Cristy in the City: weekend markets

Fun finds to make one happy

Pop-up shops were aplenty during the Dinagyang Festival held over the weekend. Wherever you go, you will surely find little street shops, craft and food bazaars to capture the imagination of old and young alike. I spent my weekend at SEDA Hotel with my Manila-based sister and we got the chance to explore some of the cute pop-up shops at the nearby Atria Ayala Mall.

I know I'm too old for toys and trinkets but I couldn't resist the kawaii wares for sale like little plush toys, stickers and novelty items. Of course, I love the fact that most of the little handmade things like stationery items were made by real artists themselves with some of them coming from nearby Bacolod City.

If you're a booklover/crafter who always has her head in the clouds, you will love the dreamy art of Jenina Benitez of Jenina's Art + Stories. I had to get a few of her super cute magnetic bookmarks so I'll start reading the still unopened books I bought at the Big Bad Wolf Sale last October. Then there's Morluck with his kitschy cute and very cheeky collectibles like stickers, postcards and pins. Love the Ilonggo humor that adds appeal to his products.

I didn't have time to check the other stalls but I always visit the kiosk that sells authentic San-X and Sanrio stuff. Everyone knows I'm a big Rilakkuma and Natsume Yujin-Cho Nyanko fan so I definitely didn't go home empty handed.

I hope these guys join more of the bazaars here in Iloilo City. I'd love to get my hands on more of their cute products. Like the saying goes, buy it if it makes you happy.

January 29, 2024

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weekend markets

Fresh Finds at Festive Walk Parade

There's something to love about an outdoor market teeming with aesthetically laid out goods like home baked bread and pastry, bottled fresh fruit juices as well as an assortment of fabulous impulse buys like handmade crafts, artisan treasures and limited edition apparel that appeal to both Generation Z and Titas of Iloilo.

I was lucky to catch the last night of Fresh Finds, a holiday outdoor market organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo last December 23, 2024. After some last minute grocery shopping, I dropped by the market to check out some of the coffee stalls for drinks and snacks. A lot of familiar vendors were present-Theo's, Coffee Brewtherhood, Courtyard by Marriott, and Richmonde among others. There were also new and upcoming vendors with exciting products and offerings.

Being a crafter and a lover of all things handmade, I gravitated towards the booth of Scibs Art Shop. They have the adorable Ichigo Strawberries, a product line inspired by cats and strawberries, Mako Makolit and Kumomaka Village illustrated postcards. I got myself some sticker packs, keychain, mini notepad, wearable buttons, postcards and the must-have 2024 Dragon Cat wall calendar.

Of course, there's my favorite homegrown coffee shop Coffee Brewtherhood where I got some whole coffee beans, a live coffee plant and a cup of hot matcha latte. I also tried the homemade donuts of Courtyard by Marriott. Their mango and chocolate donuts infused with batuan were the bomb!

I look forward to another installment of Fresh Finds! Maybe at the Dinagyang Festival, soon?

January 11, 2024

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weekend markets

Good finds from the Tahum Weekend Market

Local weekend markets are great places to scour for unique handmade items and artisanal finds. Small batch production and commitment to creating innovative products with as much handmade flair are what makes weekend markets very popular with discriminating Ilonggo shoppers.

The Tahum Weekend Market held last June 4, 2022 at the right wing of Festive Mall in Iloilo Business Park provided an easy like Saturday morning vibe to shoppers in the popular shopping strip. From quirky embroidered espadrilles to statement jewelry, there was something for everyone--the Titas of Iloilo and even the millennial crowd.

These are the items that caught my eye!

June 05, 2022

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weekend markets

Hola Plantita!

There are no street dancing and merrymaking activities this Dinagyang weekend due to the pandemic. It's eerily quiet and the mood is somber just like the downcast skies that have prevailed all week. Save for a few moments of sunshine, you would need a cup of your favorite brew or a slice of cake to brighten up the day. For me, a potful of flowers or a new glossy leafed plant would do the trick. Aside from its being Caturday, it's also a plantita kind of day. Yay!

After breakfast, my sister-law and teenage niece headed off to Plaza Jaro to check out the plant fair. Right after December, as tradition would have it, the plaza would usually be a noisy carnival of sorts filled with ukay-ukay merchandize, plant sales and exhibits, marble and ceramic markets and of course, the streetfood fare. This year, it's just all about plants, plants and more plants. I don't call myself a real plantita since my practical interest in plants is usually limited to culinary herbs and flowering plants. I'm not into collecting expensive or rare plants either since I don't have the time or the budget for it. Every January, I just buy a few plants from the Jaro Plaza market that I can add to my herb or flower garden.

The Jaro Plaza plant fair has a plant for every kind of gardener, plant enthusiast or die-hard plantita/plantito. You might just find the plant that will love you back. Check the market out as soon as you can. Bring lots of cash as the temptation will be great. Resistance will be futile.

The Jaro Plaza Plant Fair runs from January to February 6, 2021.

Update: Extended until February 15, 2021.

There is a plant for every kind of plantito or plantita

Stroll slowly and buy fast

Foliage is the new flower

Orchids for the intermediate and advanced plantita

January 23, 2021

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weekend markets

Score amazing lifestyle finds at these Dinagyang fairs and bazaars

The Dinagyang festival in this city which happens every 4th Sunday of January is going digital this year. With the coronavirus pandemic still hovering around, Dinagyang Digital 2021 will be celebrated in a more restrained style with events and festivities limited to virtual performance and cultural showcases, art events, photo contests as well as bazaars and lifestyle/food fairs.

In compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols, these events will showcase the best of what Iloilo City has to offer. Rolling kiosks and pop-up shops teeming with assorted kitsch and souvenir merchandise were a normal spectacle in the downtown area during the pre-COVID days. This year, merry makers can still have their fill of festival-inspired retail therapy with this line-up of weekend markets and week-long bazaars hosted by popular hotels and malls in the city. If you happen to swing by the Megaworld area, you can do a bit of bazaar hopping. Look out for Ilonggo designed fashion and accessories, gourmet treats, unique home decor and even trend potted plants to spruce up your home. I will certainly be looking out for hand painted pots and baskets to showcase my small collection of indoor plants.

Visit the social pages of these events for details and schedule confirmation.