Cabinet Ladies.  The IBF is largely supported by generous and civic-spirited patrons, as well as from the sales of entrance and raffle tickets priced at P50 and P25 each, respectively.

Among the major raffle prizes this year are paintings by well known Filipino artists Mauro Malang Santos, Manny Baldemor, Cee Cadid, Jimmy Vista and Ambassador Ralph Gonzales; round trip tickets to Hong Kong donated by Philippine Air Lines, to Seoul by Korean and Asiana Air Lines, to Singapore by Singapore Air Lines, and 50 per cent discounted business class tickets for two to the US, Canada and Japan by Japan Air Lines; TV set, refrigerator and computer set; gift certificates from SM and Italiani’s Restaurant; Swiss watches for ladies and men; overnight stay at Manila Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Makati Shangrila, Hotel Intercon, The Peninsula and Aloha Hotel; dinner for two at Sugi Restaurant, Via Mare and Hyatt Regency and Diamond Hotel; silk scarves and jewelry boxes; four set meals at Century Park Hotel; one-year subscriptions to Philippine Star, Malaya and The Philippine Tatler; and many more.

The raffle draw has been set for 07 November from 3:00-6:00 p. m. at the DFA Auditorium, DFA Building along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Raffle ticket holders need not attend the draw.

The participating embassies are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, European Commission, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and Vietnam; while the consulates taking part are Togo, Monaco, Belize-Cebu, Guatemala, Uruguay, Oman, Jamaica and Lebanon.

Net World Hotel is giving two executive rooms for use of the IBF Secretariat and CITEM on 18 October, eve of the bazaar.  END.