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Manchester in Manila
American singer Melissa Manchester is on stage together with Imelda Papin from the Philippines in a show coming up in Manila.  [Show Time Out]

TIME OUT & ABOUT

Pub quiz nights, Tuesdays
Quiz nights are drawing the crowds at Murphy’s Makati pub every Tuesday evening. The general knowledge quizzes offer prizes of cash, vouchers for holidays and meals, wine and other drinks.
The participation fee is 500 pesos for a table of four people plus 100 pesos for each additional person at the table. Quiz starting time is 8pm. Information and bookings: Murphy’s Makati, phone +632 813 1378 or +632 894 1884.

American bazaar, January 27
The American Women's Club of the Philippines has its next monthly bazaar on January 27 (8.30am-3pm), with about 300 stalls selling mainly Philippine-made handicrafts, art, clothing and accessories, textiles, furniture, homeware and food, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.

Feng shui predictions, January 23
Event: Feng shui expert Marites Allen spells out her predications for the upcoming Year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar at her yearly day seminar in Manila.
Date: January 23, 2010,
Place: Center Stage, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
Participation fee: From 688 pesos to 2,088 pesos depending on advance registration date. Bookings through ARIVA! email successseminars@ariva.com.ph, phone +632 895 8058 or +63917 325 7870.

TIME OUT DINING/DRINKING

'Crossover' Sunday brunch
Sunday brunch diners can feast on a "Crossover" meal mixing Thai, Japanese and Italian specialties on the menus and at the cooking stations in restaurants at the Dusit Thani Manila hotel in Makati, including unlimited sparkling wine, Japanese green tea, pandan juice and red iced tea.
Cost: 1,450 pesos net for adults or 725 pesos net for children aged 6 to 12 years. Table bookings: Dusit Thani phone +632 867 3333.

Sunset barbecues
Sunset barbecues are now offered on Friday evenings (weather permitting) at the Pan Pacific Manila hotel’s Sundeck close to the swimming pool and bar. Several choices are available on the grill from 6pm to 9pm, including a mixed grill combo priced at 750 pesos and the mixed seafood combo for 700 pesos. Bookings: Pan Pacific Manila butler, phone +632 536 0788.

Heavy weekend brunch
An eat-all-you-can buffet brunch is now available on weekends at Chef Laudico Bistro Filipino in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila. For the price tag of 788 pesos plus service charge, hungry brunchers can choose among all 50 appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts on the restaurant’s regular a la carte and breakfast menus, with unlimited drinks lemon grass iced tea, sampalok juice, sodas and coffee. It’s available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm. Table bookings: Bistro Filipino, phone +632 856 0634 or 63917 800 2433.

Italian buffet
Grappa’s Ristorante, an Italian eatery in the Greenbelt 2 mall in Makati has a buffet meal promotion offering lunch for 498 pesos and dinner for 598 pesos, including a selection of meat, fish and pasta dishes with a carvery section. Table bookings: Grappa’s, +632 757 4897.

Fine dining, bottomless wine, Jan 29
The Tivoli restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel in Makati has fine dining evenings on the last Friday (7pm - 9.30pm) of each month where a seven-course dinner comes with unlimited refills of the evening’s featured wines. Next up is on January 29. Price: 3,600++ pesos. Table reservations: Tivoli, phone +632 750 8888 extension 2431.

