Your Weekend Guide (February 1, 2019)
Pasinaya 2019
THE LARGEST multi-arts festival, in the country organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), will be held from Feb. 1 to 3 at the CCP grounds. The festival has a see-all-you-can-and-pay-what-you-can scheme where one can watch unlimited shows. The program includes performances by CCP resident companies, a street parade, and free museum hopping. For inquiries, call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-3704 or 832-3706. For the schedule of activities, visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
Eto Na! Musical nAPO! returns
THE musical comedy Eto Na! Musical nAPO! about seven friends who join a songwriting and singing contest returns to the stage from Feb. 2 to March 17 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig city. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).
Chinese New Year at Edsa Shangri-la Plaza
DRAGON DANCES, fashion shows, Chinese painting workshops, musical programs, and lots of Chinese movies are activities in store for the Chinese New Year festivities at the Shangri-La Plaza mall. The 13th Spring Film Festival will be held until Feb. 5 at the mall’s new Red Carpet cinema giving everyone free access to the best of Chinese film. On Feb. 2, 2 p.m., the Chinese Musical event will showcase the talent of Chinese-Filipino youth in singing and dancing; a fireworks show is scheduled at 8 p.m. with a dragon eye-dotting ceremony and ceremonial blessing, along with a lively dragon and lion dance. Dragon and lion dances will be held around the mall on Feb. 5. On Feb. 3, 2 p.m., there will be a Chinese Painting Workshop with the president and vice-president of the Art Association of the Philippines, Fidel M. Sarmiento and Roger Santos. A Dragon & Lion Dance Exhibition by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation will be held on Feb. 10, 2 p.m., at the Grand Atrium. For inquiries, call 370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.
Chinese New Year at Lucky Chinatown
MEGAWORLD Lifestyle Malls’ Lucky Chinatown in Binondo starts the celebration with the Prosperity Fair at the mall’s Atrium, with lucky charms, Chinese delicacies, and other novelty items for sale until Feb. 10. Discounts of up to 70% and other deals will be offered by participating shops and dining establishments during the Lucky Sale from Feb. 1 to 3. And for every P2,000 receipt from Feb. 1 to 10, visitors can get a lucky ang pao, which contains instant rewards and prizes. The Meisic Street Food Market featuring Chinese cuisine, street food, and more will be up until Feb. 10. To mark National Arts Month, the mall is also hosting the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’s Ani ng Sining: The Philippine Arts Festival on Feb. 3 at the Atrium. There will be live performances on Feb. 2 with rock jazz group Sud at the Lucky Chinatown Atrium at 6 p.m., followed by the Taiwanese band EggPlantEgg. Lucky Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Countdown will be held on Feb. 4, starting at 6 p.m. at the Atrium with performances by I Belong to The Zoo, Janine Teñoso, Bret Jackson, and James Reid. The celebration continues at Lucky Chinatown Walk from 9 p.m. with performances by This Band, Quest, and KZ Tandingan, who will spearhead the countdown celebration to midnight when a fireworks display will light up the sky, followed by a special astrological forecast segment by Johnson Chua. Traditional Lion and Dragon Dances and cultural presentations by Chinese schools and Filipino–Chinese organizations are set on Chinese New Year’s Day, Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. onwards. For details call the mall concierge at 576-8139 or visit www.LuckyChinatownCNY2019.com.
F.V. Coching at the CCP
THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) takes part in the centennial celebration of National Artist for Visual Arts Francisco V. Coching via the exhibition, Nasaan Ka Na, Mara-Bini: Tracing Liberation and Empowerment in the Stories of F.V. Coching’s Rebel Daughters. The exhibit is on view for free by the public until April 7 at the CCP’s Pasilyo Vicente Manansala. Nasaan Ka Na, Mara-Bini is also be a part of the CCP’s Women’s Month celebration in March, and its upcoming Performatura Festival in April. For details visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
Chinese New Year at SM Supermalls
AT SM’s Prosperity Bazaar, find lucky fruits, plush toys, and trinkets for decorating personal spaces until Feb. 5. At SM malls, families can watch Prosperity Performances like the Lion and Dragon Dance and Feng Shui Master, as well as a Chinese Character Parade on Feb. 2, 3, and 5. Also, scan QR codes in participating SM malls for the Digital Hongbao where one can win special prizes. Scan as many codes possible to redeem more gifts until Feb. 5! Check out SM’s Facebook Page for details.
