MNL48 REBOOT AND RISE

Venture "Into The Woods" this August as Theatre Group Asia stages Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed musical at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati, from Aug. 7 to 31, with matinee and evening shows at 2 PM and 7:30 PM.

This highly anticipated production marks the return of Olivier and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga to the Philippine stage, playing The Witch in a role she first portrayed three decades ago. A fusion of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and more, the musical follows a childless baker and his wife on a quest to lift a witch’s curse. What unfolds is a visually stunning, emotionally rich tale exploring the consequences of desire and the moral complexities of fairy tales.

Directed by Chari Arespacochaga as a tribute to the late Bobby Garcia, the show features production design by Clint Ramos, co-producer and creative director of the last Broadway revival. Following TGA’s 2024 hit "Request sa Radyo," this staging brings a dazzling mix of nostalgia and theatrical innovation to Manila’s theater scene.

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.

Dive into a profound reflection on grief, identity, and national memory in "Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati," a powerful new stage work inspired by "A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino" by National Artist Nick Joaquin. Directed by Guelan Luarca, this reimagined production explores the heart of Filipino identity amidst crumbling legacies, fading familial bonds, and the passage of time.

The play runs at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, with evening shows on Aug. 8, 14, and 15 at 7:30 PM, and matinee and evening performances on Aug. 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Featuring a stellar cast including Gab Pangilinan and Delphine Buencamino, the production blurs timelines and realities through movement, sound, and poetry. Expect a lament that bridges the personal and political, performed with emotional resonance and theatrical precision.

Blending Joaquin’s classic narrative with a contemporary lens, "Quomodo Desolata Es?" poses urgent questions about art, loss, and the price of remembering. Audiences will be immersed in a world where Manila’s old soul is laid bare through haunting visuals, evocative performances, and rich language.

Don’t miss this limited-run theatrical experience—an artistic lament that resonates deeply with the country’s cultural psyche. Presented by Areté at the Ateneo de Manila University, this production is a must-see for lovers of Philippine literature, theater, and history.

WanderMart is taking over Okada Manila from Aug. 15 to 17, 2025, bringing the excitement of travel and lifestyle under one luxurious roof. Hosted at the Crystal Pavilion, this three-day event features over 130 booths and 97 exhibitors, offering everything from travel deals and luxury getaways to curated retail and lifestyle finds.

Browse offerings from airlines, cruise companies, golf clubs, banks, and local tourism offices, and enjoy exclusive promos, giveaways, and brand activations. Pre-register to receive a welcome drink, lounge access, and a special gift—only for the first 300 guests. Plus, don’t miss your shot at winning prizes like round-trip flights to Korea and an overnight stay at the Sky Villa.

WanderMart is open to the public from 10 AM to 9 PM, with free admission. Reward Circle members also get $100 off select travel packages.

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.

Lani Misalucha takes the stage at The Theatre at Solaire for "STILL LANI," her first solo concert in a decade and a grand celebration of her 40th year in music. This emotional and uplifting performance tells the story of her comeback after overcoming significant health challenges, proving that her voice — and spirit — still soars.

The night will feature a 40-piece orchestra led by Toma Cayabyab and exciting guest appearances from Ben&Ben, Leanne & Naara, Shaira Opsimar, and Paeng Sudayan. Fans can look forward to memorable collaborations, beloved classics, and powerful new renditions.

With production by Backstage Entertainment and direction by Calvin Neria, "STILL LANI" promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience honoring one of OPM’s most celebrated voices.

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.

This August, experience Kaliwaan, a powerful Filipino adaptation of Harold Pinter’s acclaimed modern classic Betrayal. Produced by Stages Production Specialists, Inc., in collaboration with MusicArtes, Inc., the play runs for two weekends only from August 22 to 31, 2025 at The Mirror Theater Studio, located at 3/F SJG Building, 8463 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati.

Kaliwaan, translated by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by internationally celebrated director Loy Arcenas, delves into the haunting silence, longing, and emotional erosion that unfold in the wake of betrayal. With piercing dialogue and stark staging, this production invites audiences to witness how intimacy unravels slowly—quietly—through fractured memories and hidden truths.

