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.
Go on a (virtual) trip to Japan
Date: July 4, Wednesday – Aug. 26, Sunday
Venue: Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2; CSR and Escaler Hall, Ateneo de Manila University; Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP); Cinematheque Center Manila; Cine Adarna, UP Film Institute
Japan is a favorite vacation destination for many Filipinos. For those who miss the land of the rising sun (and good food, and anime) or simply love Japanese culture, the Eigasai Japanese film festival might help fill the void.
Now on its 21st year, the festival will screen 15 full-length films of different genres in five major cities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This includes Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, and Naga.
In Manila, screenings will be held in various cinemas including one in Greenbelt mall and the CCP.
Films included in the line up are the live-action adaptations of the manga Chihayafuru (parts 1 – 3), the indie film Of Love & Law, and the classic Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai.
For more information, visit the Eigasai PH Facebook page.
Run with your heroes
Date: July 7, Saturday
Venue: SM Mall of Asia Event Grounds, Pasay City
The Marvel fandom is everywhere, and it’s huge. So huge, in fact, that there is now a fun run that will have fanboys and fangirls dashing alongside its superheroes.
It’ll be held on Saturday, July 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Event Grounds. Participants can choose between a 3K, 5K, or 10K race and will receive Marvel-themed race kits.
Tickets start at PHP1,200 (US$22.49) while a VIP ticket costs PHP2,750 (US$51.53).
For more information, visit the Color Manila website.
Support local theater and enjoy the show
Date: ends July 15
Venue: Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
The Virgin Labfest is an annual event that stages previously “unpublished, unstaged, untested, and untried” works by Filipino playwrights.
It’s popular among those who follow the local theater scene but is also worth checking out for casual audiences — if only to change up the usual Saturday movie nights.
This year, 15 one-act plays will be staged including the sci-fi Mga Bata sa Selda 43 (The Children in Cell 43), the socio-political Ang mga Propesyunal (The Professionals), and the Marawi Musicale, a story about the Battle of Marawi.
There are five “sets” viewers can pick from, each with three one-act plays.
For more information, visit The Virgin Labfest Facebook page.
