Last chance to watch Virgin Labfest XXI plays
THREE of the most talked-about plays from Virgin Labfest (VLF) XXI: Hubo’t Hubad are returning for a special one-night-only performance. The featured plays are Patayin Ang Mga Surot by Floyd Scott Tiongangco, Lualhati by Gab Mactal, and Taksyapo! by John Lapus, all from different sets during the original run. The performances will take place on Aug. 7, 8 p.m., at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), CCP Complex, in Pasay City. Tickets are priced at P1,200.
Learn about space through an interactive exhibit
FOR Philippine Space Week, the Philippine Space Agency is holding an exhibit in Araneta City titled The 2026 Philippine Space. With interactive features, the event highlights the country’s advancements in satellite technology, space data applications, and scientific milestones. It is located at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2 and is free and open to the public.
Watch Korean films at SM Cinemas
THE 2026 Korean Film Festival is celebrating the power of Korean storytelling, with screenings on Aug. 7 to 9 at participating SM Cinemas including SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM City Iloilo, and SM Lanang Premier. This year’s lineup showcases stories that have successfully made the journey from page to screen: Your Letter, Love in the Big City, My Daughter is a Zombie, Omniscient Reader, and Yumi’s Cells: The Movie. Under the theme “K-Story: Stories that Move Us,” the festival celebrates the universal language of storytelling and the creative connections between literature, webtoons, and cinema. It is presented by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines in collaboration with the Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and SM Cinema. For updates and schedule details, visit KCC’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Catch a Cinemalaya film or two
THE 22nd edition of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is screening full-length and short films once more at the Shangri-La Plaza mall in Mandaluyong City, from Aug. 7 to 18, marking Cinemalaya’s longest run ever as it spans two weekends. It also includes talkbacks, book launches, and the Philippine Premiere section, where newly made films will make their screen debut. With the theme “Reel Reflections,” the festival has nine full-length films and 10 short features in competition. Running concurrently with Cinemalaya from Aug. 7 to 15 also at the Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas is the 38th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Southeast Asia’s longest-running independent film competition. Showcasing works across Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation, the competition champions alternative forms of cinema and provides emerging filmmakers with a platform to push creative boundaries. Tickets for Cinemalaya films cost P350. Screenings of Gawad Alternatibong films are free. For more details, visit the CCP and Cinemalaya websites and social media pages.
Check out Lexus’ flagship luxury vehicles
LEXUS Philippines is inviting guests to discover two of its flagship luxury vehicles at the Lexus Pop-up Display from Aug. 7 to 9 at the Main Atrium of Robinsons Magnolia. The three-day showcase brings together the brand’s latest electrified innovations alongside lifestyle experiences for visitors. Headlining the display are the Lexus LM and the Lexus RX Executive. Beyond the vehicle display, visitors can enjoy a selection of on-site experiences throughout the weekend. Guests may personalize their Lexus shirts and caps through a custom embroidery service available for both existing and newly purchased Lexus apparel, and receive a limited-edition Lexus dog collar charm, while supplies last.
Try Asian flavors at Asian Eats 2026
ASIA SOCIETY PHILIPPINES is set to host Asian Eats 2026, its flagship culinary festival, at Mandaluyong’s Shangri-La Plaza from Aug. 7 to 9. The three-day celebration will bring together the flavors, traditions, and diverse cultures of Asia under one roof. Transforming the mall’s Grand Atrium into a dynamic cultural hub, Asian Eats 2026 will offer visitors authentic culinary showcases, live cultural performances, and interactive activities. The festival will gather diplomatic missions, cultural institutions, local businesses, and food lovers to honor Asian culinary heritage. Festivalgoers can enjoy authentic dishes and specialty products presented by participating embassies and their partner merchants, including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. There will be demonstrations by chef LV Wei of the Embassy of China, the Indian Women in Enterprise, Coco Mama, Kikkoman featuring chef Bruce Lim, and NutriAsia with chef Gerick Manalo, each showcasing unique flavors, techniques, and culinary traditions from across Asia. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact 8550-2612 or e-mail [email protected]
Catch a Laguna theater production in UP Diliman
FOLLOWING a successful launch in Biñan last December, Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet is being staged at the KAL-IBG Theater, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, in Quezon City, marking a major landmark for Laguna-grown YPC Stage in its maiden touring production outside its home province. The production weaves together three one-act plays exploring themes of love, boundaries, and hidden truths, directed by BJ Borja and penned by acclaimed playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc. Audiences can catch the regular weekend runs at either 2 or 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 and 9, with a special gala performance scheduled for Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online via ticket2me.net/mapanakit. For inquiries, group bookings, block sales, or sponsorships, interested parties can call 0917-870-0496.
