What’s On Manila: Best Things to See, Do, Eat, & Drink on May 21-27, 2024

“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.

Gamers, assemble! Quezon City is about to become a haven for players as the Philippines’ biggest board game event is finally here!

Happening from May 29 to Jun. 1 at the M.I.C.E. Center in Quezon City, the All aBOARD EXPO 2025 is set to unite board game lovers everywhere for an unforgettable experience packed with thrilling battles, exciting adventures, and exclusive merchandise! This epic gaming convention is organized by Gaming Library in partnership with the Quezon City Local Government, and will be a hub of all things board games. 

Take part in tournaments, meet renowned international game designers, and register for exclusive workshops on the game board industry. Whether you’re a seasoned or casual gamer, this event has something for everyone to enjoy! 

Day passes are priced at P50, and if you’re a Q.C. resident, you can enter the event for FREE! Gamer’s Express Pass is also available for P1,000, which includes a four-day access pass with priority entry, an exclusive reusable bag, one mystery board game, a score pad, and a chance to get a special collectible pin upon completing the Battle Pass. 

If that isn’t enough to get you to go, here’s what you can expect:

Boards and Booths

This epic expo has got all the fun mapped out for you. The four-day event gives you more than enough time to go through all the play zones, demo areas, retail booths, and community spaces. Some of the important sections you won’t want to miss are:

• Library Games – It’s boards over books at the Library Games, where visitors can borrow and play board games provided by Gaming Library and their partner Library publisher sponsors. Demo Coaches will also be around to help you through the gameplay.
• Gift Shop – Looking for a rare game? Or are you interested in taking home a trophy board? This is the convention’s centralized shop where all of the booth exhibitors, including international publishers, will be doing retail and selling.
• Open Gaming Community – Once you have your games bought or borrowed, come hang out on the second floor, which will be decked out with tables where you can play a round or two with friends and family.
• Blue Zone – Want to know more about upcoming games? Here lies the marketing booths where you can catch sneak peeks, previews, prizes, demos, and various swag goodies from the publishers!
• Workshop – This private conference room will serve as the main venue for workshops and special events.
• Blood on the Clock Tower – get the chance to play hosted sessions by the Blood On the Clock Tower Community here. 

Meet International Board Game Experts

Get exclusive insights from some of the biggest names in the board gaming industry. Meet renowned reviewers and publishers, and attend workshops by two of the most in-demand board game designers in the world: Yohan Goh (Odin, Fold-It) and David Gordon (Finspan, Monkey Palace)! Access to the workshops is priced at P500. 

Take Part in Tournaments

Put your game face on and join various exclusive events that will test your skills and give you chances to win amazing prizes! There are various board game battles to choose from, including “King of Tokyo,” “Harmonies,” and “Unmatched.” You can check out the lineup here.

Take note that registration for the tournaments has separate fees from entrance passes, so make sure to book them in advance!

What are you waiting for? Prepare to roll the dice and win at this epic board game battle space. Book your tickets now!

For updates, follow Gaming Library on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. 

Location: M.I.C.E. Center, QC City Hall, Elliptical Road, Quezon City 1100

Admission Fee: Day Pass at P50; FREE for Quezon City residents. Book here.

Your furbabies might be due for a shopping spree!

Heads up, fur parents and beloved hoomans! Spectrum Fair Manila is holding its very first Pawsome Pet Fair of 2025, this Apr. 12 to 13, 2025, at Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

From 8 AM to 8 PM, you can enjoy over 50 of the finest treats, toys, and goodies for you, your pets, and more at this pet fair! There’s bound to be goodies for everyone — for our furry friends, fellow pet owners, and animal lovers! You can even just come along to see all the cute pets!

And who knows, you might even bring home a cute kitty from the Cats of Legaspi Village adoption booth! 

Come on and eat, shop, and lounge about while listening to some smooth tunes this weekend! 

Here is the list of merchants for the upcoming Pawsome Pet Fair this weekend: 

Pets & Lifestyle

• Ruff Treats
• Pupsicles
• The Pet Club
• Posh Pets
• Better Paws
• Chuyo Paws
• Treatos by Joey
• The Moon Project
• Trademark Pets
• XKins
• Ruffsack PH
• Pretty Puppy and Co.
• Primitive Pack
• Little Lion Treats
• Pet Friendly’s
• Pupperwear
• Haru Haru
• Le Bubu Pets
• Isla Marikit
• Happy Pet Products
• Gentle Paws
• Happy Hounds
• Gentle Walker
• Yobear & Co.
• Spoiled Pets Club
• Nood
• Happy Life Organics
• Fil Dog Scarf
• Club Thread
• Dear Pets
• Doggy Potion
• Buddy Duggy
• Clifford & Felix
• Cats of Legaspi Village
• Bonapetreat
• Boop MNL
• Bowhouse
• PB & J Photo Booth

Food & Drinks

• Hungry Homies
• Old Boy Bakery
• Oola Halo
• The Good Poison
• Yello Soft Serve
• Taiwan Fried Bao
• Carlos’ Bakery
• Sweet Kamote
• Craft Pulp MNL
• Cha Bar
• Tapakasarap
• Egg Tarts Manila
• WKND Coffee
• The Blue Apron
• JD’s Takoyaki
• Frocho MNL
• Crave It
• Stirreras
• Rooftop Kitchen
• Happy Brew Kombucha
• Fabio’s Sausage and Pasta Bar

Join in the paw-ty and treat your furbabies to something good! Follow Spectrum Fair Manila on their Facebook and Instagram pages for more events and updates!

Location: Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

Time: 8 AM to 8 PM

Admission: Free