THOUSANDS PACK 2003 INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR

Packed crowds of shoppers, full parking and sold-out booths marked this year’s International Bazaar as thousands trooped to the World Trade Center along Roxas Boulevard last Sunday to do their pre-Christmas shopping at this yearly event organized and sponsored by the International Bazaar Foundation, Inc. (IBF).

IBF Chairperson Mrs. Susana V. Ople informed media that last Sunday’s turnout of shoppers exceeded that of last year’s successful International Bazaar.  Booths featuring products from different countries represented by their embassies and consulates were emptied of their wares long before the sale closed at 5:00 PM.

The International Bazaar is organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, and the Cabinet Ladies.  Traditionally, the Foundation is chaired by the wife of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

“With the International Bazaar, shoppers not only get their money’s worth buying goods at bargain prices, but also contribute to a humanitarian cause,” Mrs. Ople said.

This year’s Bazaar aims to support institutions that help the elderly and build classrooms in the most marginalized Barangays, while maintaining the scholarship and livelihood programs of the Foundation.  The IBF is currently supporting a total of 109 scholars enrolled at various academic and vocational institutions.

“In behalf of the IBF, I wish to express our thanks to the Diplomatic Corps, the generous donors, DFA staff volunteers and other civic-spirited supporters who were responsible for the Bazaar’s huge success,” the IBF Chair said.

Mrs. Ople also thanked advertisers that sponsored the IBF souvenir magazine and donors of raffle prizes.  Raffle prizes include works by noted Filipino painters Mauro Malang Santos, Manny Baldemor, Cee Cadid, Jimmy Vista and Ralph Gonzales; appliances, which include a computer, TV set, refrigerator, and stereo component; airplane tickets to foreign destinations, Swiss watches, gift certificates and many more.

Mrs. Ople informs that the public can still avail of raffle tickets for a very low price at the IBF Secretariat, 6^th Floor, DFA Building.  The raffle draw is set for 07 November at the DFA Auditorium.  Ticket holders need not be physically present during the draw to win their prize and raffle winners can claim their prizes also at the IBF Secretariat.  END.