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December 1, 2025 | 12:20pm
MANILA, Philippines — The sisters Bea Zobel Jr. and Sofia Zobel Elizalde continue their philanthropic pursuits through the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar (DHB), which they both founded and curate together.
Now in its 12th year, the non-profit initiative bazaar lets you shop with a purpose — supporting local brands while raising funds for Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) and STEPS foundation scholars.
“We are always on a mission to give back to the Filipino community, and one of the ways we are able to achieve this year after year is the Designers' Holiday Bazaar,” shared Bea Zobel Jr. at the media launch at the Ayala Museum.
“It’s always heartwarming to see both consumers and beneficiaries benefit from DHB. Families take home beautifully crafted products from different regions of the Philippines, while artisans gain greater visibility and scholars receive vital support. It’s quite inspiring, even for us, and it moves us to do better and aim higher every time,” added Zobel Jr.
Presented by GCash and Globe, the DHB runs from November 29 to December 7. With more than 100 brands, shoppers will have a wonderful time choosing from a dizzying mix of fashion, accessories, wellness and personal-care products, curated gift items, and local crafts.
The DHB is spread across The Gallery and Amphitheatre at Greenbelt 5, and at the Main Activity Center and the Palm Drive Activity Center in Glorietta, where there is a special place for artisanal food brands, gourmet treats, local delicacies, baked goods, and seasonal gift baskets.
“There's just something for everyone. I think we dream of a bazaar where anybody can come and find something for themselves and find something for their family, find something as a gift, and find something to really just enjoy in their own home with their families and their co-workers,” said Elizalde. “And, you know, it's just, you know, come to the Design Holiday Bazaar. You'll find what you need. Bottom line. And you'll have fun while doing it.”
Collective effort
“We always believed that passion can take many local talents to great heights when given the right support. More than a marketplace, the DHB is a platform that makes dreams come true, potentials realized, and goals achieved. Every patron gets to be a part of this mission. It’s a collective effort that inevitably makes Christmas shopping more meaningful,” emphasized Elizalde.
According to Elizalde, more students are able to complete their studies (Grade 7 to college), through the Ayala Foundation Inc. x DHB Scholarship. To date, young classical dancers trained under the STEPS Scholarship Foundation have progressed to perform with prestigious companies, such as Ballet Manila, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Alberta Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater.
“Of the scholars, 27 are academic students. But in my dance school, currently, I have about 40 scholars who are going to be benefiting from this bazaar, and then what it goes to is their training. They take the Royal Academy of Dance exams. I really try that with the children who really can't afford, I want to give them equal opportunities to kids who can really afford. So, they take exams,” Elizalde said.
“We use the money to help them compete internationally. And really, the money goes towards supporting their love of dance and the arts. And I'm very proud to say that in the last probably 20 years, I've really been able to give that free education to students,” shared Elizalde. “And many of them are now dancing professionally, locally and abroad. And the bazaar has been a huge help to me because it helps me raise money. And the more money we raise, the more kids I can help to give a free education.”
Mounting something like DHB, which not only showcases Filipino culture but also helps kids who are in need brings fulfillment to the Zobel sisters.
“A lot of pride. Definitely. It's such a good feeling. Amazing. For me, I always say the same thing. I just want to get these kids out of the cycle of poverty and be able to put food on the tables for their parents who have worked so hard for them,” Zobel Jr. shared. “And it's really wonderful. It really, really is a lovely feeling. It really is great that we can do something for our communities.”