Enjoy jewelry while raising funds for charity
LOCAL BRANDS and artists invite jewelry and art enthusiasts, collectors, and investors to the Light, Love, Legacy: A Jewelry Soirée on Aug. 8, 3 p.m., at the SoFA Design Institute, Proscenium Retail Row in Makati City. The event features a jewelry talk, showcase, and auction. It aims to celebrate the significance and rich history of Philippine jewelry artistry and craft. Organized by St. Theresa’s College Quezon City alumni Batch ’02 in partnership with the Guild of Philippine Jewellers, Inc., the activity will be raising funds to support educational programs and tuition of scholars of the Sambayan Educational Foundation, Inc., as well as provide support to Queen of Peace, the home of elderly nuns from the school. Gigi Bermejo from Maria Angelica MNL; Fai Co and Knoi Esmane from Hoseki Jewelry Art; Maureen Yap from House of Amira Lakshmi; and Jay Cadayona and Kat Nantes from Love, Kat & Jay Jewelry who will be talking about the stories, craft, and inspiration behind their signature creations. There will also be collections from other jewelry and art brands, including Ocampo’s Fine Jewelry, Piesa, SilverWorks, Luxapalooza Jewelry and Accessories, and Pulido by Charming Baldemor Studios. Visitors will also be able to bid for a 1800 Spanish colonial necklace of tambourin beads and pearls (starting at P65,000), a citrine ring surrounded by old mine cut diamonds set in 14-karat gold (starting at P85,000), a carved wooden handbag (starting at P69,000), an event exclusive abstract painting collection by artist Kankan Ramos (starting at P50,000), or a painting from abstract artist Lala Jara Tuazon (starting at P35,000). Tickets to the event cost P3,000 which includes access to the jewelry talk, showcase, and auction, with complimentary cocktails; and P4,500 which includes access to a personalized valuation and consultation with the designers when they bring their old jewelry and a complimentary ambigram design. For tickets, visit https://stcqc02-lightlovelegacy.com.
Watch ASEAN dancers, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines
DANCE ENTHUSIASTS can watch the culminating performance of the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA) 2026 for free on Aug. 9, 6 p.m., at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. The conference’s young participating artists will join Alice Reyes Dance Philippines in performing excerpts from Rama, Hari that evening. BOAPA is ongoing daily until Aug. 9 in Manila and Los Baños, Laguna. Organized by the Philippines’ ASEAN National Committee on Culture and Information – Sub Committee on Culture, the event is a platform for young artists to bond and deepen their understanding of the various cultures that make ASEAN interconnected.
See the 4th part in the Babae sa Septic Tank franchise
THE Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) presents Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live sa Cheter! which is ongoing until Aug. 16 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.) at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. The franchise started with a film starring comic Eugene Domingo playing a heightened version of herself which skewered the indie movie scene. It was followed by another film and a hit series, all of which starred Ms. Domingo. She returns for the fourth entry in the series, this time a play which looks at the messy, hilarious, and painful process of making theater in the Philippines today. Also in the cast are Meann Espinosa, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Andoy Ranay, JC Santos, Melvin Lee, Marlon Rivera (who directed the first three installments), and Joshua Lim So. It is directed by Maribel Legarda. Tickets are available via TicketWorld. Ticket prices range from P1,800 to P3,500.
Play at Ortigas Malls’ Kidtopia
PLAY and learning are coming together with Kidtopia Mini Stations, which are open at GH Mall until Aug. 31 and at Estancia until Sept. 30. This educational and interactive experience is designed to keep kids engaged and also create memories with family. There is a Kid Sensory Station and Mini Competition Stations where kids can play, learn, and make new friends. Shoppers must present a P3,000 single receipt to get access to the Kidtopia Mini Stations. Children will also get a Kids Passport to collect stamps and enjoy rewards with every visit.
Take a printmaking class at The M
THE Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) is holding a series of printmaking workshops every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., until November. Open to beginners and experienced makers alike (ages 12 and above), these hands-on workshops introduce a range of printmaking techniques while encouraging participants to create original prints and experiment with color and editions. Led by printmakers Ambie Abaño, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Jone Sibugan, and Anton Villaruel, registration for the series is still open. For more information and additional inquiries on the workshops, contact The M’s Education Officer, Pat Zulueta, at [email protected]. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila is at the MK Tan Center, 30th St., BGC, Taguig. It is open from Tuesdays to Fridays at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on public holidays.
Dress in yukatas, play games at Mitsukoshi
MITSUKOSHI MALL in BGC, Taguig is marking its 3rd year with activities and promotions running throughout the month. For customers looking to immerse themselves in Japanese tradition, the Yukata Dressing Experience is held every Saturday until Aug. 15. Eligible shoppers can enjoy a complete yukata fitting complemented by hairstyling and light makeup, making for a memorable cultural experience while exploring the mall. On Aug. 29, Co. Collectibles hosts the Summer Paper Theater Activity featuring Ensky’s signature Japanese papercraft kits, allowing participants to build layered miniature scenes inspired by the season. The following day, Pottery Sessions presents Ceramic Wishes: A Tanabata Pottery Experience, where guests can paint, decorate, and personalize ceramic pieces inspired by Japanese and Filipino motifs, or try the pottery wheel for a hands-on introduction to the craft. Throughout August, visitors can also discover pop-ups celebrating craftsmanship from both countries. EDYA1929 showcases contemporary fashion made from vintage Japanese kimonos and obis, while Frankie General Store highlights garments crafted from woven Philippine textiles.
Enjoy some Tennessee Williams drama
THEATER GROUP Porvenir is presenting a Filipino adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke called El Fuego del Alma, which has been reimagined within a Philippine context. Adapted by playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc and directed by Mark Mirando, the play follows Alma Ortega, a woman caught between spiritual devotion and earthly desire. It stars Nour Hooshmand, Hariette Mozelle, and Opaline Santos alternating as Alma, and Sandino Martin and Vincent Pajara as Juanito. Also in the cast are Madeleine Nicolas, Rolando Inocencio, Sheryll Ceasico, JP Lopez, Janna Cortes, Ingrid Joyce, Johnny Maglinao, and Tristan Bite. El Fuego del Alma has performances on Aug. 21-23 at Sine Pop, 14 St. Mary St., Cubao, Quezon City, at 7 p.m. on Friday, and 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are priced at P1,800 through Ticket2Me.
