Hallyu Superstar Song Joong-ki is Coming to Manila This May

Ready to trade your weeknight blues for late-night brews and epic tunes? This week, Manila’s nightlife comes alive with Grammy-winning funk, world-class sake tastings, punchline-packed comedy shows, and throwback gigs you won’t want to miss. Consider this your cheat sheet to making every night feel like a Friday.

Snarky Puppy Live in Manila

Snarky Puppy celebrates 10 years of "We Like It Here" with a live show on May 27 at The Filinvest Tent, Alabang. The five-time Grammy-winning ensemble will revisit tracks from their landmark album alongside selections from their most recent Grammy-winning record, "Empire Central." Secure your tickets now via Tickelo! Follow Karpos Live’s official channels for the latest updates.

Sake Manila 2025

Raise your glass! SAKE MANILA returns this May 23 at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila, delivering the ultimate sake experience to Manila’s discerning crowd. Guests will enjoy unlimited tastings, curated gourmet pairings, and the rare chance to meet top brewers, brand ambassadors, and industry experts. The event also features the Iconic Tuna Parade, Taiko drumming, and Koto performances set to live DJ sets.

#PoohKie with Chad Kinis - The Repeat

Pooh, Pokwang, and Chad Kinis are returning to The Music Museum on May 23 and 24 for #Poohkie. After a sold-out show earlier this year, the trio is back to do it all again—louder, funnier, and bolder. From Pokwang’s signature sass and physical comedy to Pooh’s sharp impersonations and Chad Kinis’ no-holds-barred humor, this show is designed to hit every funny bone.

Music For Peace

The Manila Symphony Orchestra opens its 99th season with "Music for Peace," set for May 24 at Aliw Theater. The MSO will revive two iconic pieces featured in their original post-war concerts: Beethoven’s "Violin Concerto" and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” Berlin-based violinist Emanuel John Villarin will perform with the orchestra, with conductor MSO Music Director Marlon Chen.

Bound To Round - 1st One Send-Off Party

Eyes here, FOR ONEs! "Bound To Round – 1st One Send-Off Party" is scheduled on May 24 at VIVA Café. This special gathering celebrates 1st One's upcoming performance at the ASEAN-Korea Round Music Festival 2025, where they’ll represent the Philippines. This event is your chance to cheer members Ace, Alpha, J, Jayson, Joker, and Max before they fly out to Malaysia. Grab your tickets today!

<S>andwich x The Itchyworms at 12 Monkeys

Sandwich and The Itchyworms will share the stage at 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub on May 24. Sandwich, led by Raymund Marasigan, is known for hits “Sugod” and “Butterfly Carnival” that defined the early 2000s alt-rock scene. The Itchyworms are masters of catchy hooks and witty lyrics, with beloved tracks such as “Akin Ka Na Lang” and “Beer” guaranteed to get the crowd singing.

Justin Lee Schultz Live in Manila

Justin Lee Schultz is set to perform live at Teatrino Promenade on May 23! Hailed by jazz greats as “something special,” this South African-born sensation is a musical prodigy who blends technical brilliance with heartfelt soul. Expect an exhilarating setlist that weaves through jazz, blues, R&B, pop, and gospel, performed with a polish far beyond his years. Secure your seats today!

Echoes of the Underground

Chocolatey Productions presents "Echoes of the Underground" on May 24 at Milenya PH. Witness high-intensity music from underground artists Derived, Impure, Revolted Tribe, Atanara, Just Need Elements Band, NO TEE 7, Shape Shifters MNL, TearBox, and Chaotic Existence PH. From heavy riffs to melodic breakdowns, each performance is set to bring its distinct edge to the stage. Door charge: P250.

FPYP Networking Party

Don't miss Alliance Française de Manille's "FPYP Networking Party: European Night." Get your fill of locally brewed craft beers, with free bottles of Jade’s Temple available exclusively for attendees while stocks last. The curated drinks menu features cocktails like the Oulala house punch and Ginial gin and tonic, paired with European-inspired bites including cold cuts, pâté, and fries. RSVP now!

