Loud And Proud Pinoy

In this busy, modern world, it may be difficult to find ways to show Filipino pride. It may seem like too grand a task to take part in nation building on a day-to-day basis. The average Pinoy may think that he or she cannot contribute something that will make an impact on the country. Providing an opportunity for Filipinos to take part in helping the nation is the Global Pinoy Bazaar.

With their motto, “Your Peso to Empower Filipino Entrepreneurs,” the Global Pinoy Bazaar brings together young and creative Filipino designers and merchants, giving them the exposure and support they need to bring their ideas and dreams to reality. Furthermore, the bazaar gives buyers an opportunity to support homegrown talent and patronize Filipino-made products in an event that can only be called “Proudly Pinoy.”

The Global Pinoy Bazaar is a project of Yabang Pinoy. Formed in 2005 by a young group of idealists, Yabang Pinoy is determined to revive a sense of pride and national identity, especially among the youth. The group comes up with proactive ways for every Filipino to be involved in the movement. One of these is what they call a “consumer revolution.” Through the selling of abaca bracelets that have become popular among the youth and supported by many showbiz personalities, to events like the Global Pinoy Bazaar, Yabang Pinoy provides the venue for Filipino entrepreneurs and consumers to do business. With the bazaar, consumers are assured that their money will be put to good use in support of a fellow Filipino’s business.

“Yabang Pinoy hopes to motivate entrepreneurs to take being Filipino as a standard to measure up to with superb design and excellent craftsmanship, and through it be part of nation-building and real progress,” writes Mark Tan, a Yabang Pinoy advocate.

One of the young entrepreneurs featured in the Global Pinoy Bazaar, is Gian Francis Ruiz of Maverick by Design (www.maverickbydesign.com). His stall in the bazaar stands out and – literally – lights up. Gian sells shirts, bags, and purses that have battery-powered designs. The unique designs that light up and flash draw interested crowds at the bazaar. A Pinoy who is already thinking globally, Gian says that he will soon be selling his creations in the US and Japanese markets.

In this year’s bazaar, hand painted items are an evident trend. Baubles, Bangles ‘n’ Beads (www.baublesbanglesnbeads.multiply.com), owned by Venny Santos, Joyce Tan, and Pauline Yu, started three years ago selling hand painted bangles. They soon added canvas totes to their offerings. Now, they also sell hand painted ladies shoes in ready-to-wear and made-to-order designs.

NJ Sneaks (tel 672-1839) also sells hand painted footwear. Its vividly colored designs on white canvas sneakers are popular with the male customers. Its designer, Neil Paras, even created limited edition Philippine inspired designs.

Ming Ong’s Kathang Kamay (www. obrakathangkamay.multiply.com) has a variety of colorful offerings. A former graphic designer, Ming tapped into her talent in the arts and started to make headbands, rings, and earrings out of copper and resin. Her most eye-catching pieces are her vintage hand painted dresses. She reuses vintage dresses, sewing them into new shapes and painting them. She likes using Filipino icons “kalachuchi, sampaguita, and isaw,” she lists. While her works are being sold in bazaars as well as in Souk Gallery and Backstage, Ming says she would like to open a concept store to sell her accessories, clothes, and even one-of-a-kind houseware and furniture.

One of the youngest among the merchants in the Global Pinoy Bazaar is Aya Ng, a Fine Arts student at the University of the Philippines. In her t-shirt line, Lupang Hinirang (www.kaayaaya.multiply.com), she experimented with the continuous line movement style. The idea for her designs started from the doodles she did during lectures in class. Her shirt designs depict popular Philippine icons such as Imelda Marcos and Dolphy to Filipino heroes such as Lapu-lapu and Jose Rizal. “We’re Filipino,” she says simply on why she decided to use them as her subjects. Indeed, there is no better reason for her choice.

Other designers and stores featured in the Global Pinoy Bazaar are Indie Art Manila, Urban Juncture, Finina, Repartee, Atavio, Tawid Silver, Morbie Dolls, Outlandish, Beach Baby, Brown Belly, Mirror Art Mirars, Home Furnishing Finds, Sigaw Sambit, Indigo Baby and many more.

Be it through buying a homemade product, discovering a uniquely Filipino creation, or even just realizing the talent of young Filipinos, the Global Pinoy Bazaar gives everyone a reason celebrate being Pinoy.

The last Global Pinoy Bazaar for the year will be held in Ayala Alabang Village, Cuenca Community Center near St. James Parish on Oct 18 and 19, from 9 am to 8 pm. For more information on Yabang Pinoy, visit www.yabangpinoy.com.