TIME OUT ART

Silk-laden galleons
A major exhibit of a 16th century precious cargo – Chinese silk embroidery – and other features of the long-ago maritime trade between Asia and Europe, is on show at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati. The “manton de Manila” – the large, embroidered silk shawl with a long fringe that was much coveted in Spain – was in fact from China. The Manila tag was adopted because the Philippines was an obligatory port of call for galleons carrying Asian cargoes via Acapulco to Spain.
The exhibit explores the galleon trade with displays featuring antique and modern mantones de Manila, paintings of galleons and other merchant ships by Alfredo Carmelo, Chinese-made fans shipped to Spain, and porcelain dinnerware from the Qing dynasty.
There is also a display of contemporary Filipino inspirations drawn from the manton de Manila by 19 artists, fashion designers, photographers and other creative thinkers. They include Paz Abad Santos, Ambie Abaño, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Marina Cruz, Araceli Dans, Steve De Leon, Dopy Doplon, Margarita Forés, Danilo Franco, Jeannie Goulbourn, Katrina Goulbourn-Feist, Dan Lichauco, Tats Rejante-Manahan, Maxine Syjuco, Michelline Syjuco, George Tapan, Wig Tysmans and Ann Wizer.
Another supporting exhibit looks at the Philippines’ own embroidery traditions, including piña and jusi fabrics, with the various styles, motifs and techniques. It includes clothing and textiles, household and personal items from Parañaque, Lumban in Laguna and Taal in Batangas – towns known for their embroidery – borrowed from various private collectors and from the collection of Tesoro’s Philippine Handicrafts Organization.
The exhibition continues until December 19 at the Yuchengco Museum which is RCBC Plaza in Makati, open Mondays through Saturdays 10am-6pm and closed on Sundays and holidays. Admission costs 100 pesos for adults, 50 pesos for students and 25 pesos for children.
Information: Yuchengco Museum, phone +632 889 1234, email info@yuchengcomuseum.org.

Around the art galleries
Art exhibitions and shows currently happening in Philippine galleries and art shops include:
•   Ongoing exhibits from the permanent collection of the Yuchengco Museum in Makati include: abstract paintings by Helen Yuchengco Dee; paintings by Filipino masters Juan Luna y Novicio, Fernando C. Amorsolo and and Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco; portraits of the women in the life of Philippine national hero Jose P. Rizal, including Teodora Alonzo, Leonor Rivera, Segunda Katigbak and Josephine Bracken; and personal memorabilia of the museum’s founder Alfonso T. Yuchengco, reflecting his Chinese roots, businesses and his career as a taipan and diplomat.
•   “Sigla at sikap” is the title of a current exhibit celebrating the resilience of Filipino workers like mat weavers, food peddlers, farmers and vegetable sellers. About 30 artworks from the Bangko Sentral collection – including Jose Blanco’s “Puto Bungbong” and Norma Belleza’s “Magpuprutas” – are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex in Malate until January 30.
Information: Metropolitan Museum, info@metmuseum.ph, phone +632 523 7855 or +632 536 1566, website www.metmuseum.ph.
•   Colonial memories: Amateur videos from the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum and photographs of similar American expeditions are the basis of a three-screen video installation by London-based Singaporean artist Erika Tan exploring colonizing missions in Asia. It’s a cooperative effort between the University of the Philippines Vargas Museum and the National University of Singapore Museum.
Date: Continuing until March 30, 1020.
Place: UP Vargas Museum, Diliman, Quezon City.
Information: UP Vargas Museum, phone +632 928 1927, email argasmuseum@gmail.com.

TIME OUT ON SCREEN

Spanish films, Saturdays
Instituto Cervantes, Spain's cultural organization in the Philippines, screens free Spanish movies, most of them in Spanish with English subtitles, every Saturday (usually 6pm) at the Instituto Cervantes Salón de Actos in Ermita, Manila.
Movie schedule and information: Instituto Cervantes, phone +632 526 1282 to 85.

Italian movies in Manila
Italian movies are being shown monthly by the Italian Embassy and the Philippine-Italian Association at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Dream Theater in Pasay City, many with English subtitles. Admission is free.
Movie schedule and information: Philippine-Italian Association secretariat, phone +632 892 7253 or +632 815 1310.

Cinekatipunan screenings
Quality Philippine-made movies, many of them film festival candidates and award winners, are now being shown regularly in Manila at Mag:net Café in Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. They’re screened between the Mag:net galleries and cafe's changing menu of shows featuring good Filipino musicians, art exhibits, poetry readings, special performances and similar fare. The cafe is open for lunch and dinner with shows and/or screenings most evenings
Schedule information: Mag:net Café, phone +632 929 3191, email sinag_haraya@yahoo.com, website www.magnet.com.ph. 

