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.
Show off your “Bboom Bboom” dance moves
Date: Jan. 25, Friday
Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum, General Roxas Ave., Cubao, Quezon City
South Korean girl group Momoland visited the Philippines several times last year, but they’ll be holding their first major concert here on Friday, much to the delight of Filipino Merries (that’s what the band’s uber fans call themselves).
The event will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday. Tickets are priced from PHP1,500 (US$28.44) to PHP7,000 (US$132.73) and are available on Ticket Net.
Momoland is especially popular here in the Philippines, where their single/certified earworm “Bboom Bboom” went viral, prompting children, security guards, and prison inmates to film themselves dancing to it. We’re sure there will be plenty of that at the show, too.
Enter the world of Filipino komiks
Date: Jan. 26, Saturday
Venue: Ayala Museum, Makati Ave., cor. De La Rosa St., Makati City
Francisco Coching is a Filipino komiks (comics) legend who created iconic characters like Pedro Penduko and Hagibis. On Saturday, he and his works will be honored at an event in Ayala Museum titled Pagbati Sa Hari (Greeting the King).
There will be talks and pop-ups featuring local artists’ works. Publishers taking part in the event include Adarna House, Anino Comics, and Visprint.
It will run from 9am – 6pm. Admission is free.
For more information, visit the Pagbati Sa Hari: Komiks Pop-Up and Talks Facebook event page.
Discover up-and-coming Filipino artists
Date: Jan. 26, Saturday
Venue: Picked Cafe & Gallery, The Place Building, National Highway, Muntinlupa City
Zines are very popular among Manila’s alternative crowd, and this week, you’ll likely find many these hipsters and cool cats at Munzinelupa. The unusual name is a portmanteau of the city Muntinlupa (in Metro Manila), and the word “zine.”
The event will also feature an art market where works by more than 30 artists will be showcased. There will also be live music by indie bands, film screenings, and talks.
Entrance is free, but those who want to compensate the organizers for their work can pay however much they can. So pay a little. We know you can.
For more information, visit the Munzinelupa Facebook event page.
Take a trip down memory food lane
Date: Jan. 26, Saturday
Venue: G/F, Metrosquare Building, UN Ave. cor. Alhambra St., Ermita, Manila
American pizza chain Little Caesars was very popular in the Philippines back in the ’90s. People missed it when it disappeared in the mid-2000s, but now it’s back and ready to serve nostalgic millennials.
Its grand opening will be held at its Ermita, Manila branch on Saturday from 12 to 4pm. During the event, the restaurant will be giving away free pizza slices and merchandise. There will also be face-painting, a photo booth, and games — not unlike your little cousin’s birthday party, eh?
For more information and detailed mechanics, visit the Little Caesars Pizza Grand Opening Facebook event page.
Coconuts Manila went and tried Little Caesars before its grand opening — you can peep our pics and our thoughts on the food here.
Gorge thy stomach and senses on delicious Indian food
Date: Jan. 27, Sunday
Venue: Mercato Centrale, 25th St. cor. 7th Ave. Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City
Indian cuisine is well-loved all over the world, but it can be intimidating for some who aren’t used to spicy food infused with intense aromatics.
The upcoming Indian food festival in BGC’s Mercato Centrale, however, is here to prove that the cuisine is so much more than just chili-fueled curries. Attendees can discover the diversity of Indian food, its regional varieties, and the country’s culture through food booths, cooking demos, and cultural performances. There will even be travel agencies on-site to help visitors plan a trip to India.
The event is organized by the Embassy of India in Manila, so we’d say that’s a pretty legit source.
It starts at 11am and ends at 8pm. Entrance is free.
