Fair Deal : A Barter Auction Event

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of its second year, Trade School Manila is hosting a fund and awareness raising event on August 24, 2013.

Entitled Fair Deal : A Barter Auction Event, the three-hour gathering seeks to create an atmosphere of fun and trading – of the non-monetary variety. Services are the currency of choice in this event, with artists like folk singer Tao Aves pledging to provide 2-hour jam sessions in exchange for driving lessons – as a start.

The concept of barter, commonly understood in local culture as x-deals, has yet to gain traction. Trade School Manila (TS Manila) wants to bridge that gap through this event. Whilst traditional barter would entail bargaining between two parties, TS decided to shake things up a bit. Auctions have been set up, which allow multiple persons or parties to bid for the service being offered. Negotiations are made between the bidders and the seller.

Other supporters of Trade School such as Katrina Iriberri (Pepper.PH) and JP Cuison (illustrator, Punchdrunk Panda) will be auctioning off goods and services such as red velvet cupcakes (and the secret recipe!) or commissioned artwork. To facilitate the process, bidders will be given a list of items the sellers would like to receive in exchange. These lists will serve as a jump-off point – participants are still encouraged to use their creativity and resourcefulness in coming up with alternative offers. Imagine the mayhem that will ensue in a free-for-all trade!


Guests who don’t come up with the winning bid need not go home empty-handed. There will be trading tables outside the auction hall, labelled “What I Want” and “What I Offer”. Anyone can leave a note with their contact details for someone else to pick up and trade. The idea is to create a community of professionals and hobbyists that talk to each other, across industries and locations.


In between auctions, there will be live acoustic performances from Ukulele Philippines, Hello Joe, and Ivan Theory from the UP Underground Music Community.

As part of its awareness raising initiative, Trade School Manila would like to invite members of the media to join this event. A door charge of PhP 100 will be collected at the venue as part of the fund- raising efforts. Members of the press get in for free in exchange for coverage.

Fair Deal will be held on August 24 from 3pm to 6pm at Commune, G/F Liberty Plaza, 102 H.V. Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Trade School is a non-profit independent learning community, a concept which was developed in New York and found its way to Manila via Singapore. Trade School Manila continues the practice of 'barter for knowledge' through seasonal classes. Teachers sign up to deliver lessons, and provide a list of barter items for students to bring to class in exchange. We have finished two terms in our first year, with classes ranging from Hip-Hop to Financial Planning to DIY Decors.

For more information, please contact Clarice Fong on clarice.fong@gmail.com or tradeschool.manila@gmail.com.