Parokya ni Edgar x Gracenote x Soundcheckers

Spend your Monday night with Parokya ni Edgar, Gracenote, and Soundcheckers at 12 Monkeys on May 26. With over three decades of hits like “Harana,” “Halaga,” and “Buloy,” Parokya ni Edgar remains one of the Philippines’ most in-demand rock bands. Whether you’re reliving your college playlist or discovering these artists for the first time, this gig promises music, energy, and soul.

Still figuring out your week? We've rounded up the must-dos across Manila, from a storytelling fest perfect for the family to food fairs, fan meets, and fitness events. Whether you’ve got just one free day or a packed social schedule, these happenings are worth penciling in. Read on for more details!

Haraya: A Storytelling Festival

Haraya: A Storytelling Festival is happening this May 22-23 at Museo Pambata. For P550, guests will get full festival access and museum entry. Highlights include original Filipino plays, creative workshops, and immersive art spaces. The first 200 registrants will receive a Munting Haraya Kit, a delightful bundle of books, snacks, and more. Bring the whole family to this unique storytelling celebration!

IFEX Philippines 2025

IFEX Philippines is back! Explore four dynamic zones: the FOODPhilippines Hall, which showcases the best of local food products; the International Zone, featuring global exhibitors; the Sustainability Hall, highlighting eco-conscious innovations; and the MarketPlace, a lively retail space for up-and-coming brands. Each area is curated to promote quality, innovation, and export potential.

Kwentuhog Klasiks: MosaiK

Act Avenue restages "Kwentuhog Klasiks: MosaiK" at Mirror Theater Studios. Catch the Staged Reading series on May 18 and full stage play presentations on June 8. Featured works include "Tatlong Tula ni Vitto at Lira," "Hele," and "Asawa Kabit." Tickets are priced at P250 for the staged reading, P500 for the stage plays, and P650 for both. Group and student discounts are also available.

Spartan Workout Tour - Bridgetowne, Pasig

The Spartan Workout Tour hits Bridgetowne, Pasig for its second adrenaline-charged stop of the year. This famed fitness event features a 90-minute bodyweight workout by certified Spartan coaches. It’s a chance to test your limits, meet like-minded individuals, and tap into a community that thrives on strength and resilience. Registered participants will receive a Workout Tour T-shirt and Workout Tour Wedge.

Boni Viva Luci 2025: BG-SEA

Bonifacio Global City presents the "Boni Viva Luci 2025: BG-SEA." This year’s BGC light festival celebrates the beauty of marine life through a mix of visual art, science, and live performance. Installations by acclaimed Filipino artists will transform BGC's urban spaces into aquatic dreamscapes. This event is free and open to the public. Don't miss it!

IAM Song Joong-Ki: Live in Manila

Korean superstar Song Joong-Ki is finally coming to Manila for his much-anticipated first live fan meeting. “IAM Song Joong-Ki: Live in Manila” happens on May 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Organized by IAM Worldwide, this one-night-only event offers fans the rare chance to see the beloved actor in person, known globally for standout roles in “Descendants of the Sun,” “Vincenzo,” and “Reborn Rich.”

TOKYO Before/After

Experience Tokyo’s past and present in "TOKYO Before/After," a photography exhibition at Estancia Mall. Admission is free. Presented by The Japan Foundation, Manila, the exhibit brings together around 80 photographs capturing Tokyo in two time periods: the 1930s-40s and post-2010. Among the featured artists are Japanese photographers Shintaro Sato, Motoyuki Daifu, Natsumi Hayashi, and Shinya Arimoto.

Memento: A Journey Through Europe

Discover Europe’s many faces at "Memento: A Journey Through Europe," a captivating photography exhibition hosted by Alliance Française de Manille. In partnership with the embassies of Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Sweden, this cultural exhibit showcases carefully curated images reflecting the landscapes, landmarks, and everyday life of Europe’s diverse regions.

D'PURPOSE 2025 - 'Indak ng Tagumpay'

D’Grind Studio's D'PURPOSE 2025 – "Indak ng Tagumpay" is a dynamic celebration of youth, talent, and purpose through dance. The recital marks the finale of D’Grind’s annual Summer Dance Workshop. This special evening brings students and seasoned performers (D’Idols) together in a high-energy showcase of styles such as hip-hop, K-pop, performance class, and more.

