Designers' Holiday Bazaar brings curated marketplace to Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines — What began as a simple platform to elevate Filipino artisans has evolved into a vibrant creative community. Yet the core philosophy of the Designers’ Holiday Bazaar (DHB) remains: championing local ingenuity and giving back.
“This is shopping with a purpose. 100% of the event’s proceeds will fund scholarships and empower the students and teachers of Centex Digital at the Ayala Foundation and the talented dancers of Steps Scholarship Foundation,” said Bea Zobel Jr., who co-founded the country's pioneering holiday marketplace with her mother, Bea Zobel.
The 2026 curation (fashion, food, home, wellness, and lifestyle) will bridge the traditional and the innovative, exploring incredible local craftsmanship and co-creating a meaningful social impact. In its 13th year, DHB ‘s theme is “Sinag,” or Ray of Light, which symbolizes the profound inspiration that radiates from our rich heritage and emerging local talent.
This year, DHB’s curated marketplace will be on three key destinations across the country:
- Ayala Malls Abreeza, Davao City, from September 3 to 6, which will showcase contemporary Mindanaoan silhouettes with the contemporary style of Manileños;
- TriNoma, Quezon City from October 14 to 18, where the City of Stars’ dynamic community of young visionaries meets deep Filipino-Chinese heritage;
- Glorietta and Ayala Museum from November 27 to December 6, with the DHB partnering with the Ayala Foundation for their historic 65th anniversary, presenting an unparalleled flagship exhibition.
“You know, we love Christmas here in the Philippines and, you know, we're in July and we're all so excited to start shopping. It was my sister who really started this many years ago. But what I love most about DHB is it's a bazaar with a heart,” said Sofia Zobel Elizalde at the media launch.
It goes full circle, as the Zobel sisters support local and small businesses, and medium businesses.
“But the best part of this bazaar is it's not only about supporting incredible designs and local artistry and designers and entrepreneurs, but it also gives back to the country. It gives back to education through my sister’s scholars, and it gives back to the arts, which is something very, very close to my heart,” added Elizalde. “And I think that these are two things that are very important. So, when you shop, you have a good time, you see new items, you see all Filipino-designed items, you see new entrepreneurs shining bright.”
At the DHB media launch was Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala, the creative director of Ayala Land Hospitality. She is also the founder of PioPio, a then-emerging brand that joined DHB and considered the platform valuable for its growth.
“I really had no idea how to even start or where to begin and DHB was really the community that helped me. So, it was wonderful. It wasn't just about testing the market. It was also about the community, the artisans that I was able to meet and the whole community that came to DHB. So, from there, I was able to take off and kind of, you know, spread our wings and it snowballed from there,” she shared.
The young Zobel encourages anybody who’s been thinking about joining DHB to do it, not just because of the wonderful sales and not just because of the location, but the people behind it. One of the main key benefits of joining this community, she said, are the people who care about Filipino crafts who can help the exhibitors along the way.
“DHB has always been rooted in the belief that Filipino creativity deserves to be seen, celebrated, and supported. As we grow into more communities this year, we hope to create even more opportunities for local artisans and entrepreneurs to thrive,” shared Bea Zobel Jr. via a video message. “Every purchase made at DHB helps sustain small businesses and support the next generation of creative talent.”
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