‘Tito Cris’ Castro, December 15
Show: “Tito Cris” Castro, an internationally recognized magician and president of Philippine Inner Magic Club, heads a line-up of magicians who show off their skills in a family Christmas show called “Magic of Love” to raise funds for kidney-impaired patients.
Date: December 15 (7pm).
Place: Philam Life Theater, Ermita, Manila.
Tickets: 309 to 1,030 pesos through the Ticketworld website.

Manchester & Papin, December 19
Show: American singer Melissa Manchester is on stage together with Imelda Papin from the Philippines in a show coming up in Manila. Manchester sang her best-selling hits ("Midnight Blue," "Whenever I Call You Friend," "Don't Cry Out Loud," "You Should Hear How She Talks About You," etc.) in the 1970s. Papin, known as the “sentimental songstress,” is responsible for local hits including "Bakit (Kung liligaya ka sa piling ng iba)" and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig.”
Date: December 19 (8pm).
Place: Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.
Tickets: 525 to 5,250 pesos through the Ticketworld and Ticketnet websites.

Fireworks, December 19
Happening: The skies over Fort Bonifacio and nearby areas of Manila are being lit up during the World Pyro Olympics, with competing countries staging fireworks displays with synchronized music.
Remaining date: December 19 (6.30pm).
Place: The Fort Open Grounds, Taguig City.
Tickets: 206 pesos through the Ticketworld website.

SHOW TIME OUT

Flow dance & acrobatics, Dec 16, 18
Show: The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s PAGCOR Grand Theater's latest stage show is “Flow,” featuring a mix of Filipino singers and dancers with acrobatic performers and dancers from China and Cuba backed by big band music with illusionists and special stage effects – involving a cast of about 150 performers in all.
Upcoming dates:  December  16, 18 (8pm).
Place: Airport Casino Filipino, Parañaque City.
Tickets: 1,236 to 3,090 pesos through the Ticketworld website.

Disney On Ice, from December 25
Show: The family fun show “Disney On Ice” is back in Manila for the Christmas/New Year season.
Date: December 25 to January 3 except December 31 with several shows daily.
Place: Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City
Schedule & tickets: Ticketnet website. Tickets cost 150 to 1,340 pesos.

Jazz at Martinis
Show: Jazz is the main music in the coming weeks at Martinis bar in the Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel. The featured acts (9pm until late) are up-and-coming Filipino jazz singers and musicians: Kat Aggarado on Mondays, the Red Cats on Tuesdays, Manila Paris Confidential on Wednesdays, Skarlet and Coco Puyat on Thursdays and David Starck on Fridays.
Table reservations: Martinis, phone +632 750 8888 extension 2457 or 2548.

Concerts in parks, weekends
Concerts: Manila has free outdoor shows in parks at weekends  – Paco Park Presents in Paco Park, Ermita, on Fridays (usually 6 pm); and Concert at the Park in the Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium on Sundays (usually 5pm). On some Saturday evenings, depending on the weather, there are also ballet and other dance performances in the parks. Information and schedules: National Parks Development Committee website, or phone +632 302 7374.

N.O.A.H., January 16 & 17
Show: The Trumpets Inc. stage group is back on stage with two rescheduled dates for postponed performances of “N.O.A.H” (“No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat”) – a modernized fable based on the biblical story of Noah’s Ark.
Dates: January 16 & 17.
Place: Meralco Theater, Ortigas Theater.
Tickets: 515 to 1,236 pesos through the Ticketworld website.

Saosin, January 22
Show: Saosin, a young rock band from California – with vocalist Cove Reber, guitarists Beau Burchell and Justin Shekoski, bassist Chris Sorenson, and drummer Alex Rodriguez – is visiting the Philippines for a show:
Date: January 22 (8pm).
Place: A-Venue, Makati Avenue, Makati.
Tickets: 1,000 pesos through the Ticketnet website.

