A quick guide to must-see events and performances this Season
The metro is bursting with events—concerts, exhibits, food fairs, and more. With so much happening, there’s hardly enough time to catch it all. Here are some suggested activities you can check out.
Unfold your forever
Now in its sixth edition, Conrad Manila brings back its signature bridal fair, Inspired Beginnings, on June 28 and 29, at the hotel’s Forbes and Taft Ballrooms. Co-presented by Getting Married Wedding Coordinators and Event Planners by Kutchie Zaldarriaga, the bridal fair features the most sought-after designers, stylists, and event professionals for a two-day celebration of wedding artistry, elegance, and inspiration.
“At Conrad Manila, we believe that weddings are more than just events—they are deeply personal and meaningful milestone celebrations that mark the beginning of a couple’s married journey. With Inspired Beginnings, we continue our tradition of curating only the finest for couples who seek an inspiring and memorable experience for the most important day of their lives,” said Conrad Manila general manager Fabio Berto.
Highlights include: Devocion by Francis Libiran, a solo couture show unveiling his latest bridal collection, complemented by the exclusive designer trunk show where couples can try on bridal gowns and groom suits by Libiran; the Grand Finale Fashion Show, a multi-designer runway show directed by Robby Carmona and featuring designs by Rian Fernandez, Manny Halasan, Nat Manilag, Ehrran Montoya, Val Taguba, Vee Tan, and Ryan Ablaza Uson; Art-inspired tablescapes, featuring tablescapes inspired by the works of Filipino masters and visual artists.
Blooms Events by Allen & JP pays tribute to Arturo Luz, while Ginger Gaddi channels the intricate artistry of Olivia D’Aboville. Randy Lazaro draws inspiration from National Artist Hernando Ocampo, and Drew Menor reflects the romantic hues of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.
Dave Sandoval brings the vibrant energy of Mauro Malang, while Tiger Lim interprets the contemporary elegance of Lizanne Uychaco. FJ Sionson embraces the surreal depth of Mark Justiniani, and Kathy Sy-King highlights the sculptural refinement of Impy Pilapil.
Through these artistic inspirations, Inspired Beginnings 2025 honors Filipino creativity, ensuring every wedding setting is a fusion of beauty, culture, and vision.
Get ‘devirginized’
at VLF XX: Hinog
Now on its Encore Week, VLF XX: Hinog continues to put the spotlight on Filipino playwrights and has harvested stories and experiences ripe for the picking. Theater fans and lovers can still watch the 12 virgin plays and three revisited plays until June 29 at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater), with matinee shows at 2:00 p.m. and gala shows at 8:00 p.m.
Celebrating its 20th year, the country’s theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays features five sets of three plays, with each following a central theme based on the different levels of ripeness:
Bubot (Set A: Takbo, Batang Tondo by YOJ, Ang Bata Kag Ang Ilaga by Liane Carlo Suelam, Polar Coordinates by Ade Valenzona); Manibalang (Set B: Minating Ni Mariah Ang Manto Ng Mommy Ni Mama Mary by Eljay Castro Deldoc, Unang Araw by Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo, Presidential Suite #2 by Siege Malvar);
Kinalburo (Set C: Mga Magindara sa Siyudad by Chris Joseph Junio, Ang Problema sa Trolly by Imuthis, The Late Mister Real by Rolin Migyuel Obina); May Asim Pa (Set D: Anniversary by Nelsito Gomez, Don’t Meow for Me, Catriona by Ryan Machado, Mommy G by Jobert Grey Landeza ); and Panghimagas (Set E/Revisited: Identité by Jhudiel Claire Sosa, Pagkapit sa Hangin by Joshua Lim So,Sa Babaeng Lahat by Elise Santos).
Test your faith with ‘Grace’
Catch the restaging of the late playwright Floy Quintos’s final masterpiece, Grace, until June 29 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City.
Directed by Dexter M. Santos, the play is based on the 1948 Marian apparitions in Lipa, Batangas. The story takes us through the journey of the visionary, Teresa. Many flocked to the site, witnessed rose petal showers, were healed of ailments, and renewed their faiths, but despite all these, the said apparitions did not receive official recognition from ecclesiastical authorities in 1951.
Bringing the story to life is the powerhouse ensemble, including Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Matel Patayon, Marynor Madamesila, Raphne Catorce, Jojo Cayabyab, Reb Atadero, Dennis Marasigan, and Leo Rialp.
Experience opera
with CCP’s ‘The Met: LIVE in HD’
Now in its 10th season, The Met: LIVE in HD, a special program by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) on July 1 at 5:30 p.m. at Glorietta 4, Cinema 1, in Makati City.
This comedic opera centers on servants Figaro and Susanna, who are about to marry. The Count and Countess, each with personal reasons, hope to stop the wedding. While trouble lurks in the shadows, Figaro and Susanna juggle shocking truths with their immense love for each other.
Appreciating silent films
The International Silent Film Festival Manila returns this year with a rich tapestry of stories from across cultures and timelines, including Gigantes y Cabezudos (Spain), The Scent of Pheasant’s Eye (Japan), Wie Sich Der Kientopp Rächt, Aschenputtel, and Geschichten von Freiheit und Freundschaft (Germany), Beethoven (Austria), and Fra Diavolo (Italy).
The festival opens on July 11 with a special screening of Japan’s featured film, accompanied by Japanese silent film narrator Nanako Yamauchi, who will provide a live interpretation of the Japanese silent film. This aims to revive the traditional art of benshi (silent film narration) and offer audiences a rare and immersive cultural experience.
The festival runs from July 11 to 13 at Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, with a pocket screening event taking place on July 14 at Cine Adarna, UP Film Center. ISFFM 2025 promises not only a revival of the beloved silent film tradition but also a fresh encounter with its enduring power.
This year’s edition is presented by Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine Italian Association, Japan Foundation Manila, the Austrian Embassy, and the Goethe-Institut Philippinen.