Pinoy Fitness 21K Challenge

Lace up for the Pinoy Fitness 21K Challenge 2025, set for May 24 in Vermosa, Cavite. This iconic sunset half marathon, organized by Pinoy Fitness and PepSquad Events, is designed to help runners hit new milestones. Participants will receive a bib, an official race shirt, a finisher shirt, and a custom medal, plus the option to grab the exclusive finisher jacket.

A picture often tells a thousand stories — carrying and conveying different emotions, too. In “Memento,” these aren’t simply just images; they’re mirrors to lives so different than ours, with details big and small captured in a single frame. 

“Memento: A Journey Through Europe” is a heartfelt archive of Europe and its humanity. From the majestic view of the Mont-Saint-Michel, the serene beauty of Polish landscapes, the dazzling grandeur of the Schönbrunn Palace, and the banal charm of Danish lifestyle, every photo in the exhibit is a mirror to what Europe truly is — beyond what people usually perceive it to be. 

“Memento” doesn’t just show you Europe — it allows you to be a witness of its intricate tapestry of history, artistry, and memory. This isn’t all about the “Europe” we see on brochures, or on social media. It’s softer, profound, and more human. And if you’re wondering why this exhibit deserves a bit of space in your weekend plans, here’s a couple of reasons why it’s worth the visit. 

It goes beyond what we see on social media.

Despite having several renowned sites in pictures, like the Schöbrunn Palace and the colorful buildings of Colmar, it also captures the pulse of everyday life. These images don’t just document; they reveal. Moments that are as beautiful as the curated ones we see on the Internet — but real. 

One might argue that they’re even more powerful than the picturesque scenes we expect. 

It reminds us to notice the small details.

Before coming to the exhibition, there might be an idea in your mind that you’re going to see sweeping views, ornate interiors, and beautiful European paintings. You will, but we'll make an argument that this exhibit isn’t about that. Most of the images on display might catch you off guard — commuting to work, a zigzagging highway, a herd of sheep. 

Yet there is beauty in those pictures. A beauty only noticed when we stop searching for the extraordinary and start seeing the wonder in the mundane.

It allows us to romanticize, to dream, to feel.

Walking through the exhibit will feel like you’re witnessing eight European cultures all at once — wouldn’t that be the dream for most of us? At “Memento,” you will be greeted with powerful images that represent those countries from its core, allowing us to daydream about a life so different than our own, to wonder what it’s like to live in a different country, and to feel the emotions in the images. 

It’s a reflection of shared humanity.

Though the subjects vary — from natural wonders, common streets, festivals, and stunning views — there is one thing that connects them all. Even if we’re living in different parts of the world, these pictures are mirrors of our own lives reflected in places we’ve never been, and in people we’ve never met. 

It’s a chance to see Europe, raw and unfiltered.

We’ve always imagined Europe as opulent, royal, and more remarkable than our own. Yet, this exhibit aims to showcase a different side of Europe — one that is more humble, down-to-earth, and simply human.

“Memento: A Journey Through Europe” is more than just a visual tour. It’s a celebration of culture, emotion, and everyday life across eight European countries. Through these images, we see both the awe-inspiring and the beautifully mundane: landscapes and interiors, tradition and technology, solitude and community. Everything is there, in quiet harmony. 

A Celebration of the 75 Years of Europe

Last May 9, 2025, Europe and the European Union celebrated their 75th year. “Memento: A Journey Through Europe” is a collaboration of eight European embassies in the Philippines — Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Sweden — hosted by the Alliance Française de Manille. 

The exhibition will be held until May 31, 2025, at the Gallery of Alliance Française de Manille in Makati City. 

For more information, you can visit Alliance Française de Manille’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Twitter).

Location: Alliance Française de Manille, 209 Nicanor Garcia II, Makati City, Metro Manila 

Opening Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (Mondays to Fridays), 9 AM to 5 PM (Saturdays)

Admission: Free