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.
Satisfy your inner bookworm
Date: Sept. 12 – 16 (Wednesday – Sunday)
Venue: SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Seashell Ln., Pasay City
The Manila International Book Fair is back for its 39th year starting today, which means a number of bookstores and publishers will once again be cutting down prices on books we actually wanna buy: best-sellers, new releases, and rare literary finds.
National Bookstore will also hold the Book Binge Bazaar at the SMX Convention Center from Friday to Sunday, 10am to midnight.
At the Book Binge Bazaar, all books will be priced at PHP75 (US$1.39), PHP125 (US$2.31), PHP175 (US$3.23), PHP275 (US$5.09), and PHP375 (US$6.93).
Entry into the Manila International Book Fair costs PHP35 (US$.65) per ticket, and it’s definitely worth it, friends.
For more information, visit the Manila International Book Fair Facebook page here.
Count the New Rules live with Dua Lipa
Date: Sept. 14, Friday
Venue: Mall of Asia Arena, Mall of Asia Complex, J.W. Diokno Blvd., Pasay City
It’s finally happening. British singer Dua Lipa’s Manila concert will be held this Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Her Filipino fans have been pretty excited for her arrival since the show was announced four months ago.
The pop singer is known for hits like New Rules and IDGAF. New Rules is a big favorite among her fans, including these Filipino college students who wrote their own version of the song for class and recreated the entire music video. It’s pretty impressive.
Tickets start at PHP1,750 (US$32.34) for general admission and can cost up to PHP7,500 (US$138.61) for patron tickets. Get them at SM Tickets.
Sing along to ’80s pop songs
Date: Sept. 15, Saturday
Venue: Mall of Asia Arena, Mall of Asia Complex, J.W. Diokno Blvd., Pasay City
Titos and titas of Manila (or maybe you’re just an uncle or auntie at heart) — don’t feel like partying with millennials at the Dua Lipa concert? Well, here’s something that might be more to your liking: back-to-back performances of two ’80s pop stars.
Tiffany and Debbie Gibson will be performing at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, a night that will almost certainly turn into one big karaoke party.
Both artists’ hits have been regular staples on Philippine radio until today, like Tiffany’s All This Time and Debbie’s Lost In Your Eyes.
Tickets start at PHP3,710 (US$68.57) for upper box seats. VIP tickets are PHP7,420 (US$137.13). Tickets are available at SM Tickets.
Bring the kiddos to a musical
Date: Sept. 15, 2018 (Saturday) – Jan. 27, 2019 (Sunday)
Venue: Onstage Theatre, 2/F, Greenbelt Mall 1, Paseo de Roxas St., Makati City
Those with young children who prefer a family show can watch Repertory Philippines’ staging of Rapunzel: A Very Hairy Fairy Tale.
A retelling of the classic fairytale, the musical has quirky characters including a Queen named Lady Za Za who locks Rapunzel inside her prison in a tower. Like in the original story, a prince tries to save Rapunzel — but this time, with the help of his hairstylist who is searching for the perfect head of hair.
The show opens on Saturday. Tickets are available at TicketWorld and cost PHP500 (US$9.24) – PHP800 (US$14.78).
Never Forget Film Festival
Date: Sept. 1 (Saturday) – 30 (Sunday)
Venue: Cinema Centenario, 95 Maginhawa St., Diliman, Quezon City
46 years ago this month, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. This began his 14-year authoritarian rule which saw thousands of deaths, human rights violations, and corruption.
In observance of this time in Philippine history, microcinema Cinema Centenario is holding the Never Forget Film Festival. The festival will screen various films that tackle life under martial law including Eskapo by Chito Roño and Respeto by Treb Monteras.
Tickets cost PHP200 (US$3.70). For a list of the films that will be screened all month long, check out this rundown.
Reader Interactions