Porch Reader Philippines at Eco And Art Bazaar 2

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There is such a place where we feel at home with our bookworms and knowing that our books have found new homes.

You’ve probably noticed how, in our social media posts for the recently held Eco and Art Bazaar: Part 2 by University of the Philippines Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Sorority over the weekend, focused on the message of “Home”. 

“These books found their new homes…”

“These books are ready to be homed, bookworms…”

“Bye books, pakabait kayo ah…”

This is because of the heartwarming feeling that we got amidst the cool and comfortable venue in the Activity Center of U.P. Town Center which reminded us of being home. This goes true for us who tended the booth and for the books we brought for the browsing pleasure of the bookworms who dropped by during the event. We would like to share a few highlights of our weekend, but before that, we would like to say that we are beyond grateful for the experience we had in this first bazaar for Porch Reader Philippines for 2020. 

That said, here’s what we have experienced during our first ever bazaar for 2020. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6564″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6562″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][bksbanner banner_type=”color_bg” bn_heading=”Day 1″ bn_desc=”Eco and Art Bazaar: Part 2 at the University of the Philippines; February 1, 2020″ bg_color=”#1bb2b7″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After traveling from Bulacan to Quezon City, we reached the venue half an hour past 10, but we were received well by the security personnel at the exhibitor’s entrance. We’ve had experiences of rude people in the venue from other bazaars we’ve attended so this one was a breath of fresh air in terms of hospitality. Access to utilities that we need was easy to get to and the organizers made sure that we have the freedom to prepare our respective booths. In terms of location, the bazaar is a good distance from areas of the mall with plenty of foot traffic. It was near entrances, near places to eat, and near the parking lot as well. 

The first sale of the day, we believe, set the tone for the theme of our sales which was “homing books”. A grandmother approached the booth looking for non-fiction or self-help books. We have not brought many of those, but she turned to the bookworm-in-wonder mode when she saw the book with the collection of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. It is as if from the weary quest of looking for non-fiction or self-help books, she was brought back home to the genre that her soul loves, The Classics.

From thereon, there is a consistent arrival of bookworms ranging from personal to familiar. Personal in the sense that they are those who are looking for books that have a personal connection to them. Familiar, for they are familiar faces of friends who brought their family to the mall. And they are families who have given their children the keys to the joys of reading and it is made pretty clear because the books for their kids is part of her birthday treat.

As the first day came close to its end, there was a torrent of bookworms browsing the booth, they are all very worthwhile interactions because while others may have not brought a book home, they are very generous to share the kind of books that they would love to have and see in the booth. It’s like we were being prepared for the 2nd day of the bazaar, and they were duly noted.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”6577″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”6579″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”6576″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][bksbanner banner_type=”color_bg” bn_heading=”Day 2″ bn_desc=”Eco and Art Bazaar: Part 2 at the University of the Philippines; February 2, 2020″ bg_color=”#1bb2b7″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6571″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6574″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Armed with the information that we got from the bookworms of the first day, we have brought children’s books, hard to find books, and award-winning fiction and the never can beat classics. And like the first day, we felt so much at home. It helped that the second day was a Sunday which meant that families were in the mall, and there was an abundance of book-loving families in the venue. The children’s books were the first ones to be taken home. It was such a pretty sight to see the books held by the kids and parents while they were holding hands with their free hands. 
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”6566″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6580″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6570″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]And just as we were told that they were looking for classics, there were a lot of couples in a wide gamut of ages browsing with astonishment with the classics that we have brought. One couple seemed to be at the early stage, but having a nice moment finding out what classic literature they know. Another was a newly-wed couple building their library, they were so adorable. There was no shortage of moments of awe and inspiration. One after another, great fictions about kings of old to books of insightful stories started to find their new homes.

Up to the very end of the bazaar, 15 minutes before closing we were able to cater to our fellow bookworms. And at the end of it all, we were amazed to realize how much books we were able to sell. We never felt the effort of making it happen, we were in the zone where we were not trying so hard. That the bazaar became a time to bond instead of a time to vend. A time that is as if telling us, this is where you belong, with the good company of fellow bookworms who you can cater to their kind of books.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”6573″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”6567″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”6568″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]And that’s what home and the feeling of home is at least, a place where you feel you are enough, a place where what you have and can do matters. To the organizers of the event and bookworms who spent their time with us, we thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]