Your favorite bazaar that supports National Museum and The Museum Foundation of the Philippines is now in Zalora
Different venue, same cause—and the promise of a unique and safe shopping experience. For the first time since it kicked off 12 years ago, “MaArte Fair” goes online.
With the unprecedented things brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, which prohibits mounting physical events that gather large crowds, The Museum Foundation of the Philippines (MPFI) has partnered with Zalora for “MaArte @ Zalora.” With just a few clicks, you can now easily purchase items from the fair and have those delivered right at your doorstep.
“We are happy to have Zalora Philippines on board as a partner for the 12th staging of the MaArte fair. Their e-commerce platform offers the best solution to the restrictions caused by this pandemic by providing safe, easy, and contactless interactions between our vendors and patrons,” says MFPI president Albert Avellana. “More importantly, the staging of ‘MaArte @ ZALORA’ will hopefully introduce our exhibitors to a wider market. We see this as a great opportunity to raise awareness for fundraising activities of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines.”
In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Albert also admits that making this event is not an easy task. “A lot of challenges, the change of platform, for one. It’s a learning experience to all of us: MFPI as organizer, exhibitors, and Zalora itself,” he shares. “A whole new world! With the online platform, you upload all info details, images, then the system will work on its own. It’s a good feeling. I expect that our exhibitors will do very, very well so they can continue their community support work, for MPFI to raise some funds during this time, and that our exhibitor participants are now ready for the new platform of e-commerce.”
MaArte with a cause
“MaArte” is designed to support the National Museum and other MFPI projects. On top of these, the online event also seeks to create a new platform for partner micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), to help them bounce back from the economic blow dealt by the pandemic.
According to Albert, the majority of participants this year are composed of small businesses, owned by local artisans. And to maximize it, the fair will run from Oct. 16 to Dec. 31. This is a big change for “MaArte,” which has previously ran only for three days.
Some favorites from previous fairs are coming back, such as Amarie, Aranaz, Coco and Tres, Creative Definitions, Gifts and Graces, Ibarra, TDLG Designs, Milvidas, MCV Designs, O & M Home, Oscar Mejia Fragrances, Beyond Borders, Pika Pika Cards, Siklo Pilipinas, WHIMSY Silay Export Inc.
For jewelers, there’s Tim Tam Ong, Natalya Lagdameo, and Riqueza. For fashion brands, there’s Betina NYC, WYC Wear Your Culture, and designer Jojie Lloren. As the event moves along, expect more exhibitors to join the fair.