True blue Manileños, recent transplants, and visitors to our city all know — there is never a lack of things to do in Manila. This is Coconuts Manila’s guide to all things good and great happening over the coming weekend. Peruse it, take note of everything that interests you, and hit us up on our Facebook page or on Twitter @CoconutsManila to sound off on what you think.
Catch a local historical film
Date: Currently showing across cinemas all weekend
Venue: Select cinemas
The Philippines celebrated its 121st Independence Day on Wednesday, and those who want to continue commemorating the country’s history can do so by watching Quezon’s Game.
The film, which premiered late last month, is still out in select theaters and tells the true story of President Manuel L. Quezon and the lengths he went through to provide refuge to Jewish people fleeing from Nazi Germany.
It’s a relatively untold story that was previously not taught in most Philippine schools, but it is believed that Quezon actually saved more than 1,000 Jewish people during the 1930s.
The film is still being screened at these cinemas.
Sing along to familiar tunes while watching a jukebox musical
Date: Starts June 14, Friday
Venue: Meralco Theater, Ortigas Ave. cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
American sing-songwriter Carole King’s hits are some of the most well-known all over the world, especially to Filipinos who still sing along to her songs to this day.
Her works have been immortalized in another way through the Broadway play Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which will be staged in Manila come Friday. It’s about King’s early life and career and is set to her songs like I Feel the Earth Move, So Far Away, and You’ve Got a Friend.
The local production by Atlantis Theatrical and ABS-CBN stars Kayla Rivera and is directed by Bobby Garcia.
Tickets are priced at PHP1,500 (US$28.93) to PHP5,000 (US$96.43) and are available on Ticket World. The show will run every weekend starting June 14, Friday to July 7, Sunday.
For more information, visit the Atlantis Theatrical Facebook page.
Join a night of “artistic bitterness”
Date: June 15, Saturday
Venue: Commune, 36 Polaris St., Poblacion, Makati City
Ampalaya is a local vegetable known for its bitter taste. It’s also a cheeky term used by millennials to describe the bitterness they feel in life. Ampalaya Monologues is a group that organizes events wherein artists can express this bitterness through spoken word performances.
They’re holding an open mic night in Makati’s Poblacion district this Saturday, from 7pm to 10 pm, where attendees can enjoy monologues, live acoustic performances, talks with relationship experts, and art.
Those who want to try their hand at performing monologues and poetry can sign up through the Open Mic Night by Ampalaya Monologues Facebook event page. More information about the event can also be found on the page.
Tickets are priced at PHP300 (US$5.79), inclusive of a free drink.
Get ready for Fête de la Musique 2019
Date: June 15, Saturday
Venue: Various locations
Fête de la Musique isn’t until next weekend, but it’s so highly anticipated that there will be pre-events ahead of it this weekend.
The first is Sunset Collective, a concert at the KMC Solutions Skydeck in Bonifacio Global City. There, artists including Butta B, Coox Moreno, Badkiss, Hernandez Brothers, and Manolet Dario will perform live. There will also be food and, of course, ice cold beer.
To sign up for free tickets and for more details, visit the Sunset Collective Facebook event page.
Another pre-Fête event this Saturday is Fête at the Park, a free concert at Manila’s Rizal Park. Local artists set to play at the historic venue include Mojofly, Dong Abay, Gin Rum & Truth, and Shotgun Combo. The event starts at 4pm.
Originating from France, Fête de la Musique is an annual music festivity that is celebrated on the 21st of June.
Fore more information, visit the Fête de la Musique PH Facebook page.
Support local brands at a boutique fair
Date: June 15, Saturday
Venue: Samsung Hall, 6/F SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway cor. 26th St., Taguig City
Independent media brand and event organizer PURVEYR advocates for the support of local Filipino brands, which they do through the Pursuit Fair.
Pursuit Fair Vol. 5 is set for Saturday, 12nn to 10pm, and will bring together 50 local companies including clothing brands and restaurants. Like always, it will have an urban aesthetic featuring hip independent brands like The Twelfth House, Carbon Manila Clothing Co., and Killing It Daily.
There will also be food from Mexican restaurant Vengo, Filipino food stall Sige Pares, and beverage creators Made in Matcha.
The entrance fee is PHP100 (US$1.93).
For more information, visit the PURVEYR Facebook page.
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