Tis' the season to go shopping: The 47th International Bazaar 2013

Tis' the season of cold wind, cuddle weather, merry lights, crazy sale, night markets and weekend bazaars! 

And oh what a jam packed weekend that was! The next morning after the Nuffnang event, we went to the 47th International Bazaar.

More Bazaar information after the jump!
It officially opens at 9 in the morning and by 8:45 am, this is the line at the PICC.

What I like about this Bazaar is its organized and people who were there are "behaved". 

Upon entrance, you have to pass this Xray area, like entering the airport.

This is the PICC Forum. It reminded me of the NBC tent in The Fort, Taguig.

Booths were designed and labeled according to country.

Products were also sold according to the specialty and availability in their country.

And it's so hard to resist booth with taste tests:

It is important that you go to a bazaar with something in mind that you already want to buy. In my observation, when the gates opened, customers started hoarding chocolates etc. The fierce Bazaar ladies already know where to go like they had the map of the event or something.

They (customers and bazaar regulars) seem to have items already in mind that they want to get. Like the customers at the Japan Booth.

Some stalls and alleys don't get as much frenzy. Such as those countries in the middle east.

Well, not all of them though.

We saw the top senator who won this year's election, Senator Grace Poe. She's the one hidden behind the lady in blue.

She moves too quickly as she started drawing crowd. She doesn't like to hog attention to the media and shoppers so this is the closest photo that I have of her (she's wearing pink). LOL!

Other items for sale:

This is where I bought my EOS lippie. I got the one in purple for Php 250.00. I don't know how much it really costs, because Aprille got hers from a friend who bought it in U.S. Also,and check out those Chubby Ronald McDonalds!

I like these quirky shops:

Check out this very fashionable lady shopping. It reminded me a lot of Saturday mornings in Salcedo market in Makati where the market shoppers are glammed up in the morning in their Mary Poppins hat and all.

Some areas are fully packed like this alley of Switzerland.

My sister Aprille bought chocolates as pasalubong (gift from trip).

They also have other products:

We also tried this organic ice cream which sold for Php 95.00 per scoop. It tastes very similar to the gelatos sold in Aria Boracay when we went there last year.

I stopped taking photos when I realized that it's not a good idea to take photos and shop at the same time because I keep missing out on some small things that I find interesting. But here are the tips if you want to go there next year (since we're told that they hold it annually):

1. Arrive Early. Before 9am, the line is already long, and the bazaar opens on time

2. At least set something in your mind that you're hopeful to buy. In our case it's chocolates, make-up, and quirky stuff.

3. Bring a large eco bag. Two if you plan to really hoard.

4. Dress and pack light. Heels are not a good idea.

5. If you're bringing a car, arrive early for the parking spaces.

6. Entrance fee is Php 100.00, I just don't know about the parking fee.

7. Products vary according to what is the specialty of the country. If you've been to the Noel Bazaar and other celebrity Bazaars, this is different. There are also local sellers of clothes, beer, etc.

8. Everything is already fixed price, unless an undisclosed internal arrangement between seller and buyer. I did not really hear anyone haggling about the prices.

9. There are food stalls at both ends of the PICC forum if ever you get hungry from all walking and haggling.

10.Aside from the entrance ticket, they have a raffle ticket (this year, to win a car) which is optional and you can purchase separately.

The sellers are nice and accommodating. Some of them even dress up in their national costume while selling so there are shoppers who get to have a photo op as bonus. 

We will definitely come back prepared next year!