Ideas & Opportunities

These places foster diversity, a friendly vibe and that much-needed exposure for small startup entrepreneurs.

Held once a week, these weekend markets are set up in wide public spaces, near communities and villages across the metro. Vendors, mostly situated in tents, offer a wide selection of organic produce, home-cooked meals, and other items usually not available in commercial centers. Prices in these weekend markets could be cheaper or more expensive than those found in groceries, depending on the product or the market itself, but shoppers are sure to find a good buy from one of its many stalls.

More than creating a shopping venue with an atmosphere akin to farmers’ markets in the United States, these marketplaces are also friendly to small entrepreneurs, farmers and craftsmen who are trying to reach a new group of customers, and to startup businesses that could use some exposure to the growing traffic in the markets commercial centers. Prices in these weekend markets could be cheaper or more expensive than those found in groceries, depending on the product or the market itself, but shoppers are sure to find a good buy from one of its many stalls.

One of the most popular markets in Manila is the Legaspi Sunday Market held every week in the posh Legaspi Village of Makati City.

Seen as complementary to Salcedo Market, the Legaspi Sunday Market was originally intended for residents of Barangay San Lorenzo and the villages of Ecology and Legaspi, but satisfied shoppers were not at all shy about spreading the word about this go-to market.

Visitors from all over the metro and the suburbs now enjoy the market together with the residents. They are always in for a treat with a gamut of goods like home décor, international cuisines, and organic food and produce, some of which are only found here.

It turns out that not only regulars of the market take pleasure in this new weekend activity. Reni Orayani, a licensed architect who recently discovered his passion in photography, is selling photocards and bookmarks from the pictures he had taken during his travels. “Most of us here, we look forward to Sundays. A lot of customers ask me a lot of questions, so kwento ako. Interactive dito eh,” says Orayani.  

As in the Salcedo Market, no two vendors must sell the same product to maintain diversity and lessen direct competition. “When you go around, it’s very interesting, different stuff. No competition here. We don’t kill each other,” he says.

Organizers also hold various events at LSM to keep people interested in the market. In April 2010, the 1st Grilla in Manila, a competition among amateur and professional cooks, drew in a good crowd.

To apply as a vendor, get a form from one of the staff present in the market. The committee will evaluate the application and schedule interview and food sampling. Your chances of being able to join the market depend on the availability of space.

HOW TO GET THERE: From the MRT-3 Ayala Station, take the e-jeepney to Legaspi Village. Hop off at the corner of Legaspi and V.A. Rufino streets. Walk down the pathway until you see the Legaspi Carpark, across the Union Church.

 

Brgy. San Lorenzo Business Association
2F Metrobank Bldg. 908 A. Arnaiz Ave., Brgy. San Lorenzo, Makati City 1223
(02) 425.0851; 092.7324.3657