April 17, 2024
Affordable purchases for a great purpose: Bazaar at Matandang Balara, Quezon City
By Dorothy Castro
As early as 6:30 in the morning of April 13, volunteers already gathered at the covered grounds of Matandang Balara, Quezon City. Along with Tzu Chi scholars, they brought out boxes of home items and children’s toys, as well as sacks of clothing. All of these were neatly arranged before the bazaar was opened to the public, with many excited customers waiting at the entrance.
The bazaar started with an invitation to a prayer led by Tzu Chi volunteer Lerma Pedro, for the recovery of the victims of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Taiwan last April 3. “While we all come from different homes, may we pray together for Taiwan, so that they may overcome this difficult time and start anew,” she said.
Lerma, an educator at Matandang Balara Elementary School, dedicates her heart to service not only towards her students, but also her community.
When asked about her love for helping people as a Tzu Chi volunteer, Lerma cited Master Cheng Yen’s three resolutions. “Purify our hearts, harmonize the society, and no more disasters in this world,” she said.
Lerma finds that this bazaar was an opportunity for her to lend her strength to serve her community. While also occupied with her responsibilities as a teacher, she made sure to be at the bazaar early despite getting home at midnight.
“I know I have a choice, and I will always have time for Tzu Chi. I enjoy my work at school, but I also find great joy in being of service to my community,” Lerma said with certainty.
For Sydney Alipao, a 21-year-old Tzu Chi scholar, this bazaar was an enjoyable and meaningful initiative not only for her but also for her mother, Jean. Sydney shared that as she participated in the bazaar as a volunteer, her mother also enjoyed a morning of looking through the bazaar items and bought a couple of products for her family. Jean’s stash included clothing for her husband and shoes for her.
Working on her duties as a volunteer that day, she particularly liked arranging and selling toys. She also encouraged her family to check out the many items at the bazaar through online messaging. “I remembered my nieces and nephews, and I showed the stuffed toys to their mom to ask if she was interested in them. I took pictures of them one by one, even the tumblers,” Sydney said.
Making a sale, of course, isn’t the bazaar’s only goal. For Sydney, “Volunteering in this event is a fulfilling experience. Because aside from seeing the smiles of the people with the affordable products and the happy children enjoying their new toys, we are certain that the earnings from this bazaar will go to good things.”
To Lerma, this bazaar’s great purpose is her motivation. “We make sure that the products are of good quality. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this bazaar will be given to victims of disaster and calamity, especially with the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Taiwan,” she explained.
Jessie Mae Gelotin, a customer during the bazaar, also mentioned the feeling of making purchases that can help people in need. Going to the bazaar with her cousins, Jessie Mae purchased items for her children, such as toys and clothing. “I was able to purchase good items for my children, and at the same time help victims of calamity,” she said.
Customers watch as a Tzu Chi volunteer carries a sack of clothing and a box of products to be sold at the bazaar. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A Tzu Chi staff carries items to be sold at the bazaar. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Pre-loved clothes are arranged before the start of the bazaar. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers and staff unpack and sort the different pants for sale at the bazaar. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
A variety of children’s shoes was laid out for customers to see. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
A Tzu Chi volunteer unpacks and arranges shoes to display them for sale at the bazaar. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Everything from houseware to toys could be found at the April 13 bazaar. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Tzu Chi scholar Sydney Alipao (right) made sure to carefully arrange the toys. “I immediately noticed the toys and arranged them, such as the blocks with numbers that I collected and arranged one by one,” Sydney shared. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Pre-loved clothes are a favorite find at any bazaar. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Parents kept an eye out for sneakers and school shoes for their little ones. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Various children’s stuffed toys were available for the customers during the bazaar. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Different home items such as cabinets, shelves, and even suitcases were for sale during the bazaar. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Various bags and umbrellas are neatly arranged for sale at the bazaar. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Boxes of children’s school supplies and toys are available for the customers. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Items for the bazaar range from home goods, clothing, to children’s toys. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Tzu Chi volunteers join in the prayer for the families affected by the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Taiwan. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A child participates in the prayer for the families affected by the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Taiwan. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Many customers enjoy buying home products such as cooking pots and hand soap. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Many customers enjoy buying home products such as cooking pots and hand soap. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Children enjoy looking through different toys for sale. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Many clothing choices were available for different ages during the bazaar. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Jessie Mae Gelotin (third from left) looks through different clothing for her children. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Many customers also enjoy rummaging through different clothing options at the bazaar. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A Tzu Chi scholar packs a customer’s purchased items. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Tzu Chi volunteers and a Tzu Chi scholar work together to pack the fragile items bought by a customer. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】