The Beach Boys, January 27
Show: The band still carrying the name The Beach Boys – the No. 1 selling American band of all time – is coming to Manila for a show. The current band lineup includes two surviving members of the original Beach Boys hit-makers of the 1960s and '70s, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, plus a rotation of other musicians.
Date: January 27.
Place: Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City.
Tickets: Inquire through Ticketnet, phone +632 911 5555.

Joseph Esmilla, Albert Tiu January 29
Concert: Violinist Joseph Esmilla and pianist Albert Tiu are on stage together in a rescheduled performance.
Date: January 29 (8pm).
Place: Philamlife Theatre, Ermita, Manila.
Tickets: 515 to 1,030 pesos through the Ticketworld website.

The Killers, January 31
Show: The Killers, an American alternative rock band based in Las Vegas – comprising Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr – are including the Philippines in an upcoming tour.
Date: January 31 (8pm).
Place: Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, Pasay City.
Tickets: 550 to 3,950 pesos through the Ticketnet website.

Trivium, February 13
Show: The American heavy metal band Trivium – i.e. Matt Heafy, Corey Beaulieu, Paolo Gregoletto and Travis Smith – is including the Philippines in an upcoming international tour.
Date: February 13 (8pm).
Place: A-Venue, Makati Avenue, Makati.
Tickets: 600 to 2,000 pesos through the Ticketnet website.

Madrigal Singers, February 13
Show: the world-touring Philippine Madrigal Singers are back in Manila for a “Madz about love” pre-Valentine’s show under choirmaster Mark Anthony A. Carpio.
Date: February 13 (7.30pm).
Place: Meralco Theater, Ortigas Center.
Tickets: 4,120 to 5,150 pesos including pre-show cocktails at 6.30pm, and 824 to 3,605 pesos for the show only, through the Ticketworld website.

Chicago, February 16
Show: Chicago, the American rock n rhythm n blues who enjoyed a string of worldwide hits in the 1970s ("Make Me Smile," "Color My World,” "Feelin' Stronger Every Day," "Just You ‘n’ Me, "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long," "Baby, What a Big Surprise," etc) is coming to Manila for a show.
Date: February 16 (8pm).
Place: Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City.
Tickets: 528 to 4,964 pesos through the Ticketnet website.

Galang & Panganiban, February 17
Concert: Pianists Abel Galang II and Archie Panganiban III play together in “Double A: A Piano Concert.”
Date: February 17, 2010 (7.30pm).
Place: Cultural Center of the Philippine Little Theater, Pasay City.
Tickets: 824 pesos through the Ticketworld website.

Rent, February 19
Show: The Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning rock musical “Rent” is coming to Manila, staged by the 9 Works Theatrical group and directed by Robbie Guevara. Loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” but set in New York City, “Rent” is the story of a group of young bohemians struggling to survive during the rise of the killer disease AIDS.
Date: February 19, 2010 (8pm).
Place: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, Makati.
Tickets: 824 to 1,751 pesos through the Ticketworld website.

Tatlong Maria, February-March
Tanghalang Pilipino's 23rd season ends with "Tatlong Maria," Rody Vera’s adaptation of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters,” a tragicomedy about the decay of the privileged class in Russia and the search for meaning in the modern world. "Tatlong Maria" is about the slow destruction of a family once regarded as one of the most respectable in society. From the original Russian setting, the play moves to a remote small town in the Philippines during the first decade of martial law. New York-based director/designer Loy Arcenas directs Mailes Kanapi, Diana Malahay, Angeli Bayani, Cheryl Ramos, Nonie Buencamino and Paolo O’Hara. The play runs  in Manila's Cultural Center of the Philippines through February 19-21 & 26-28 and then March 13-15 & 20-22, 2010.
Information: Tanghalang Pilipino, phone +632 832 3661 or +632 832 1125, email ccptanghalan@yahoo.com, website www.tanghalangpilipino.com.

•  More information, tips and advice about restaurants, shows, nightspots, events and other happenings in the Philippines can be found in the myPH Happenings Forum.