What’s on MNL: Best Things to See, Do, Eat, & Drink on April 27-May 3, 2023

Ahh, another week is upon us, and you’re looking for cool things to get up to in Manila! We’ve saved you the hassle with The Beat Manila’s rundown of the best places to hit up and things to do right now—from blink-and-you'll-miss-it pop-up sights and new restaurant openings to the hottest activities that you shouldn’t miss.

To keep your finger on the pulse of the city, follow The Beat Manila to see what’s best in store for the week ahead.

1. 15th Philippine Food Expo

The only “All-Filipino Food & Beverage” expo in the country is back to bring together visitors and exhibitors, from local growers and manufacturers to culinary and food service experts, under one roof! Now in its 15th edition, the expo is set to provide a platform for the industry to exchange information, find market opportunities, and see the latest trends. Check the program schedule here.

When: 10 AM-7 PM, April 28-30

Where: SMX Convention Center, Seashell Lane, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

How much: P100 (Door fee)

2. Asian Eats 2023

Head over to Shangri-La Plaza Mall this weekend for a culinary feast that involves all things Asian. Hosted by Asia Society Philippines and various Asian embassies in Manila, let the event’s curated merchants immerse you in the multi-faceted expression and celebration of the region’s remarkable cuisines. Cultural performances and fun activities will also be part of the program to entertain guests.

When: 10 AM-9 PM, April 28-30

Where: Grand Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City

How much: Free

3. MNL48 5th Anniversary: Welcome to the MNL48 Fe5tival

Calling MNLoves! It’s time to celebrate the fifth anniversary of one of the country’s P-Pop pioneers. Join MNL48 as they hold a festival filled with interactive games, performances, free snacks, cheki sessions, and more. Don’t miss this chance to meet and greet your oshi as slots are limited. Get your tickets via MNL48’s website.

When: 4 PM, April 29

Where: 72nd Events Place, Pasig City

How much: P2,000 (Event), P500 (Live Streaming)

4. Pawchella 2023: A Benefit Concert for PAWSsion Project

Sing your heart out and become the voice for the voiceless as PAWSsion Project is holding another concert this year for the benefit of their pawsome rescues. Not only do you get to enjoy live music from Blaster and the Celestial Klowns, Dilaw, Sud, The Ridleys, and other amazing local acts, but you can also be part of a noble cause and save lives. If your furry buddies are used to outdoor events with loud music, you can also bring them along to join the fun! Get your tickets here.

When: 12 NN-10 PM, April 29

Where: McKinley Whisky Park, Lombard St., McKinley West, Taguig City

How much: P1,000 (Regular), P3,500 (Pawchella Pack, 5 tickets)

5. Sticker Con MNL 2023

There’s no such thing as too many stickers, and Sticker Con MNL is here to prove that! Prepare your wallets this weekend to meet, greet, and shop from more than 500 sticker artists and makers. The lineup will be different each day, so you’re sure to see a mix of favorites and up-and-coming artists in the local art scene. Check the floor plan and list of exhibitors here.

When: 10 AM-8 PM, April 29-30

Where: Whitespace Manila, 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, Makati City

How much: P100

6. Ozine Fest Summer Wildcard

It’s time to prepare your cosplays as Ozine Fest Summer is here to beat the summer heat with their fun-filled day of activities! Watch aspiring stars sing to famous anime tunes on Day 1 or enjoy the wildcard edition of their J-Music and Cosplay Competition on Day 2. Be ready to take out your wallets, too, as they have merchandise booths and exhibitors featuring local and international cosplayers, including World Cosplay Summit (WCS) Philippines guest judge Reika from Japan.

When: April 29-30

Where: Ayala Malls The 30th, 30 Meralco Avenue, Pasig City

How much: Free

7. FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw

Die-hard basketball fans will surely have an unforgettable Saturday as the FIBA Basketball World Cup (BWC) brings together 32 participating nations to The Dome. Get a chance to see FIBA BWC 2023 Global Ambassador and second all-time top scorer, Luis Scola, assist with the draw and expect thrilling performances by global hip-hop artist Saweetie and local artists Sarah Geronimo and Billy Crawford. Buy your tickets now via Ticketnet before they’re sold out!

When: April 29

Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum, 14 General Araneta St., Quezon City

How much: P160 (Gen Ad), P530 (Upper Box), P2,120 (Lower Box B), P3,710 (Lower Box A), P5,830 (Patron B)

8. Makerspace Sessions at The Mind Museum

Ready, set, make! Give your kids a good learning experience this weekend with The Mind Museum’s Makerspace Sessions in partnership with Fluor. For an additional fee, they’ll be able to participate in a hands-on workshop to further develop their STEM skills, build creations they’ll be proud of, and solve real-world problems. There will be two sessions — morning (10 AM-12 NN) and afternoon (1 PM-3 PM) — so you’re free to choose whichever works for your schedule.

When: April 29-30

Where: The Mind Museum, JY Campos Park, 3rd Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

How much: P100 on top of your Mind Museum ticket (P750 for all-day pass)

9. BGC Central Bark Bazaar

Still can’t get enough of all the pet-related happenings recently? No worries because another pet event is debuting this Sunday! Presented by Bonifacio Global City, Central Bark, and Presidential Paws, the first-ever Central Bark Bazaar will showcase pet and lifestyle brands offering accessories, toys, treats, insurance, and more. You can also bring your furry babies along!

When: 8 AM-6 PM, April 30

Where: Central Bark 2, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

How much: Free

10. Summer Art Recess: Crafty Study Breaks for Kids

Keep your kids busy this summer with Ayala Museum’s modern art workshops! Sign them up for a Squeeze Bottle Painting session this Sunday to have a deeper look at different abstract pieces, how they’re made, and how we feel about them. They’ll also be able to make their own masterpieces through big movements accompanied by music. Get your tickets here.

When: April 30

Where: 3F Education Studios, Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue cor. De La Rosa St., Greenbelt Park, Ayala Center, Makati

How much: P800 (Regular), P600 (PWD), P680 (Discounted for Ayala Museum members and Ayala Group of Companies employees)

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