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.
Shop the best that Negros Island has to offer
Date: Sept. 26 – 30 (Wednesday – Sunday)
Venue: Glorietta Activity Center, Glorietta 3, Parkway Dr., Makati City
Visayas’ Negros Island has a very rich culture, one that is showcased in the Negros Trade Fair happening this week. It’s an event that brings the region’s best food, crafts, and clothing to Manila.
This means there’s no need to get on a 1-hour plane ride to get classic pastries like napoleones, eat regional favorites like chicken inasal, or buy locally made and sourced pantry staples like gourmet tuyo (dried fish) and black pepper.
There will also be hand-woven bags, paintings by local artists, and clothes by local designers.
More information at: The Negros Trade Fair Facebook page
Go around the world in 100 wine bottles
Date: Sept. 28 – 30 (Friday – Sunday)
Venue: Shangri-La Plaza Grand Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Take your weekend wine night up a notch by sampling over 100 bottles by 15 international winemakers from all over the world at the World of Wine fair.
The event is hosted by grocery store Marketplace by Rustan’s and will run from Friday to Sunday at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
More information at: Marketplace by Rustan’s: World of Wine Facebook page
Bonus: Those who prefer beer can go to Brotzeit’s Oktoberfeast event on Saturday instead, which will also be held in Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
Say farewell to a beloved bar
Date: Sept. 29, Saturday
Venue: B-Side, 7274 Malugay St. Makati City
Beloved indie enclave B-Side will soon be closing its doors, but of course, it won’t go without a bang.
Its closing party will be held on Saturday and will have a line up of artists and DJs that include Greyhoundz, Cheats, Toro, and Ras Taro.
Gates open at 7pm and there is no cover charge.
More information at: End of an Era: B-Side Closing Party Facebook event page
Learn what it takes to be a food writer
Date: Sept. 29, Saturday
Venue: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Rada St., Makati City
Everyone’s a foodie nowadays, but it takes serious skills to be a good food writer. Good news is, it can be developed through practice and with the help of experienced writers.
That’s exactly what Will Write for Food offers, a writing workshop designed for aspiring food writers. The featured speaker will be Clinton Palanca, a three-time Palanca Memorial Award Winner who is the editor-at-large of lifestyle website Spot.ph and a contributor for Esquire Philippines.
Course fee: PHP2,000 per participant; pre-registration required.
More information at: Will Write for Food Facebook event page
Catch a Broadway favorite in Manila
Date: Sept. 29 (Saturday) – Oct. 21 (Sunday)
Venue: The Theatre at Solaire, Solaire Resort & Casino, Aseana Ave., Entertainment City, Parañaque City
Those who were left wanting more after watching the film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again earlier this year would be glad to know that Mamma Mia!, the stage musical it was inspired by, is back in Manila.
It’ll be staged at The Theatre at Solaire starting Saturday and will run until Oct. 21.
A Broadway and West End hit, Mamma Mia! tells the story of a girl who invites three of her mother’s ex-boyfriends to her wedding, hoping that one of them is his father. What makes it so memorable, though, is the high-energy choreography set to the hits of Swedish pop group ABBA.
Tickets cost PHP1,550 (US$28.55) – PHP7,000 (US$128.94) and are available on Ticket World.
