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.
Discuss deep topics with total strangers
Date: March 1, Friday
Venue: Commune, 36 Polaris St., Poblacion, Makati City
Back after last week’s packed event, this weekend sees round two of Skip The Small Talk, an event series which has strangers engage in deep discussions.
It’s part networking event and part game, as the conversations are led by a deck of So Cards — cards with 52 questions that were formulated to make people think and open up to each other. Sample questions include: “What are some common assumptions that people have about you that aren’t necessarily true?” and “What’s something you’ve said or done that still makes you cringe?”
The event will be held at Commune cafe in Poblacion, Makati and starts at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm and those who arrive after 8pm can’t join the activity.
Entrance is priced at PHP300 (US$5.78) and is available on site or through Eventbrite.
For more information, event page here.
Go to a music festival by the beach
Date: March 1 & 2 (Friday & Saturday)
Venue: White Beach, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival is now on its 9th year, and like always, it’s bringing together local and international musicians and DJs in a two-day event on Puerto Galera’s white sandy beaches.
This year’s lineup is headlined by American singer, pianist, and record producer Robert Glasper and will also include American DJ Taylor McFerrin, Filipino lyrical rapper Ruby Ibarra, local indie rock band IV of Spades, and Filipino reggae band CoffeeBreak Island.
Works by visual artists will also be showcased throughout the festival.
A ticket for Friday is priced at PHP2,000 (US$38.53), while tickets for Saturday is PHP2,500 (US$48.16). A 2-day pass costs PHP4,000 (US$77.05). They are available on the Malasimbo website.
For more information, visit the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival Facebook page.
Catch a #throwback musical
Date: March 1, Friday – April 7, Sunday
Venue: Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City
Ang Huling El Bimbo the musical is back this month and will once again bring to life hits by Filipino rock band Eraserheads. The show debuted last year, to mixed reviews from critics, but was generally liked by audiences. It tells the story of three guys who meet in college during the ’90s and a secret they share about their friend Joy.
It will once again be staged in the Newport Performing Arts Theater throughout March and the start of April. Tickets are priced at PHP1,000 (US$19.27) – PHP3,500 (US$67.42) and are available on Ticket World.
Take a walk down history lane
Date: March 2, Saturday
Venue: Intramuros, Manila
Manila has a storied past, which can be seen in the capital’s historic buildings and rundown ruins. Each place tells a story and the one tour company Don’t Skip Manila wants to look back on this week is about war.
Wartime Manila: Intramuros Tour will have attendees visit Manila landmarks like Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine, and Manila Cathedral while learning about the Battle of Manila during World War II. The battle destroyed Manila’s architecture and heritage and its impact can be felt until today.
The tour ends with Manila Transitio 2019, an event that commemorates the battle with a public picnic, art exhibition, community ritual, and an open-air concert.
The tour starts at 2pm in Fort Santiago and is priced at PHP300 (US$5.78).
For more information, visit the Wartime Manila: Intramuros Tour Facebook event page.
Catch two ballet performances in one night
Date: March 2 & 3 (Saturday & Sunday), March 9 & 10 (Saturday & Sunday)
Venue: ALIW Theater, CCP Complex, Vicente Sotto St., Pasay City
Deux, Ballet Manila’s upcoming show, is proof that ballet has many faces.
It’s a doubleheader that can appeal to all kinds of viewers as it features “Les Sylphides” a classical romantic ballet set to the music of Frederic Chopin, and “The Winding Road,” a ballet set to the songs of The Beatles.
Tickets are available on Ticket World and are priced at PHP515 (US$9.92) – PHP1,545 (US$29.76).
For more information, visit the Ballet Manila Facebook page.
