ep, the frequent radio airplays of Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas In Our Hearts” and the heightened temper-bending traffic makes it clear that the the ‘ber’ months are here. Aside from being the initial month of the pre-Christmas buzz, September also holds some astronomical and mystical significance for those who believe in how the autumnal equinox marks a shift to higher consciousness and gaining balance for any upcoming hibernation of sorts. In short, it’s a pretty good time to harvest inspiration.
Here are eight events happening in different cities in the Metro because, hey – if you happen to get stuck in the areas at the dates mentioned below, this list might just help keep you sane (or better yet, awesomely inspired).
Hibla ng Lahi Filipino Gallery, 4th Floor, National Museum of the Philippines, P. Burgos St., Ermita, Manila
Photo from the National Museum of the Philippines page
The National Museum puts a much-needed spotlight on traditional Philippine weaving by holding weaving demonstrations on all weekends this month. Catch these rare demos on backstrap loom weaving from the different Cordilleran weaving styles, particularly those from Ifugao, Samoki, Kalinga and Sagada.
Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay
Photo from Ticketworld
This may be your last chance to watch this opera composed by the late National Artist Felipe de Leon based on Rizal’s (very much still relevant) classic, since it was last shown 27 years ago. With key elements by De Leon (music) and Guillermo Tolentino (libretto) set against The Philharmonic Orchestra’s live scoring and a powerful cast at the foreground, “Noli Me Tangere: The Opera”isa worthwhile splurge – check out this teaser for yourself.
The Drawing Room, Metrostar Building, 1007 Metropolitan Avenue, Makati
Photo fromThe Drawing Room
There’s no shortage of galleries and museums when you’re in Makati, even when you’re not smack dab in the middle of the CBD. If you find yourself on Metropolitan avenue (intentionally or Waze-advised), take a look at Paris-based, Ifugao-rooted artist Gaston Damag’s new solo exhibition which “puts to the fore our struggle for historicity in art and the courage of an autumnal artist to open up his work as a remarkable event that happened and is still unfolding”, as it says on the Facebook event page.
Bonifacio High Street, Taguig
Photo of last year’s Art Mart from the Arts at BGC page.
If you’ve missed the previous legs of this event, here’s your chance at redemption. BGC Art Mart is back to serve you your dose of shopping for DIY knickknacks, art collectibles and other charming pieces that are lovingly handmade, mind-molded and made accessible for more folks to enjoy.
Keep an eye on the Arts at BGC Facebook page for updates.
Ground floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig
Photo from the official Facebook event page
If you want to dig a little deeper, check out this generative exhibition on Philippine art history, art criticism, and broad art based on major texts found in the Lopez Library archives. Fascinating features to look forward to include a reading room and laboratory for discussion, as well as written contributions. Dive into the practices of contemporary artists and other processes of other occupations in the Arts on the opening night at 6PM, as curated byPlanting Rice‘s Lian Ladia and Sidd Perez.
Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Photo from Film Police Reviews
We just have to give props to the Shang Cineplex, European Union and EU Cultural Institutes for keeping this film fest free. If it’s your first time, there are no prerequisites provided that you reserve your seat at least an hour in advance. If you’re just there to kill time, it’s cool – provided that you don’t do anything like talk on your mobile or companion loudly throughout the whole film (fights have actually ensued over of this).
In any case, check out this year’s lineup and screening schedules at the Cine Europa website.
Art Informal, 277 Connecticut Street, Greenhills East, Mandaluyong
Photo from Artinformal
Technically, this is also in Mandaluyong but if you happen to be in the Greenhills area, catch Nilo Ilarde’s exhibit titled Faulty Landscape, wherein installations depict terrains through paint and materials often discarded in art production or those that date back to several decades in the artist’s own collection. The result? Well, you have to see it with your own eyes.
45 Sct. Madrinan Street, South Triangle, Quezon City
Photo from the official Facebook event page
Visual artist Iya Regalario’s second solo show is set to exhibit works that combine her newly acquired skill in pyrography or wood burning (thanks to a self-initiated, post-employment personal retreat in Baguio) with her favorite weapons: illustration and wood. Drawing inspiration from Aristotle’s popular treatise, De Anima summons some of that mountain soul into the city, along with the artist’s latest sketches and mixed media sculpture that resulted from it. Peep it while you can.
