Weekend Lifestyle and Organic Market Soon to Hit South Metro!

I noticed more and more weekend markets are emerging in the metro these days.  I remember the very first weekend market I’ve been to, and it wasn’t actually here in the Philippines, but in Bangkok, Thailand, and it’s famously called Chatuchak.  Oh, don’t I just love and miss Chatuchak!  Chatuchak is a 35-acre market area that is home to more than 8,000 market stalls, and is actually one of the largest weekend markets in the world.  Similar to our local Divisoria, it’s where you can discover great finds and a wide variety of goods - from food and beverage, clothing and accessories, handicrafts and ceramics, furniture and home decors, down to antique and collectibles, pets, plants and almost everything under the sun, at prices cheaper than in most commercial establishments in Bangkok.
 

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Here in the Philippines, however, the very first weekend market I encountered is the one at The Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City.  Opens on Sundays at The Lung Center hospital grounds, Mom used to come here for some fresh organic veggies and some local delicacies.  The other weekend markets I know are the Salcedo Saturday Market in Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, and the Legaspi Sunday Market along Herrera and Rada corner Legaspi Streets, Legaspi Village, both located in the sprawling Makati City residential-commercial neighborhood.  Then there’s Mercato Centrale, situated at the corner of 34^th Street and 8^th Avenue (across MC Home Depot) in the new cosmopolitan business hub, Bonifacio Global City, in Taguig.

Photos courtesy of Mercato Centrale

The concept of Mercato Centrale @ BGC is inspired by the outdoor markets of Mercato Centrale in Florence, Italy and the Boroughs Market in London, England.  Located in a more comfortable, well-ventilated and organized setting, I think Mercato Centrale @ BGC is the pioneer in combining the weekend lifestyle and organic market experience with great tasting food-tripping experience and fun-filled activities like cooking demonstrations and live entertainment for the whole family to enjoy over the weekend.

With Mercato Centrale @ BGC’s big success in innovating the weekend lifestyle and organic market, the Mercato Centrale organizers are bringing the same weekend market experience to the south metro!  Opening its doors this coming November 18 (Friday), The Soderno @ Molito promises to showcase the best that south has to offer – from great-tasting gourmet dishes, delicacies and pastries, to fashion finds, organic and natural produce, to unique arts and crafts materials.  Soderno Night Market will be open on Fridays and Saturdays 6PM to 3AM starting on November 18, while Soderno Lifestyle Market will be open on Saturdays 7AM to 4PM bringing together the best of food, fashion, arts and crafts in one well-ventilated, Wi-Fi free, family-friendly environment.  For health-conscious and natural and organic product lovers like me, the Soderno Organic Market will be open on Sundays 7AM to 4PM to sell freshly-harvested organic fruits and vegetables, a selection of free-range meats, seafood and dairy products, as well as natural and eco-friendly products.  The Soderno @ Molito Lifestyle Center is located at the former Big Bang sa Alabang, right along the corners of Alabang-Zapote Road, Madrigal Avenue and Commerce Avenue, in front of Alabang Town Center and Ayala Alabang Village.

Further down south is another weekend lifestyle and organic market with an international community fair concept called Agora Weekend Organic Market and Lifestyle Bazaar located in the posh Brentville International Community Village in Binan, Laguna.  Launched just last October 28 to 30, this weekend market offers a blend of international and regional showcase of food and delicacies, farm-fresh produce and organic products, baked goodies and tasty treats, fashion finds, bags and accessories, toys, arts and crafts, local furniture, home decors and furnishings, and much more.  Agora Weekend Market re-opens this coming November 18 to 20 (Friday to Sunday 7AM to 7PM) and every Friday to Sunday of the whole month of December starting December 2 to 4.

Since these weekend markets will be opening in the south, where I reside (thank God!), I want to definitely check them out soon for my favorite farm-fresh and organic produce and natural products and perhaps for simply finding a new place to hang out with my family and friends with healthy foods and great finds for Christmas.  If you live in the south or happen to stop by, why don't you check out these latest addition to the weekend market bandwagon soon!

Check them out!

Mercato Centrale @ Bonifacio Global City

34th Street and 8th Avenue (across MC Home Depot), Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Opens Fridays to Saturdays 10PM to 3AM, Saturdays and Sundays 7AM to 2PM

The Soderno @ Molito

Molito Lifestyle Center, Madrigal Avenue corner Commerce Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Opening on November 18, 2011

Soderno Night Market – Fridays to Saturdays 6PM to 3AM

Soderno Lifestyle Market – Saturdays 7AM to 4PM

Soderno Organic Market – Sundays 7AM to 4PM

Agora Weekend Organic Market & Lifestyle Bazaar

Brentville International Community Village, Binan, Laguna (take Mamplasan Exit)

Re-opens on November 18-20, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 22-24, 28-30, 2011 7AM to 7PM