PETA Theater presents Ang Buhay ni Galileo, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m., at the Raja Sulayman Theater, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. The play is a Filipino translation of Bertolt Brecht play about one of the more controversial astronomers of the Renaissance. Directed by Rody Vera, it features Joel Lamangan, Upeng Galang Fernandez, and Randy Villarama. Tickets (P600) are available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

RESORTS World Manila and W Pagemanx Exclusive Management presents TYGA — Live in Manila on Dec. 1, 9 p.m., at House Manila, Remington Hotel Resorts World Manila. Tickets to the rapper’s show are P3,500. Patrons must be at least 18 years old. Tickets are available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Ballet Philippines presents Edna Vida’s The Nutcracker, a retelling of the holiday classic set in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. It runs from Dec. 1 to 10 at the CCP Main Theater. Tickets available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

COMIC Jon Santos stars in Laugh Wins on Dec. 2, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Resorts World Manila. Directed by Joaquin Valdes, the show features special guests Mitch Valdes and Isprikitik Improv. Tickets available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

BALLET MANILA presents the ballet Snow White on Dec. 2 and 3 at the Aliw Theater, Cultural Center of the Phlippines Complex. Choreographed by Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. Tickets are available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

ATLANTIS Theatrical Entertainment Group presents Tony award-winning Matilda the Musical, adapted from Roald Dahl’s children’s novel of the same name about a little girl with extraordinary powers who finds refuge from her abusive parents and her school’s cruel headmistress in library books. The show runs until Dec. 10 at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas Ave., Pasig City. Tickets are available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

REPERTORY Philippines Children’s Theater presents the musical Beauty and the Beast at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City until Dec. 14. Joy Virata directs the classic story. Tickets are available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

THE 1960s celebration of drugs, sex, love, and peace, Hair — presented by Repertory Philippines — has performances until Dec. 17 at the Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City. The musical is directed by Chris Millado and choreographed by PJ Rebulida. Tickets are available at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

MEGAWORLD LIFESTYLE malls have set up Christmas Playville gingerbread areas which will be up until Jan. 4. Mascot characters meet-and-greet are scheduled on December at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m., at Eight Forbes Town, Forbes Town; Uptown Mall in Uptown Bonifacio; and Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila. The mascots include Thomas and Friends, Tobot, DCSHG, Ben 10, PPG, Shopkins, and more.

IN QUEZON City, the Vertis North mall’s façade shines with a giant cathedral covered with lights for the holidays daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 8.

MEGAWORLD’S Venice Grand Canal brings back the Parata Di Natale or Grand Christmas Parade with Venetian masquerades and mimes, a marching band, and popular mascots from children’s shows. The parade will run every Saturday at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Kids get to meet popular characters like Robo Carpoli, PJ Masks, Pokemon, Barbie, Peppa Pig, the Silvanian Families and more. Meanwhile, a Venetian Christmas Concierto will be held at the Ponte de Amore Bridge every Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. There are also Christmas Fairs daily, plus a fireworks show over the Grand Canal every weekend at 7 p.m. Christmas Bear displays for photo opportunities are located near the Christmas Tree and around the mall. For more information, call the Venice Grand Canal Concierge at 624-1971, 0917-512-9934 or veniceconcierge@megaworld-lifestyle.com).

RESORTS WORLD MANILA’s Christmas offerings for this season include concerts, a play, and Instagrammable attractions. Adorned with 100,000 multi-colored LED bulbs, Lumina is a tunnel of lights connecting Newport Mall and Maxims Hotel. Complementing the 110-meter Lumina is the giant Christmas tree at The Plaza, Newport Mall. Taking the “Fanstasy Funfair” theme for its annual Grand Fiesta Manila celebrations, RWM has announced that its show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been extended until February 2018. Other shows at the Newport Performing Arts Theater are Bamboo’s The Oven Tour (With a Twist of Christmas) on Dec. 7; Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza’s 20/30 on Dec. 8; Manila Sound with Hotdog on Dec. 13, and Aegis’s Ating Sayawin on Dec. 20. The party will culminate on Dec. 31 with the annual New Year’s Eve countdown featuring Lani Misalucha, Arnel Pineda, Darren Espanto, Giselle Sanchez, and Jon Santos.

CHILDREN can try their hand at decorating a gingerbread house among other activities at The Pen’s Santa’s Workshop.

THE PENINSULA Manila’s annual family holiday classes called Santa’s Workshop offer a chance to decorate gingerbread houses, paint Paete taka horses, and create plush Christmas tree ornaments. There will be two sessions on Dec. 2, at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Prices are P2,000++ for one child and one accompanying adult with an additional P1,000++ for every additional companion. At the end of the Santa’s Workshop session everyone gets to bring home their masterpieces. Children also get to enjoy all the popcorn, cookies, cakes and hot chocolate they want while there will be gluehwein for the adults. For inquiries, call 887 2888, extension 6694 (Restaurant Reservations), 7410 (Festive Desk), e-mail diningpmn@peninsula.com or visit peninsula.com.

DEC. 3 will see four top chefs working in tandem in an exclusive eight hands six-course Auro Chocolate-inspired benefit dinner at The Peninsula Manila’s Old Manila restaurant, featuring the hotel’s chef de cuisine Allan Briones and executive pastry Chef Xavier Castello, and chefs Josh Boutwood of The Test Kitchen and Chele Gonzalez of Gallery Vask. The Beyond Bean-to-Bar: Chocolate-Inspired Dinner is priced at P5,000 where dinner guests get to adopt an organically grown Criollo cacao tree in Davao and help a small community of retired marines that have traded in their arms to farm cacao trees. For details, call 887-2888, extension 6694 (Restaurant Reservations), e-mail diningpmn@peninsula.com.

PRESENTE is a pop-up event by ArteFino that focuses on gift giving that supports and promotes Filipino craftsmanship. On offer are Philippine artisanal products from over 30 brands. The event will be co-presented by Power Plant Mall in celebration of “Christmas at Rockwell.” The collection also covers a broad price range to ensure that there is something for every budget. Gift delivery services will also be offered during the pop-up. Presente: A Holiday Pop-up by ArteFino runs from Dec. 1-31, at the R2 Level of Power Plant Mall. Proceeds will go to the HeArteFino Development Program.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR