OM EVENTS
Iskaparate Celebrates OSCI@50 Bazaar at Ateneo with Local Handicrafts
In line with the 50th founding anniversary celebration of the Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) of Ateneo de Manila University, third-year students of the BS Management program enrolled in NSTP12-Bigkis organized the OSCI@50 Bazaar last November 6-7, 2025, at the LS Promenade with the theme Celebrating Community, Formation, and Partnerships.
The bazaar was a festivity of creative handicrafts made by OSCI’s community partners, including local artisans, mothers with home-based enterprises, and community-based advocates. Throughout the two-day event, the NSTP12-Bigkis BS Management students supported the initiative by promoting the products online, managing the booths, and assisting in sales.
According to OSCI, all proceeds from the bazaar will directly benefit its community partners to help sustain their livelihood and other programs. It's part of their mission of fostering social involvement and solidarity action.
With a shared passion and long-term partnership with ADMU, Iskaparate collaborated with one of its participating student groups to feature at the bazaar its products by vendors OBRA Fashion and Crafts, Daniel’s Handicraft, Nostalgic Nook, SAC Clay Creations, and Sabon de Organica.
Iskaparate at the OSCI@50 Bazaar
The first day of the bazaar appeared to be a bit experimental for the Management students considering it was a first-time experience at a practicum-like activity. Working under the heat of the sun, there was an inconsistent number of inquirers and buyers which led the group to push more in terms of promotions. But Our Market, Iskaparate’s former storefront which is now the digital magazine housing the e-commerce, was also present in the event as a collaborator to add excitement and traffic by gathering data and engaging with students and other institutional staff through activities and giveaways.
With lessons and experiences learned during the first day, the second day went a lot smoother with more students dropping by and purchasing items. The group exceeded their expected amount of sales and sold the Christmas parol, the highest-priced item! For both Iskaparate and Our Market, this means higher visibility for its vendors, wider reach, and greater appreciation for local entrepreneurs and their crafts, which is almost the entirety of its entity’s existence.
As if there wasn’t a more perfect timing, the vendor of boat bags and upcycled bottle lamps, OBRA Fashion and Crafts, and the vendor of woven baskets and the Christmas parol, Daniel’s Handicraft, visited the bazaar and were able to witness the success of the students whom they trusted to market and sell their products.
Iskaparate’s partnership with ADMU in this project was not only during the bazaar but began as early as the preparation. Almost two months prior to the event, the Our Market team conducted weekly hands-on lectures and offline guidance sessions for the digital marketing team of the group, teaching them effective marketing strategies to garner attention and build excitement as the event got closer. Iskaparate on the other hand, provided consistent support to the selling team of the group by feeding them insightful information and stories they can share about the products and their corresponding vendors which could help their ability to market and sell onsite.
Other community partners who participated in the OSCI@50 Bazaar included:
1. Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS)
2. Solidarity of Orphans and Widows (SOW)
3. Kabuhayan sa Ganap na Kasarinlan Credit and Savings Cooperative (K-COOP)
4. Pag-asa sa Paglaya Multipurpose Cooperative (PSPMC)
5. Gawang Kamay
6. Tumana Eco-Warriors Organization (TEWO)
7. Community Crafts Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CCAP)
8. Pambansang Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Impormal sa Pilipinas (PATAMABA)
9. Buklod Tao Inc.
Our Market: New Digital Magazine
Going beyond the selling and marketing aspects of the event, the OSCI@50 Bazaar was an opportunity for Our Market to reach broader audiences as a rising online magazine platform for entrepreneurs and learners on various topics in business, food, culture, and lifestyle.
Following its press launch on October 17, 2025 with a chocolate-making workshop and sponsors’ fair, Our Market is currently on a tour across campuses nationwide with its pioneering campaign, OMG! Go Beyond Campuses, Go Beyond Connection!, and is looking into collaborating with Ateneo de Manila University again in the future to tap into the institutional body and introduce itself as a credible and reliable resource hub.
Shop online on Iskaparate
Activities like this are held and supported with the mission of promoting local talent and entrepreneurship, and connecting them with the right audiences. Iskaparate began with this idea, and Our Market’s active participation in such and its evolution into a digital publishing platform, at its core, is aimed at amplifying this goal.
You, too, can support Filipino entrepreneurs and uplift the local economy by visiting Iskaparate and shopping for high-quality selections. Food products range from ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and frozen goods, while non-food products range from home decor, accessories, makeup, and skincare products.
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