Watch the rock opera ballet Tales of the Manuvu
ALICE REYES Dance Philippines (ARDP), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines (UP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is restaging Tales of the Manuvu this month and next. Premiered in 1977, this production is the first Filipino rock opera ballet, weaving indigenous mythology with rock and pop music. There will be performances at the University Theater, UP Diliman, on Feb. 27 and 28, followed by a limited run at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati, on March 28 and 29. It was created by legendary Filipino artists: National Artist Alice Reyes’ direction and choreography; National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera’s libretto; and OPM icon Dero Pedero’s score, with additional music by the rock band Afterbirth. Admission to the UP performances is free, though registration is required via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tales-of-the-manuvu-tickets-198241577896. The Proscenium shows have different price ranges: P2,500 to P5,000 for the March 28 fundraising gala; and P1,800 to P3,000 for the regular performance on March 29.
Learn about Chinese traditional art
IN LINE with its ongoing exhibit Beyond Tradition: Evolving Chinese-Filipino Visions, the Gateway Gallery is set to host an art workshop about Chinese traditional art on Feb. 28, starting at 3 p.m. It will be facilitated by Prof. Arnulfo Esguerra, one of the exhibiting artists and a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines Manila. The talk will take place at the Gateway Gallery, on Level 5 of Gateway Tower, Araneta City, Quezon City. Admission is free.
Enjoy Art FriDates
THE last two performances of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Art FriDates, a series of cultural events scheduled every Friday of Arts Month, will feature Quezon Province on Feb. 27, and Muntinlupa City on March 6, at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Roxas Blvd. corner Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pasay City. The program serves as a platform for participating local government units (LGUs) to showcase their distinct art forms, traditions, and cultural initiatives, with the aim of fostering artistic excellence and strengthening cultural appreciation.
Celebrate Japanese culture
THE Japan Foundation, Manila presents the Nihongo Fiesta 2026 on Feb. 28 at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City. This annual event offers the public an opportunity to experience and appreciate the Japanese language, arts, and culture through a variety of engaging activities. A highlight will be the Nihongo Speech Contest, featuring seven presenters from across the Philippines who will share their heartfelt messages with the audience. It will be followed by the 3rd Kobanashi Festival, which includes a rakugo (storytelling) performance by Master Ryūtei Saryū and a demonstration with remarks from Associate Professor Yonemoto Kazuhiro of Tokyo Gakugei University. Festivities will conclude with cultural performances of toramai (tiger dance) and shishiodori (deer dance), two distinct but related dances from Japan’s Tohoku region performed to pray for peace, ward off evil spirits, and ensure bountiful harvests.
Watch some 3×3 basketball
IN LINE with the launch of the Kai 3 “Mentality,” Anta Philippines will be having a 3×3 basketball tournament featuring players from UAAP and NCAA at the Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2 on Feb. 28, 10 a.m.
Watch The Sandbox Collective’s Spring Awakening
ONGOING until March 22 at the Proscenium Blackbox Theater in Rockwell, Makati City, is The Sandbox Collective’s season opener, the Tony Award-winning rock musical Spring Awakening. With book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, the production is based on the Frank Wedekind play of the same name. Set in 19th century Germany, it tells the stories of teenagers exploring their burgeoning sexualities and rapidly changing bodies. This version is directed by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, with musical direction by Ejay Yatco. It also marks The Sandbox Collective’s first production under the leadership of its new artistic director, Sab Jose. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Ana Abad Santos share the role of Adult Woman while Audie Gemora plays the Adult Man. Alongside them are Nacho Tambunting and Alex Diaz who share the role of Melchior Gabor; Nic Chien and Omar Uddin who alternate as Moritz Stiefel; and Sheena Belarmino who plays Wendla Bergmann. Spring Awakening is the inaugural show of The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me (tinyurl.com/SandboxSpring2026).
Listen to Christian Bautista’s new song
BALLADEER Christian Bautista is exploring a fresh sonic direction, pairing nostalgic pop with a stylish, contemporary edge. His new single, “Sa’yo Lamang,” is a romantic love song that makes use of city pop grooves. It is produced by international producer Ziv. “Sa’yo Lamang” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.
Get nostalgic with Bagets the Musical
BAGETS THE MUSICAL, a stage adaptation of the 1984 coming-of-age film Bagets, follows a group of high school friends navigating adolescence, family, friendship, and young love. This production by Newport World Resorts, The Philippine Star, and VIVA Communications, is directed by Maribel Legarda, with a book by J-mee Katanyag and music by Vince Lim. The five leads are played by Sam Shoaf, Milo Cruz, Noel Comia, Jr., Ethan David, and Andres Muhlach. They alternate with Jeff Moses, Migo Valid, Tomas Rodriguez, KD Estrada, and Mico Hendrix Chua. Also in the cast are Neomi Gonzales, Natasha Cabrera, Mayen Cadd, Ring Antonio, and Carla Guevara Laforteza. Bagets the Musical runs until March at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay City. Tickets, ranging in price from P1,000 to P4,000, are now available at the Newport World Resorts Box Office and via TicketWorld.
Listen to Hara’s pre-debut single
A P-POP export from Davao City, the six-member girl group Hara has released their pre-debut single, “My Love.” The group is steadily gaining attention for their stage presence and charisma, their name derived from a pre-colonial term that means both beauty and strength. Managed by Unique Music Management, led by Paul Widger, their new pop track under Sony Music Entertainment is now available on streaming platforms.
Travel the world with the Brickman Wonders
GMG PRODUCTIONS announced that the Manila leg of the global tour of the exhibition Brickman Wonders of the World has been extended until March 8 at The Space at Solaire. It features over 45 iconic landmarks from across the globe, all brought to life in LEGO brick form. Visitors can walk through recreations of famous sites such as the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Arc de Triomphe, and many more. Tickets are available exclusively on TicketWorld.
Listen to rapper Barq’s new single
UNDER the moniker Barq, rapper Arkin Magalona has dropped his latest single, “TUMATAK,” under Sony Music Entertainment. The track chronicles his journey as a young artist determined to make it in the industry, and is more reflective and intimate than his previous works. The song was recorded at Doppla Studio and produced by longtime collaborator Denz A.K.A D. Vaughn. It is out now on all digital streaming platforms.
Do not sing along with Les Miz
THAT is the plea of GMG Productions which has brought Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular, a reimagined staged concert production of the iconic musical, to the Philippines. “Let the cast tell the story,” it exhorts. That cast includes Filipinos: Lea Salonga and Red Concepcion as the Thénardiers, Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, and Emily Bautista as Éponine. The expanded concert-like format features a new design and production enhanced with new set and lighting designs, bringing Cameron Mackintosh’s critically acclaimed production to life on a scale never seen before in Manila, with a company and crew of over 110, including an international all-star cast and a large ensemble of musicians. Les Misérables runs at the Theater at Solaire, Solaire Resort & Casino, Entertainment City, Aseana Ave., Parañaque until March 1, with no extensions possible. As of now, all 48 shows are sold out. But keep checking as you never know.
