Virtual community bazaar by MRSGI
Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) launched recently the First Virtual Metro Community Bazaar to kick off MRSGI’s celebration of National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Month.
The bazaar features products from homegrown social enterprises and corporate social responsibility partners.
The event is part of ongoing efforts of MRSGI and Vicsal Foundation Inc. (VFI) to extend care to vulnerable communities and sectors across the Philippines. VFI is the non-stock, non-profit private domestic corporation that champions the CSR initiatives of MRSGI owner and operator, Vicsal Development Corporation.
The virtual bazaar simulates the experience of shopping and exploring an actual bazaar. By clicking on a virtual storefront, shoppers will be led to the exhibitor’s website, e-commerce platform or social media page. Here, they can shop and get more information on their advocacies.
Unlike e-commerce platforms, it encourages you to explore the exhibitor’s online spaces. There are also free activities like cooking and baking demonstrations, and dance, yoga, and fitness exercises, classes that shoppers can try.
Gourmet food products on offer at the bazaar include savory Bangus in Corn Oil, Gourmet Tuyo, and Crispy Mushrooms created by Caritas Margins, a program under Caritas Manila that provides skills and entrepreneurship training to marginalized sectors. All-natural and healthy items such as Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Sugar, and Pure Honey are also available from Caritas Margins. Those looking for lighter drink options will love the Moringa Tea from GreenEarth Foundation, Inc.
Shoppers can also avail of produce from Mad Market and Blessed Earth Farm, adlai rice from Bukidnon’s Kiboa Ridge Farms, healthy meals from MDF Diet2Go, organic jams and spreads from Tree Hill Grocer and tasty snacks from SeaKid; and lifestyle items from local brands Bambuhay, Gifts that Give Back by the Artisan Women of Tondo, Likha Lokal, and Wow Carmen Handicraft.
Bazaar-goers can also make a donation to support various advocacies. This includes Bahay ng Dios Foundation, which spearheads church conservation efforts; Caritas Segunda Mana, the donations-in-kind program of Caritas Manila; and Green Earth Heritage Foundation, which promotes sustainable community-based farming.
The First Virtual Metro Community Bazaar will run until July 31.
Creative dining areas in SM’s Premier malls
Al fresco dining with the Metro skyline as a backdrop . . . pink flamingo inflatables serving as reminders for diagonal seating . . . Smiley chairs and emojis . . . magical friends like Elly the Elephant and Benny the Bunny joining in the fun.
These are some of the highlights of creative and innovative dining spaces in SM’s Premier malls to make the recently allowed dining out experience more fun and exciting for customers while practicing health and safety protocols.
Al fresco dining becomes a top of the world experience at The Podium in a lush garden setting amid stunning skyscrapers, and at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark with its safari inspired theme. Both The Podium and Aura also have set up dining areas in their respective atriums where customers can enjoy their ordered meals as they establish social distancing.
SM Megamall’s Event Center, on the other hand, has been transformed into a tropical paradise with inflatable flamingos, and pink, purple, and yellow inflatable floaters. In the area, which can accommodate up to 34 diners, pink inflatable flamingos and summery stickers also serve as reminders for diagonal seating arrangements as part of the health and safety protocols in the mall’s dining areas.
Also at SM Megamall, its Mega Atrium will bring a lot of smiles to customers with its Instagram worthy displays of different emojis — some wearing masks and other protective equipment. There are also larger than life Smiley Chairs in the area, which has a maximum seating capacity of 18 pax.
The SM Mall of Asia has transformed its airy bright event center into an extended dining area where the mall’s magical friends — Leon the Lion, Haley the Hippo, Gerry the Giraffe, Macky the Monkey, Cyril the Squirrel, Benny the Bunny, Elly the Elephant, Hanna the Panda and Sebi the Zebra can join in the set to make dining more fun. MOA’s friends in miniature are also placed on top of tables as reminders to stay one meter apart.
