Rak of Aegis returns

THE hit Pinoy jukebox musical Rak of Aegis returns to the PETA Theater Center, with ongoing performances until Sept. 29. The show brings the songs of the Aegis band such as “Halik,” “Sinta,” and “Basang Basa sa Ulan,” to tell the tale of a perennially flooded barangay. The cast for this event outing of Rak of Aegis is a mix of original cast members including Aicelle Santos and Kim Molina, Isay Alvarez-Seña and Sweet Plantado-Tiongson, Robert Seña and Renz Verano, and Kakai Bautista and Neomi Gonzales. Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph).

World Chocolate Fair

IN CELEBRATION of World Chocolate Day, the first World Chocolate Fair with Auro chocolate desserts will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium on July 5 to 7. Meanwhile, over at the Crimson Hotel, a special Sunday Brunch will be held at Café Eight on July 7, noon to 3 p.m., which will be filled with all things cacao including White Chocolate Baba Ghanoush, Cocoa Rubbed BBQ Pork Ribs, sinful desserts and more. The buffet costs P1,918++ (inclusive of unlimited drinks).

SAFE STEPS Kids

PRUDENCE FOUNDATION’s SAFE STEPS Kids will be launched on July 6-7 at the Manila Ocean Park, Manila. The project leverages Cartoon Network characters to help children understand and remember the steps they should undertake during emergencies or potentially disastrous situations. SAFE STEPS Kids is developed by Prudence Foundation in partnership with Cartoon Network and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the program will be rolled out to schools and communities in the country. Fun and educational activities will be held over the weekend from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., featuring the popular Powerpuff Girls to help raise safety awareness during disasters brought on by fires, floods, typhoons and earthquakes.

Virgin Labfest 15

VIRGIN LABFEST 15 — the 15th iteration of the annual theater festival which focuses on unpublished, untried, and unstaged one-act plays — is ongoing until July 7 at various venues in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex. The lineup includes 12 one-act plays and four sets of staged readings. Tickets are available at the CCP Box Office and TicketWorld (891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph).

Beautiful

BASED on the true story of Carole King’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to rock ‘n’ roll legend, Beautiful features classic songs such as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman.” Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, a production of Atlantis Twenty, runs until July 7 at the Meralco Theater, Pasig City. It stars Kayla Rivera and Nick Varricchio, and is directed by Bobby Garcia. Tickets are available at TicketWorld (891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph).

Japan at the Shang

AN exhibit of Japanese armor is part of Shangri-La Plaza’s celebration of Japanese culture this month.

SHANGRI-LA PLAZA mall celebrates Japan this month with a line up of events that highlight the culture, art, and lifestyle of Japan. Take selfies at some of Japan’s most iconic spots as mall guests are transported to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nara Deer Park Sanctuary. Catch Japanese films as EIGASAI’s 22nd season continues at the Red Carpet theater until July 14. Visit the Art of the Samurai: An exhibit of Modern Crafted Japanese Swords and Armors exhibit by Geisha’s Blade, the country’s online sword shop, from July 7 to 18 at East Atrium. There’s also an Ukiyo-e Art and Tradition exhibit, which showcases delicate woodblock prints, from July 7 to 18 at the East Atrium. The IGA Kendo Club puts on a show on July 6 at the East Atrium. At 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., head over to the Grand Atrium to catch a demonstration of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, one of the oldest Japanese martial arts, by Seguwara Sogo Budo Philippines. Tsugaru shamisen player Keisho Ohno performs at the Grand Atrium on July 6, in a collaboration with the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. Finally, the Nihon Ichi Japanese Market is held daily until July 31 at the Shang Shaw Hallway.

Spanish films

“CONTEMPORÁNEOS,” a film cycle featuring four contemporary Spanish films is being shown at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre in Iloilo City. On July 5, 6 p.m., the cycle will screen the documentary Saura(s) (2017) by Félix Viscarret. The film cycle, which started on July 3, will close on July 6 at 4 p.m., with drama María y los demás (2016). Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

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