What's On MNL: International Dance Day, Lee Minho 'MINHOVERSE,' & More

¡Felíz el Día Internacional del Libro! (Happy International Book Day!)

Books have always opened new worlds for everyone who reads them, and for that, they are worth celebrating. 

Celebrate World Book Day at the Ayala Triangle Gardens this Apr. 26, 2025, with Instituto Cervantes de Manila’s annual Dia del Libro!

Together with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and in collaboration with Ayala Land and Make It Makati, this annual, one-day book fair will be jam-packed with exciting activities for all ages from 9 AM to 11 PM. 

You can expect a book fair with everything from fiction to non-fiction, and poetry to prose by some of Metro Manila’s best bookstores and publishers, with everything at a 20% discount. Plus, as with Spanish tradition every World Book Day, you’ll receive a rose with every purchase.

One of the annual book fair’s highlights is the Escribo el Quijote, in commemoration of the greatest writer in the Spanish language, Miguel de Cervantes. Starting at 9:30 AM, participants will be challenged by Instituto Cervantes to handwrite the novel “Don Quijote” by Cervantes. Those participating will also be receiving a rose. 

Other activities include a storytelling session of “El Cartero Simpatico” (The friendly mailman) for kids, a Test Your Spanish booth, a book presentation “El español en Filipinas” by Vibal Publishing, workshops, an Amazing Race called Universitario Yincana, poetry readings, and much more! 

Dia del Libro in Manila is so much more than your average book fair — it’s also a celebration of art, music, and culture! You can enjoy activities such as a free beginner Spanish class, a flamenco guitar class, a paella cooking demo by Barcino, a flamenco show, and more!

Whether you’re a longtime book lover, a newbie, or just someone looking for something interesting to do this weekend, Dia del Libro is the way to go! 

For more information and updates, follow Instituto Cervantes de Manila on Facebook and Instagram! You can also check out their website for the full schedule here. 

Location: Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati, Philippines

Date & Opening Hours: Apr. 26, from 9 AM to 11 PM

Admission Fee: Free

Filipino SakaKen, are you ready? Award-winning Japanese actor, Kentaro Sakaguchi, is coming to Manila for his first-ever fan meet!

Popularly known for his portrayal of Jungo Aoki in the hit K-Drama “What Comes After Love” (2024) and Kazuto Manabe in the Japanese film “The Last 10 Years” (2022), Kentaro Sakaguchi is flying to the Philippines for an intimate fan experience that will surely make for an unforgettable night for all attendees! The Kentaro Sakaguchi Asia Tour Fan Meeting 2025 is happening on May 17 (6 PM) at the SM Skydome in Quezon City. 

There are three ticket categories priced at P14,500 (Wish Package), P9,500 (Patron), and P4,500 (General Admission). Tickets include a bunch of perks, including fan interactions such as photo ops and hi-bye sessions, signed posters, and exclusive photocards. There's a pre-sale ongoing here until Apr. 27, while the general sale begins on May 2 at 12 NN via SM Tickets and SM Ticket outlets nationwide. 

Kentaro made his debut as a fashion model before transitioning into acting, where he easily became one of Japan’s most beloved stars. His breakthrough roles in “Heroine Shikkaku” (2015) and “Ore Monogatari!!” (2015) put him on the map, winning him the Best New Actor award at the 11th Osaka Cinema Festival. 

He was also recognized as Newcomer of the Year at the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize, and more recently at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards (AAA), where he won the Best Actor and Asia Star Award. Despite this upcoming event being his first fan meet in Manila, the actor has already visited the country when he attended the 2023 AAA in Bulacan, where he bagged the Best Artist Award (Actor) and Asia Celebrity Award. 

Don’t miss your chance to meet this talented actor this May! This event is presented by Wish Us Luck Productions, Ovation Productions, Tristone Entertainment, and Mahocast. 

For updates, stay tuned to Wish Us Luck Productions on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

“Sandali na lang…” 

Filipino rock, pop-alternative band Moonstar88 is celebrating 25 years since their formation with a concert titled “25 Years of Torete” with the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra this May 24, 2025, at Eton Centris, Quezon City. 

Presented by Eton Centris, Eton Properties Philippines Inc., Soupstar Music, and Redlines Entertainment Productions, the concert is anticipated to honor Moonstar88’s colorful and influential music throughout the years. The title of the concert, “25 Years of Torete,” pays tribute to one of their most recognized songs, “Torete,” which was part of their debut album “Popcorn” released in 2000. 

More details will be revealed in the future, so stay tuned to this space!

