Making Christmas shopping meaningful

As children, Christmas was nothing short of magical. Waking up to a pile of gifts under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience that holds a special place in our childhood memories.

But as adults carrying a lot of responsibilities including holding down our jobs, raising our families and putting food on the table, Christmas is no longer as exciting as it used to be. 

For us, the Yuletide Season may have lost some of its magic, but it is now our children who look forward to this time of year. It’s our turn to keep the holiday cheer alive in our kids’ hearts. 

One meaningful way of keeping the Christmas spirit thriving among our children is by making them realize that not all kids are as lucky as they are, and that the season is more about giving than receiving.

Celebrity Ukay-Ukay ambassadors (from left) Ken, Addy, Jak and Ivan

Shopping for Christmas in the popular Noel Bazaar gives you that wonderful feeling of both giving and receiving at the same time. Each year since the bazaar was founded by Cut Unlimited, Inc. president Mayose Bautista, a huge part of the proceeds goes to GMA Kapuso Foundation’s (GMAKF) projects such as building Kapuso classrooms, Feed-A-Child, Kapuso Cancer Champions, Give-A-Gift Alay sa Batang Pinoy Christmas Project, and more importantly this year, the Rebuild Marawi project. 

By supporting the Noel Bazaar, in a way, you are able to reach out to the children from the displaced families in Marawi who simply dream of sleeping inside their own homes through GMAKF. As the fighting, which lasted five long months, recently ended, GMAKF is now focused on helping our kababayan get back on their feet.

“Sa paghupa ng bakbakan, muling nasilayan ng mga apektado ng kaguluhan ang kanilang mahal na bayan. Pero sa kanilang pagbabalik, haharapin naman nila ang muling pagbangon lalo’t halos wala nang natira sa kanilang mga ari-arian,” said Mel Tiangco, founder and ambassador of GMAKF. 

Aside from the chance to help rebuild Marawi while shopping for gifts, visitors of the Noel Bazaar will also have the chance to rub elbows with their favorite Kapuso stars. GMA artists generously gave their time and some of their previously owned items to the Celebrity Ukay-Ukay in the bazaar. 

Cut Unlimited, Inc. president Mayose (left) and Celebrity Ukay-Ukay ambassador Jennylyn

Jennylyn Mercado donated a pair of Adidas shoes that she only wore once. “Nagamit ko lang siya sa pamamasyal namin ni Jazz. Samahan niyo po ako sa Celebrity Ukay-Ukay dahil isa po ako sa mga magbebenta sa inyo,” she said. Other celebrity moms LJ Reyes, Chynna Ortaleza and Yasmien Kurdi also donated their pre-loved items for auction.

Jak Roberto, who recently appeared on the Bench runway, gave a pair of pants while Ivan Dorschner gladly parted with one of his favorite shirts. 

Make Christmas gift-giving extra special by shopping for a cause. Noel Bazaar 2017 will be at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia from Dec. 14 to 17.