WEEKENDS mean family time, and at Pancake House kids dine for free on weekends. From Friday to Sunday, children 12 years old and below with two adult companions can get a free meal.

GETTING INVITED to media wine events is fairly common for a writer like myself, but an invite for an afternoon tasting, and on a very busy working Monday, is normally an automatic “Hell No!” from me. But this invitation came from my good friend Damien Planchenault of the Okada Manila, and the winery being featured in the tasting just happened to be Vega Sicilia. This was more than enough incentive for me to ditch my afternoon office routine last Monday and to drive some 20 kilometers to make the 3 p.m. call time.

REPUBLIC ACT (RA) 11333, or the National Museum of the Philippines Act, takes effect today. The Act clarifies the role of the National Museum.

IF YOU find day-to-day reality terrifying, I’ve found a cure.

IN 1968, Manila City Mayor Antonio J. Villegas commissioned a painting from National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco. The result was Filipino Struggles Through History, composed of a series of four paintings, for the Manila City Hall. The huge mural depicts significant events in the country’s history — from the great Rajahs who ruled Tondo to events in the American period. The artist finished what was to be among his greatest artworks shortly before he died on March 31, 1969. In 1996, the mural was declared a National Cultural Treasure by then National Museum director Gabriel S. Casal.

MUSIC POWER couple Alicia Keys and Kasseem Dean, also known as “Swizz Beatz,” bought paintings by emerging artist Tschabalala Self, whose prices have risen along with her critical acclaim.

CARACAS — Carlos Cruz-Diez, a Venezuelan artist who shaped the field of kinetic and optical art during the 20^th century, died in Paris on Saturday, his foundation said on its website on Sunday. He was 95.

ROBINSONS Land Corp. once again hosts a painting exhibition, Mind Over Matter, which will be held from Aug. 1 to 15 at Level 3, Veranda at Robinsons Galleria.

SUMMER has come to the Northern Hemisphere and that means it’s Shark Week time again. The longest-running cable TV programming returns with shows meant to provide further knowledge and dispel misconceptions about sharks and the efforts to conserve the species.

LOS ANGELES — Imagine Four Weddings and a Funeral without Hugh Grant?

COLOGNE, Germany — Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham return as agent Hobbs and outcast Shaw in Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, their own spin-off in the hugely successful film franchise.

RAPPER Jay-Z, jam band Dead & Co. and folk rocker John Fogerty have pulled out of next month’s Woodstock 50 music festival after the organizer relocated the event to Maryland.