Legazpi Market to rise as Makati's Sunday Helsinki Souk

MANILA, Philippines - It all started in a little spot in Legazpi Village, Makati, where a few entrepreneurs set their heart on spearheading a street souk in tune with the flourishing lifestyle of the district.

Much hard work and a few years later, what was once a small marketplace turned into a weekly venue for today’s budding artisans. Now largely recognized as the Legazpi Sunday Market, it is a destination where international cuisine, organic finds, handmade products, green items, and local products can be found for both sellers and buyers alike.

Iconic Lifestyle destination in Makati

As a city that emerges with an array of lifestyle possibilities, amplifying activities like the Legazpi Weekend Market can truly pave the way for showcasing more of what Makati has to offer. With that in mind, GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc. (GMCI), a Makati-based transformative social marketing company, works with organizers to develop the iconic souk into something that will further amplify its concept.

“Being a Makati denizen and as a longstanding communications partner of the most distinguished industry players for years have given us a perspective on how staying relevant to the ever-changing lifestyle of your market matters,” notes Amor Maclang, director for communications of GMCI. “It’s one of the ideals that make us challenge ourselves to produce new, transformative, and game-changing ideas that serve as our inspirations to generate exceptional campaigns.”

Soon to rise, the Makati Street Market will strengthen Makati’s stature as the ideal address for today’s evolving urbanites.

GMCI, together with its partners and sponsors, is transforming the Legazpi Sunday Market into the Makati Street Market — the first and biggest artisanal market in the Philippines. Inspired by the verve of renowned outdoor lifestyle markets in Barcelona, Berlin, Helsinki, and Paris, the Makati Street Market will retain the Legazpi Sunday Market’s open-air venue laid out in front of a dazzling urban backdrop, which allows people to take pleasure in dining and shopping amid the vibrant Makati atmosphere. Furthermore, the enhanced street souk will be adapting the idea of artisanal market concepts where purchasers deal with the food artisans themselves.

To further foster the vibe of the district where the street market is located, the market organizers will set up pocket events for four consecutive Sundays from Sept. 23 to Oct. 14. Activities include grilling competitions, an adobo festival, dance and cocktail events and even biking workshops that highlight Makati as a city that boasts of accessibility.

Pivotal to Makati’s dynamism

Geared to become the biggest of its kind in the country, the upcoming Makati Street Market will highlight not only the selection of good finds and good food in Makati, but also one of the reasons why the city offers endless lifestyle possibilities. The main goal of the initiative is to uphold and support more of the country’s local products and homegrown services, which could lead to the growth of budding artisanal businesses such as Mantequilla, Budbud Gourmet Suman, and Pinoy Ordurvz Foods for delicacies; Patika Beads and Wiresworks for fashion accessories; and Creative Definitions, Bicol Sweetgrass Handcrafts, and All in Red Clay Factory for crafts and home decor.

One of the sponsors of the event is a longstanding partner of GMCI, known for fostering leisure and lifestyle options in Makati: Alveo Land, Ayala Land Inc.’s benchmark of lifestyle innovation, is joining the market transformation since the location of the market itself is pivotal to the thriving dynamism of the district where two of its landmark projects are located: The Lerato and Kroma Tower.

Meanwhile, Makati Street Market is also aligned with Ayala Land Inc., Makati Commercial Estate Association, Inc. (MACEA), and the local government of Makati’s “Make It Happen! Make It Makati!” campaign, an ongoing project that highlights opportunities for the city’s denizens.

Evidently, the ongoing success of the Legazpi Sunday Market is no fluke, despite the fact that Makati already has a wide array of dining and shopping spots. And with the exceptional lifestyle concept that will be adapted and enhanced by the Makati Street Market, the initiative will further strengthen Makati as an ideal address for today’s evolving urbanites.

The Makati Street Market is located at the Legazpi Park in Makati City. Pocket events will run for four Sundays (Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14), from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interested sponsors may contact 0917-521-4624 or makatistreetmarket@gmail.com.