Harold Pinter’s original play, known for its reverse chronology and subtle intensity, finds new depth and resonance in this Filipino-language version that hits close to home. This limited run promises a deeply intimate theater experience that reflects the universal pain of broken connections.

Ticket prices range from P800 to P1250, with Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers available. For tickets and full details, visit bit.ly/KaliwaanMNL2025.

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.

MONO8 presents "A Bird, A Cage, A God of Flowers," a powerful solo exhibition by artist Pepe Delfin, running from July 26 to Sept. 27, 2025, with an opening reception on July 26 at 6 PM.

Borrowing its title from Mary Oliver’s "The Kookaburras," the exhibition navigates the emotional weight of trauma through Delfin’s striking geometric abstraction. Using line, color, and form, Delfin builds visual narratives that express the inexpressible, inviting viewers to encounter trauma not as spectacle but as an experience shaped by complexity, resistance, and healing.

Presented in collaboration with Lunas Collective, the exhibit offers more than aesthetic insight; it becomes a space for empathy and introspection. Delfin’s unique artistic language, a blend of mathematical precision and emotional resonance, makes each piece a quiet yet powerful act of storytelling.

Don’t miss this intimate, transformative show at MONO8!

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.

The Sandbox Collective brings to life Side Show: The Musical, a moving theatrical journey about sisterhood, fame, and finding love in the most unexpected places. Running from July 26 to Aug. 17, 2025, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, the show revives the original 1997 Broadway version for the first time in the Philippines.

Set in 1930s America, the musical tells the extraordinary true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who were once carnival attractions but grew into vaudeville icons. Featuring music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Bill Russell, the production delves into the emotional complexities of their lives offstage.

A dynamic Filipino cast brings the narrative to life, including Jon Santos as The Boss, Reb Atadero and CJ Navato as Terry Connor, and Vien King and Tim Pavino as Buddy Foster. The staging is immersive, contemporary, and rooted in themes still relevant today—inclusion, identity, and resilience.

With direction by Toff de Venecia, this rendition promises both spectacle and soul. Don’t miss this chance to witness a celebrated musical that challenges perceptions and celebrates those who live life differently.

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.

Discover Tanod-Lupa, a captivating public art installation by multimedia artist Abdulmari "Toym" De Leon Imao Jr. showcasing illuminated depictions of Filipino mythical creatures, on view at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Liwasang KaLIKHAsan from Aug. 1 to 31, 2025, at 6:30 PM to 9 PM. 

This exhibition features figures such as the kapre, tikbalang, diwata, and manananggal. The installation aims to highlight the importance of environmental conservation and the rich tapestry of Filipino folklore. The artworks are strategically placed among trees and shrubs, creating a harmonious dialogue between the installations and the surrounding natural landscape. "Tanod-Lupa" invites visitors to reflect on the interconnectedness of culture and nature, offering a unique opportunity to engage with Philippine mythology in a contemporary context. 

Admission is free, making it accessible to all who wish to experience this enchanting fusion of art, culture, and nature. Visit now and experience this one-of-a-kind cultural display!

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.

Venture "Into The Woods" this August as Theatre Group Asia stages Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed musical at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati, from Aug. 7 to 31, with matinee and evening shows at 2 PM and 7:30 PM.

This highly anticipated production marks the return of Olivier and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga to the Philippine stage, playing The Witch in a role she first portrayed three decades ago. A fusion of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and more, the musical follows a childless baker and his wife on a quest to lift a witch’s curse. What unfolds is a visually stunning, emotionally rich tale exploring the consequences of desire and the moral complexities of fairy tales.

Directed by Chari Arespacochaga as a tribute to the late Bobby Garcia, the show features production design by Clint Ramos, co-producer and creative director of the last Broadway revival. Following TGA’s 2024 hit "Request sa Radyo," this staging brings a dazzling mix of nostalgia and theatrical innovation to Manila’s theater scene.

Event information edited for consistency and clarity by The Beat Asia.