There were more than just pop-up stores at Estancia Mall and Capitol Commons Ground this weekend – there were amazing local acts, too!

The Weekend Showroom’s #CelebrateLokal Bazaar & Food Fest successfully concluded its four-day event despite the rainy weather. There were amazing pop-up stores that featured locally-made products that made our patriotic hearts swell with pride. Here are our top five brands:

• Kiepsky – Kiepsky’s slim wallets are smooth, functional, and extremely well-made. You can fit in twenty cards and a wad of cash and still have enough space left for more cards and more cash. The best thing about Kiepsky? Despite the amount of items in their wallets, they NEVER get bulky.
• Hide and Seek PH – Hide and Seek PH’s items are proudly Filipino-made. They have leather bags and wallets that showcase the talent of Filipino bag designers. One of our favorites is their Large Bunker leather bag that can fit gadgets, including laptops, of up to 12 inches in size. The design and materials used remind us of those old Western films that made Western fashion so popular.
• Gayak Clothing – Gayak Clothing Manila offered classic pieces with a flirty twist! Their dresses stood out because of the perfect cut and silhouette on each piece. Gayak’s pieces remind us of the modern-day Maria Clara: A strong, feminine Filipina who juggles different roles in her life with amazing ease.
• Firestation PH – Firestation PH is actually one of the food trucks parked outside for #CelebrateLokal’s outdoor event. Despite the heavy rains, the delicious scent of inihaw food permeating from Firestation’s food truck was difficult to resist.
• Soulfood Truck PH – Another food truck that stood out at the #CelebrateLokal event! Why? Because their deep fried cheese balls were to die for.

Finally, the best moments from the event were from the acts that performed throughout the four-day celebration. IndakLahi, a popular cultural dance group, graced Estancia Mall’s bridgeway during the first day, performing four sets of traditional Filipino dances such as the Ifugaobalanga dance and the tinikling. Spoken Word by Titik  Poetry braved the heavy rains, along with a group of acoustic performers, and produced stirring performances at the park. Then, on the final day of the event, acclaimed singing group the A Capella Manila Choir sang patriotic songs at the bridgeway. It was truly a great event that celebrated not only Filipino brands, but the very Filipino soul.