Moonstar88: 25 Years of Filipino Rock, Pop-Alt Excellence

Known for their love anthems “Torete” and “Migraine,” and for their covers of Pinoy classics like “Panalangin,” “Senti,” and “Pag-ibig Kong Ito,” Moonstar88 was formed in February 1999 in Manila, Philippines. 

Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Maysh Baay, drummist/vocalist Bon Sundiang, and lead guitarist Herbert Hernandez, Moonstar88 is a staple in the Filipino music scene, and one of the pillars of the late ‘90s and early 2000s music along with their contemporaries 6cyclemind, Imago, Sandwich, Callalily, and Pedicab. 

They have six studio albums and one EP in their repertoire, with their most recent release being “Lourdes 2088” in 2023. Moonstar88 has also won awards throughout the years, with their song “Parola” recently winning the “Rock/Alternative Song of the Year” Award at the 2024 Wish 107.5 Music Awards. 

Listen to Moonstar88‘s Top Songs here: 

For more information, follow Moonstar88 on their official Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages. 

Heads up, Filipino cinephiles! Stills are coming to life this April! 

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) just announced that it will be holding the “I Animate” Animation Film Festival this April 24 to May 7, 2025. The film festival was created to celebrate animated films and the extraordinary talents of the animators behind them. 

The event will feature talkback sessions with some influential figures in the animation industry and will be screening critically acclaimed local and international animated films. These films will be screened in select SM Cinemas and Cinematheque Centres in the country. 

Here are the announced SM Cinemas and Cinematheque Centres participating in the “I Animate” Animation Film Festival: 

• SM Cinema Megamall
• SM Cinema Mall of Asia
• SM Cinema North EDSA
• SM Cinema Manila
• Cinematheque Centre Iloilo – FDCP
• Cinematheque Centre Davao – FDCP
• Cinematheque Centre Negros – FDCP
• Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan - FDCP

Here is a list of the films that will be screened during the “I Animate” Animation Film Festival 2025: 

• Iti Mapikpukaw (The Missing) – Carl Joseph Papa (Cinemalaya 2023 Best Film)
• Cleaners – Glenn Barit
• Saving Sally – Avid Liongoren
• Memoir of a Snail – Adam Elliot
• Flow – Gints Zilbalodis (Oscar 2025 Best Animated Feature Film)
• Robot Dreams – Pablo Berger
• Le Petit Nicolas – Amandine Fredon and Benjamin Massoubre
• Weathering With You – Makoto Shinkai
• Loving Vincent – Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman
• Wolf Children – Mamoru Hosoda

The “I Animate” Animation Film Festival will also showcase various animated films under the “Student Shorts Showcase,” “Animated Short Focus,” and “From the Archives” categories. 

For more information and updates, follow the Film Development Center of the Philippines (FDCP) on their official Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Calling all Philippine EXO-Ls and Dandanies! 

Missed out on EXO member D.O.’s first solo fan concert, “Bloom” in Manila last year? No worries, because he’s set to return to Manila this August 16, 2025, for his second Asia concert tour, “DO It!” 

D.O. will be performing in nine cities across Asia for his second Asia concert tour from July to October, beginning in Seoul, to be followed by Taipei, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Bangkok, and will be concluding in Tokyo. More cities and dates will be announced in the future. 

D.O.’s Manila stop will be handled by concert organizer Wilbros Live, who also handled his first concert in Manila a year ago. Ticketing details and more have not been revealed yet, so stay tuned for more announcements! 

D.O.: EXO member, Solo Artist, and Critically Acclaimed Actor

Doh Kyungsoo, most famously known as D.O., first debuted as a vocalist of K-Pop boy group EXO in 2012. He, as part of the group, went on to release chart-topping hits such as “Growl,” “Call Me Baby,” “Ko Ko Bop,” “Tempo,” and “Love Shot.” He debuted as a solo artist in 2021 with his first extended play, “Empathy.”

Apart from his singing career, D.O. is also a renowned actor, with his leading roles in K-dramas such as “100 Days My Prince” (2018), and “Bad Prosecutor” (2022), and roles in movies like “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds” (2017), “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” (2018), “Swing Kids” (2018), “The Moon” (2023), and “Secret: Untold Melody” (2025). 

D.O., along with fellow EXO members Xiumin and Kai, are set to hold solo fan concerts in Manila this year, with Xiumin performing at the New Frontier Theater in May and Kai at the Araneta Coliseum in July. 

For more information and updates, follow Wilbros Live on their Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages. Follow D.O. on his official Instagram account here.