What's On MNL: 18th Philippine Food Expo, OtakuPop Fes 2026, & More Events
From industry‑defining food expos to anime‑powered festivals and citywide fun runs, Manila’s event scene stays busy this April. This month's picks include the 18th Philippine Food Expo, the launch of OtakuPop Fes 2026, and several cultural and community‑led gatherings worth adding to your calendar. Check them out!
18th Philippine Food Expo
Philippine Food Expo returns from April 17-19 at the World Trade Center Manila. The event presents hundreds of food discoveries, offering attendees access to product exhibits, culinary competitions, and educational workshops and seminars. These activities focus on innovation, technical expertise, and knowledge-sharing across the food and beverage sector. The expo also supports professional networking while encouraging the discovery of new products and the growth of local brands.
Otaku Pop Fes
Otaku Pop Fes debuts on April 25-26 at Okada Manila. The Ballroom venue focuses on anime exhibitions and stage programs, while Cove Manila hosts cosplay activities, Japanese pop culture showcases, and nightly concerts. The Music Live segment features performances by Eir Aoi, Hiroshi Kitadani, and UNIS, with each artist scheduled across different days. The cosplay and creator lineup includes Myrtle Sarrosa, alongside Prince, Awie, Een, and Charess.
QuakerFit Run 2026
The QuakerFit Run 2026 is set on April 26 at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Organized by RUNRIO, the event emphasizes commitment to an active lifestyle through structured race categories, including 5K, 10K, and 21K distances. A featured challenge includes the chance to run with Piolo Pascual and achieve a “Sub‑Piolo” time, defined as completing the 10K in 47 minutes. The race village also features interactive activities from PepsiCo brands and event partners.
The Moon and the Bakunawa
The Moon and the Bakunawa is a theatrical production described as “A Dementia Carer Story,” presented on April 18, 19, 25, and 26 at the Jayne Offemaria‑Obiado Auditorium, AIMS Tower. The production follows Mamay and Tongyong as they retrace moments of love, laughter, and memory loss. Drawing from Filipino myth, the presence of the Bakunawa serves as a metaphor for forgetting, reflecting the emotional weight of memories slipping away and the struggle to hold on.
Paws at the Post
Paws at the Post transforms Paseo de Roxas in Makati into a vibrant street fair from April 18-19. Designed as a meeting point for pet lovers and marketgoers, the event brings together pet-focused brands, local and vintage apparel sellers, and a lineup of food and drink vendors. The program also includes a pet adoption initiative, featuring adoptable cats and dogs from Cats of Legaspi Village and Adopt Biyaya, as well as a photo booth for keepsake moments. Free entrance!
MATSURI in Manila 2026
MATSURI in Manila 2026 is scheduled on April 25 at the Quirino Grandstand, serving as a large‑scale celebration of Japanese culture in the Philippines. Highlights include stage performances, Japanese food stalls, cosplay showcases, kimono presentations, hobby booths, drifting exhibitions, and a fireworks display to cap off the event. The performer lineup includes Maria Ozawa, Maki Otsuki, Myrtle Sarrosa, and Alex Calleja, alongside other artists.
HEATH WAVE: The Ultimate Fan Jam
HEATH WAVE: The Ultimate Fan Jam invites fans to SM City North EDSA Skydome on April 19. The event centers on Heath Jornales, a Kapuso artist and PBB Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 2nd Big Placer. Produced by ABS‑CBN Events, Star Pop, and GMA Sparkle, the fan jam is framed as a thanksgiving gathering that blends entertainment with personal interaction. Activities include music performances, interactive games, and moments designed to foster connection between Heath and his supporters.
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