Noel Bazaar kicks off at Okada Manila; to run until November 16

Noel Bazaar, the annual benefit event organized by GMA Kapuso Foundation and Cut Unlimited, Inc., has officially kicked off at Okada Manila in Parañaque City. 

According to Athena Imperial's report in "24 Oras" Friday, the bazaar formally opened on Friday and will run until Sunday, November 16. 

The opening was graced by GMA Kapuso Foundation Ambassadors Carla Abellana, Rhian Ramos, Tim Yap, Ashley Ortega, and Iya Villania. 

Carla shared during the event that this year is the most she has donated, having given away nine balikbayan boxes' worth of preloved items to the bazaar's Celebrity Ukay-Ukay Booth. 

Iya also said, "Tuwing magpapasko, there's always got to be something major that happens to our country, but what wonderful timing it is also that we have the Noel Bazaar that is here to help in situations as such." 

For Rhian, a donor of the Kapuso Foundation for many years now, it has become a Christmas tradition for her to donate her preloved clothes to the bazaar. 

Meanwhile, it is Ashley's first time this year to be an ambassador of the foundation. 

"It's better to just give it here kasi nga makakatulong pa ako sa GMA Kapuso Foundation and yes madadagdagan pa siya," said Ashley. 

According to Imperial's report, all the proceeds from the Celebrity Ukay-Ukay Booth will go to GMA Kapuso Foundation educational programs and projects for cancer patients. 

"Primarily, it's the building of new schools ng GMA Kapuso Foundation and also it supports our Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan Project, which supplies a complete set of school supplies in waterproof backpacks to over 60,000 children nationwide," said GMA Kapuso Foundation EVP & COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog. 

Noel Bazaar is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, a milestone that Cut Unlimited Inc. Managing Director Justine Bautista-Reyes recognized. 

"Twenty-five years of giving, 25 years of sharing to our less fortunate brothers and sisters, tapos 'yung pagsuporta sa mga Filipino entrepreneurs, 'yung mga negosyante na gusto palang magsimula," said Bautista-Reyes. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News