BEA ZOBEL JR. & SOFIA ZOBEL-ELIZALDE CURATE BAZAAR TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
The Designers’ Holiday Bazaar returns to Greenbelt 5 on Nov. 15 to offer shoppers another stunning showcase of local craftsmanship and creativity. The bazaar features Philippine-made products — ranging from handmade accessories and fine jewelry, to woven bags and embroidered home decor, to scents, stationery, fashion, food — from a carefully curated lineup of exhibitors personally invited by sisters Bea Zobel Jr. and Sofia Zobel-Elizalde.
The bazaar was originally started by Bea six years ago to raise funds for children in Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX elementary schools to move up to Ayala Corporation’s APEC high schools. She, together with Tes Pasola and Tony Gonzales, asked a group of Filipino artists (who were then helping them form an artists village in El Nido) to also help organize the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar. Several of the original artists who started the project are still part of the bazaar today.
“Twenty percent of proceeds from the bazaar go to helping children get scholarships for four years while they finish high school,” says Bea. The scholarships include tuition, school uniforms and allowance, and this support is provided until they finish their schooling, for as long as they maintain the scholarship requirements in terms of grades and good character. “There are many factors that go into choosing the scholars, but I normally will try to help kids who have been orphaned, or those brought up by single mothers.”
One of the APEC scholars, 15-year-old Jhay Cee, recounts, “Before the scholarship was granted to me, as an alternative way to find a source of money, I tried to work as a tutor. I was teaching my younger cousins after every class. I earned P100 for two to three hours, and I always gave it to my mom. I used to teach other children and earn more. I realized that I wanted to be a teacher and, at the same time, an engineer. When I got the opportunity to be one of the scholars, my mother asked me to stop working and focus on my studies. I have been studying in APEC Schools for more than two years and I know that I have improved and changed a lot… Because of this scholarship, I know that there is a huge possibility that I can fulfill my dreams.”
Another scholar, Lee Aya from Balut, Tondo, had no idea how she would continue on to high school after graduating from CENTEX Manila, as both her parents had no work. “We already had a hard time during my elementary years so what more if (the opportunity to study in) high school comes, right? My parents were even thinking of making me stop attending school. But then an angel came — I was told that someone is willing to grant me a scholarship. And who am I to say no?”
Lee Aya started at APEC in 2017 and says that the scholarship motivated her to achieve her dreams. “I want to study hard and pay back all the hardships and efforts given to me,” she says, adding she has already become a better version of herself. “I was able to do the things I never thought I can do. For the past three years, I am consistently part of the Student Council. I guess what makes me continue is my willingness and the fire within my heart to serve. I want to serve my fellow students.”
The current batch of scholars is spread out across APEC schools from Tondo to Lipa, enjoying the benefits of quality private education thanks to the generosity of the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar’s exhibitors and supporters. Their goals vary — some want to be teachers, several lawyers, some businessmen, a few engineers, some dancers—– but all share one thing in common. “They dream big,” says Bea with pride. “And that is I think one of the best things about all this… knowing that they are not afraid to do so, and knowing that you had a part in making that happen.”
In the last two runs of the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar, Bea’s sister Sofia invited her own favorite exhibitors to raise funds for her Steps Scholarship Foundation, which offers dance education and training to deserving students from all walks of life. Steps scholars have enjoyed some truly life-changing opportunities: training and competing both locally and internationally; sharing the stage with famous dancers, artists and performers; earning scholarships abroad, and eventually finding places in dance schools and companies around the world.
Danier Laganzo, a 10th grade student at APEC Schools Tondo is also a dance scholar at Steps Dance Studio. “I’ve been with Steps since 2012,” says Danier. “I didn’t like dancing at first but I realized that dancing can help you express yourself and that it makes me andothershappy.Recently,Stepschosemetocompete in the prestigious ballet competition Asian Grand Prix. I made it to the finals and received a full scholarship in the New Zealand School of Dance.”
Last year during a fundraising event for CENTEX, a group of selected Steps scholars shared the stage with Stella Abrera and other Stars of the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Two scholars from that group — Vince Pelegrin and Elwince Magbitang — caught the eye of Abrera and her husband Sascha Radetsky, the artistic director of the ABT Studio Company. Both Vince and Elwince were able to travel to New York in September to participate in the summer intensive program at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, and then become students at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.
Vince is currently continuing his education at the JKO School. Elwince has moved on to join the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. This November, Elwince will once again share the stage with Stella Abrera in a fund-raising performance for the benefit of CENTEX — this time as one of the bright new Rising Stars of ABT.
“As someone who supports our fundraising efforts — whether the shows or this year’s Designers’ Holiday Bazaar — you’re in for a treat for sure,” says Sofia. “This bazaar not only features gorgeous Philippine-made products, it also makes a real difference. With each item you buy, you are helping to educate a child. Your support can really change lives!”
The Designers’ Holiday Bazaar will run from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15 at the Gallery of Greenbelt 5. For information, follow @designersholidaybazaar on Instagram and Facebook.