Article by Janella Virrey / Photos by Pamela Deyto, Michelle Tiu, and Monica Dimapilis / Graphics by Mariel Avendaño
Esplanade is an annual week-long bazaar hosted by the Ateneo Management Economics Organization. Students and outsiders alike were able to run their own concessionaires and participate in the activities set out at the Zen Garden.
From January 29 to February 2, through MEcO’s Fund Management department, the Ateneo community was able to experience a glimpse of the seaside at the Zen Garden because of this year’s Esplanade: the Seaside Market. With fishnets strewn on the stalls and seashells decorating the area, the bazaar had an overall cozy feel of the seaside. A wide assortment of products, offered by the participating concessionaires, were present as well—ranging from delectable food, fashion-forward clothing, and trendy accessories. Alongside that MEcO members enjoyed a variety of games and activities all throughout the week.
Esplanade is an annual week-long bazaar hosted by the Ateneo Management Economics Organization. Students and outsiders alike were able to run their own concessionaires and participate in the activities set out at the Zen Garden.
From January 29 to February 2, through MEcO’s Fund Management department, the Ateneo community was able to experience a glimpse of the seaside at the Zen Garden because of this year’s Esplanade: the Seaside Market. With fishnets strewn on the stalls and seashells decorating the area, the bazaar had an overall cozy feel of the seaside. A wide assortment of products, offered by the participating concessionaires, were present as well—ranging from delectable food, fashion-forward clothing, and trendy accessories. Alongside that MEcO members enjoyed a variety of games and activities all throughout the week.
Main promotional poster by Molly Walker and Mariel Avendaño
Vanguard – water repellant spray | Fox & Fletcher – messenger bags
Vega – running shorts | Bud Manila – cacti
Vintage Alley – aloha shirts | Zippy – pouches
Wunderwear – underwear | Kinetics Activewear – activewear
Mergo – cheese sticks and dips | Chamangas – spicy mango shake
Gramo – granola bites | Motion Activewear – leggings and sweatpants
Newtrition – protein spread | Sweet & Start – cookies, brownies, and cakes
Going Bananas – ice cream | Mrs. Puff’s Pastries – Japanese street food
Aside from student-run concessionaires, 8 external enterprises also participated in the event.
Included in this roster was former JSEC stall favorite Chicks2Go. The other concessionaires were as follows:
Designer Co. – men’s printed polo and shirts | Paisley PH – women’s bags
Paisley PH – women’s bags | Cliff & Khay Collections – cellphone accessories, kpop, and other novelties
DJChic – teens/ladies clothes and specs eyewear | The Cousins Collection – women’s wear
Chicks2Go – Chicken bites | Pasta Pizzarific! & Juice Bar – Pizza, pasta, sausage, and fruit drinks
Various activities and contests were also presented all throughout the week, with exciting games featured each day, such as milk shots, ball elevator, juice pong, eggplant game, and chica line up.
MEcO ladies playing Chica line up
MEcOnistas playing a wholesome game of juice pong
Kinetics underwear, Mergo, Wunderwear, Chicks2Go, CCC Food services, and Ricky’s Closet received the “Pearly bird” award, since these concessionaires paid first.
Customers of Esplanade were also asked to vote for their favorite stalls during their visit. The “Gusto Coast” winners who garnered the most votes are, Vintage Alley (1st), Vega (2nd), and Zippy (3rd) for the LS stalls, and, Chicks2Go (1st), CCC Food services (2nd), and Designer Co. for non-LS stalls.
With a generous premium, the “Seas the Day” award was also given to the top-performing concessionaires. Vega won 3rd place, while Vintage Alley placed 2nd. The overall winner of Esplanade (that received 50% off of the concessionaire’s fee) was Chicks2Go.
The following generous sponsors and co-presenters helped make Esplanade: The Seaside Market possible.
The event would not be as successful without the leadership of Pamelo Deyto and Sabrina So, who stepped up to be the Esplanade project heads. Special commendation is also given to the core team and the volunteers for doing a job well done. Indeed, Esplanade: The Seaside Market showcased MEcO’s main core competence of financial literacy by giving the MEcO members the opportunity to practice it through operation and supervision of their stalls.
