MANILA, PHILIPPINES —  How does one stand up to an oppressor, especially when it’s oppression created by structural and societal imposition? Dulaang UP‘s Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba shows that and more. In what is essentially a battle of classes, sizes, and scale, Rosang Taba (Kiki Baento), a servant at the household of Governor-General, stands up to Spanish Commandant Jaime Alonzo Pietrado y Villareal’s (Victor Sy) insults of Filipinos being lazy, uneducated, uncivilized pagans. That Filipinos are “animal-like” is not something Rosa could let pass; she audaciously tells th ..read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Summer has dawned in the Philippines in startling temperatures, pushing people to the cool comfort of malls, consuming ice-cold drinks, and longing for refreshing dips in the pool or the serene blue ocean.   Environments like this call for escapism, brought on by gripping mysteries, swoon-worthy romances and immersive memoirs from Fully Booked‘s list of recommendations. These summer reads are perfect for lazy days that transport you away from the heat, and into an entirely new world. Scorching pageturners: I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Sutanto  When it come ..read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A perfectly manicured and barely full plate is far from the usual look of quintessential Filipino cuisine. Yet, this was the set-up for the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts’ celebration of Filipino Food, Higara, held at the Sheraton Hotel on April 24. Higara, a term for Filipinos’ love for communal dining, featured six courses prepared by three Filipina chefs. Kicking the dinner off was a Cordilleran dish, the Pinikpikan Rillete, which Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco described as traditionally macho, and cooked with brashness. “I always say one of the ingre ..read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Celebrating the 60 years of bilateral relations between the European Union and the Philippines, The Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas hosted “Sounds of Celebration: Sixty Years of EU-Philippines Relations.” The event took place at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes OP Building (BGPOP), University of Santo Tomas, on April 26, featuring seven exceptional choral groups from all over the Philippines in a showcase of talent, musical diversity, and cultural exchange. The festival also coincides with the University of Santo Tomas ..read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, the principal advocate of the Philippine representation in the Venice Biennale, expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s participation of the Philippine Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale de Venezia. “I am proud that we are now still actively participating in the oldest and most prestigious contemporary art platform in the world after our successful return in 2015 following a 51-year hiatus, with ..read more

HONG KONG — WAN Gallery and artist Joar Songcuya have successfully produced a major solo exhibition, which opened March 27, at Art Central Hong Kong 2024. The exhibit, Pilgrimage to the Ancient Seas, was presented at Booth C23 in the Central Harbourfront Event Space. Art Central Hong Kong selected the Filipino artist as one of the Duk Dak Solo Presentations featured at this year’s fair. Duk Dak, a common Cantonese phrase meaning “individually special,” is a sector launched in 2021 featuring emerging and established talent through solo artist projects presented by their gallery. This is Joar’s ..read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is now accepting applications for the Virgin Labfest 19 Writing Fellowship Program. Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2024, 11:00 pm.  Organized by the CCP Artist Training Division, the Virgin Labfest 19 Writing Fellowship Program is a two-week mentorship program on the study and practice of dramatic writing for the stage. The selected fellows will take part in lectures, discussions, and workshops on playwriting, script critiquing, and other aspects of theater production.   As part of the Virgin Labfest ..read more

SINGAPORE — Unlocking ADHD, in collaboration with Tay Guan Hin, Creative Chairman of BBDO Singapore and author of the best-selling Penguin book Collide, recently presented “Where Art and ADHD Collide,” a groundbreaking event held at ARTitude Galería in Singapore. This unique occasion celebrated the fusion of creativity, diversity, and the intersection of art and mental health. The event took place on April 22, 2024, honored by the presence of Lee Chen Ee, Group Director of Innovation and Transformation at Singapore Health Services, as the guest of honor. Her attendance highlighted the importan ..read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Ayala Museum, in partnership with AIA Philippines, will open the Unraveling the AIA Philippines Art Collection, a free exhibition featuring 11 works by Filipino visual art masters, on April 23, 2024. Part of AIA Philippines’ (formerly PhilAm Life) art collection, these 11 works feature a diverse cast of artists such as national artists Ang Kiukok and Victorio Edades, and even national hero Jose Rizal, in a wide range of styles and media representing different historical periods. Originally hung and commissioned for the former PhilAm Life Building along UN Avenue in Manila ..read more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Patricia Evangelista, trauma journalist and internationally acclaimed author, launched “Ituloy ang Kuwento” (Pass the Word) on April 11, an initiative organized to make Some People Need Killing: A Memoir of Murder in My Country accessible.  Under the program, copies purchased at a discounted rate from Fully Booked will form part of a pool of books distributed by the Library Renewal Partnership (LRP) and the Human Rights and People Empowerment Center (HRPEC). The books will go to municipal and public libraries, community centers, human rights organizations, and non-pr ..read more