Manila, Nov. 17 -- Marikina City on Monday opened its annual Christmas bazaar, giving shoppers a chance to buy high-quality and affordable shoes, bags and leather goods for the holiday season.

Aside from offering high-quality gift items, the bazaar, organized by the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc., also boosts the livelihood of local shoemakers and leather goods manufacturers.

"Ito pong bazaar ito ay taon-taon nating ginagawa. Pinangunahan po ito noong panahon ni Mayor Marcy [Teodoro]. Binigay niya po nang libre itong ating bazaar para makatulong na rin po sa inyo (We do this bazaar every year. It was initiated during the time of Mayor Marcy. He gave us this bazaar for free to help you)," Teodoro said during the opening program.

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