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.
Indulge your inner Europhile and cinephile in one sitting
Date: Friday – Tuesday, Sept. 20 to 24
Venue: Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City
Ever wondered what a trip to the Czech Republic, Denmark, or Hungary looks like? Are you a cinephile with a penchant for Fellini films? Or maybe you’re just someone who’s just happy to get free tickets to a film festival. Anyway, if you ticked any of those boxes, then good news: Cine Europa, now on its 22nd year, kicks off this Friday, featuring 12 films from 12 European Union countries. The program is covering everything from a Leonardo Da Vinci biopic to a Norwegian period piece, and a Hungarian New-Year’s-Eve-with-friends movie, among others.
Come early, because admission is free, and cinema seats are on a first come, first served basis. Visit Cine Europa’s Facebook page for more details.
See a musical that’ll get you believing in miracles again
Date: Friday – Sunday, Sept. 20 to Oct. 20
Venue: Power MAC Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati, Makati City
Back on our side of the archipelago, award-winning play Himala (Miracle) is returning for a month-long stage run in Makati City.
Based on a true story, and adapted from the iconic 1982 film of the same name, Himala tells the story of Elsa, a woman from the countryside who catches the village’s attention when she supposedly sees the Virgin Mary and subsequently performs miraculous acts. The film and this stage play explore religious themes and the fine line between delusion and belief.
Written by Ricky Lee and Vincent A. De Jesus and directed for the stage by Ed Lacson, Jr., its won best musical, best direction, and best set design at the Gawad Buhay Awards.
Ticket prices start at PHP1,000 (US$19), available at Ticketworld.
See what half a century of Philippine performance art looks like
Date: Saturday – Sunday, Sept. 20 to 21
Venue: CCP Main Theater, Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
The Cultural Center of the Philippines, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, presents Bulawan (“gold” in Cebuano), a two-day gala showcasing a curated selection of art performances featuring the Philippine Ballet Theatre, UST Symphony Orchestra, Philippine Folk Dance Company, and Tanghalang Pilipino.
Local theater favorites Monique Wilson and Audie Gemora are also set to make an appearance.
Ticket prices start at PHP300 (US$5), available at Ticketworld.
Thrill-cringe-gasp-repeat at Cinema ’76 when you watch Parasite
Date: Friday – Thursday, Sept. 20 to 26
Venue: Cinema ’76 Film Society, 160 Luna Mencias St. Brgy Addition Hills, San Juan City
Screening at one of the few independently-run cinemas in the country (read: not inside a mall), Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller from Bong Joon Hoo, the same guy who directed Okja and Snowpiercer. If those two films are any indication as to the level of unsettledness you get while watching the movie, then don’t expect Parasite to be “easy viewing.”
Parasite explores social class discrimination between the wealthy Park family and the struggling-to-get-by Kim family. The two clans then forge a chilling and curious symbiotic relationship that gives the film its name.
Ticket prices start at PHP200 (US$3), and are available at the cinema box office. For more information, check out Cinema ’76 Film Society’s Facebook page.
Get a one-day ticket to K-Pop town
Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
Venue: Philippine Arena, Ciudad de Victoria, Santa Maria City, Bulacan
Rainbows in Asia Music Festival is claiming to be the “K-Pop Super Concert” of the year — headlined by performances from eight South Korean acts: Winner, Mamamoo, AB6IX, Oh My Girl, Park Bom, Zboys Zgirls, and Kriesha Chu.
Hosted by former 2NE1 band member Sandara Park, and our resident “Pinoy-Korean” Ryan Bang, the K-Pop event is booked at the country’s largest indoor arena, a 2-hour drive from Manila. Worth the bother? If you’re a K-pop fan, there’s no need to ask.
Ticket prices start at PHP500 (US$9), available at Ticketworld.
Read more Coconuts Manila articles here.
Reader Interactions