Filipino pop-up market brings Pinoy Christmas cheer to the Bay area
The Filipino Artisan Holiday Bazaar features 20 brands for its 2nd annual event
SAN FRANCISCO – A Filipino pop-up market is all set to bring holiday cheer to the Bay area.
Twenty Filipino American small businesses will kick off the season with the 2nd annual Filipino Artisan Holiday Bazaar. They will come together for the event on Dec. 2, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sentro Filipino in San Francisco.
“We wanted to bring the Filipino Christmas spirit to as many people as we can,” said event organizer and Hara founder, Keesa Ocampo.
The free event encourages RSVPs to join a raffle. Prizes include curated gift bags filled with artisanal products handcrafted by Filipino and Fil-Am artists.
The popup market will showcase the most beloved Filipino products. The featured products include books, holiday home décor, Christmas lanterns, tsokolate and puto bumbong.
Vendors include Arkipelago Books, jewelry line Barbara Lee, Bayani Art, Fely’s Siomai, Hara, Kokak, Kurated Kultura, Lacson Ravello, LBC Express, Lola x Kenneth, Makulai Designs, ME Crafts, Mie Makes, My Favorite Bite, Narra, Pampinay, Rejins, Shop Farols, Shop Ina Sol, and Venazir Martinez.
Conscious entrepreneurs
“This is a celebration of the Filipino/a/x American business community that reflects a new generation of conscious entrepreneurs,” said Ocampo. “When we created Hara, we wanted to celebrate handcrafted products by women and indigenous crafts folk from the Philippines.”
“Our homes tell the stories of who we are and this popup market is a way for us to celebrate with this large community, that in many ways, is a family,” she added.
RĒJINS is one of the participating vendors. Its founder, Jilleo Recio, said the Fil-Am community has been incredibly supportive in helping grow his brand.
“Everyone is excited to celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and we all show up for one another,” he said. RĒJINS focuses on ingredients that enhance people’s natural skin color, not change it.
“Even though it gets quite challenging as entrepreneurs, we’re fueled by our ability to share nods to our culture and heritage through our businesses,” said Narra co-founder Miggy Reyes.
Last July, Narra launched its flagship line of ready-to-drink oat milk lattes. The Asian-inspired, dairy-free and naturally caffeinated drink has no added sugar and no artificial ingredients.
Holiday drag show
The event will also feature holiday music and entertainment. Performers include Filipinx drag queens, led by Mx GAPA 2023, Kiki Krunch, with Ehra Amaya, John Fedellaga and Nutasha Quintine.
As performers and influencers, they represent the large community of local Filipinx artists who contribute to the vibrant LGBTQIA community of San Francisco.
Event organizers are also raising funds to sponsor the education of Filipino children through Philippine International Aid.
The event will be held at Sentro Filipino, 814 Mission St. in San Francisco. You may RSVP for the raffle here. For more information, contact the organizers at [email protected].
