Regine Velasquez Valentine’s concert postponed
ABS-CBN Events and IME have postponed the Freedom: Regine Velasquez-Alcasid Digital Concert scheduled on Feb. 14 because Ms. Velasquez-Alcasid was recently exposed to someone who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is now in quarantine. ABS-CBN, in a statement, said all tickets sold for the original date will be honored at the new Freedom concert schedule, which will be announced soon.
Indian embassy holds yoga classes
THE EMBASSY of India, Manila presents a specially curated 10-week online course on Yoga by certified Indian and Filipino experts from Feb. 14 onwards. There will be regular classes every Tuesday (8 to 9 a.m.) and Saturday (10 to 11 a.m.). There will also be special classes held every alternate Sunday with the Isha Foundation. For more information, visit https://www.eoimanila.gov.in/page/yoga-classes/. To register visit : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OyaL8WsuuR1lCulGm4dWFk14byNQMTdFR2UnrKDLDu8. Registration is necessary and is on a first come, first served basis. The classes are free.
PPO holds virtual pocket performances
THE PHILIPPINE Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) will stage online performances through its Pocket Concert Series from February to July. Billed as The PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances, the first of the series of concerts will be streamed on Feb. 12 and 19, 8 p.m., Friday through the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Website. The repertoire for the Feb. 12 concert includes: “Romance Op. 19 no. 1” by Georg Goltermann to be performed by the PPO Cello section, “Ikaw at Ako” by Moira Dela Torre and Jason Marvin to be interpreted by Gary Silangcruz (flute), “Go the Distance” by Alan Menken to be rendered by Ernani Pascual (French horn), and “Nakikinig ka ba sa Akin?” by Ben & Ben to be played by Rey Casey Concepcion (viola). The PPO Online Pocket Concert Series is a program of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra which can be viewed from the PPO FB page and the CCP YouTube as platforms.
New Hope exhibit at Robinsons Galleria
TO CELEBRATE Art Month this February, Robinsons Land ARTablado presents a group exhibition dubbed as “New Hope.” The participating artists are Vicson Apostol, Salvador “Buddy” Ching, David De Vera, Rigor Esguerra, France Landicho, Rudy Lunod, Mary Jane Palma, Thomas Papa, Myleen Velasquez, and Gabriel Villalobos. This exhibit was conceptualized to help various artists who were greatly affected by recent typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. These artists were able to create artworks which were not damaged by the typhoons. Thirty-eight artworks will be on display in this selling exhibit. “New Hope” runs until Feb. 28 at the Level 3 Veranda of Robinsons Galleria.
Lunar New Year, Valentines events at Shang Plaza
THE COMING weekend calls for a double celebration as the world marks both the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. Mall guests at Shangri-La Plaza can join in the mall’s lineup of activities to ring in the Year of the Metal Ox and celebrate love too. No new year celebration is complete with the traditional Chinese dragon and lion dance that’s meant to drive bad vibes away and usher good fortune in. This year, the Shang will host them on Feb. 12 and 13. As a treat, mall guests will also receive fortune cookies upon entry at the Shang on the same dates. Mall goers can also have a chance to attract long life and luck — and enjoy a favorite noodle dish at a discount. Shang’s month-long Oodles of Noodles promo lets mall guests enjoy their favorite kind of ramen, pho, pasta, or japchae at discounted prices at participating restaurants: Banana Leaf, Kimono Ken, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, Italianni’s, Sbarro, SumoSam, Watami, Pho Hoa, Lemongrass, Hen Lin, Bon Chon, Pepper Lunch, and Sweet Inspirations. Meanwhile, Shang is pushing through with its annual Valentine’s Day Fair, which offers bouquets, sweet treats, and other gift ideas at the Level 1 of the Main Wing from Feb. 11 to 14. JV Bautista and Tek Cortez, the metro’s top buskers, will be going around the mall on Feb. 13-14 to serenade mall guests. For inquiries, call 370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.
BGC’s drive-in concert
THIS year, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) celebrates love in all its shapes and forms with a lineup of activities that includes the metro’s first drive-in concert. The 30th Street Open Carpark, BGC Corporate Center turns into a big concert ground with live performances by Rico Blanco and KZ Tandingan enjoyed from the safety and comfort of one’s car. To attend, exchange P2,500 worth of receipts (single or accumulated) from participating Bonifacio High Street (BHS) establishments at One Bonifacio High Street’s concierge booth (limited slots available on a first come, first served basis; only four persons per car will be allowed). The concert, which will be held on Feb. 13, 6 p.m., will also be broadcast on Q Radio 105.1 and livestreamed on BGC’s official FB page. Meanwhile, in partnership with HoritFilipina, a free-for-all al fresco dining area will be made available at Bonifacio High Street’s amphitheater from Feb. 13 to 14. Guests can order take-away from any BHS restaurant or scan the QR codes available to order and arrange for pickup or delivery. On Feb. 14, 7 p.m., a fireworks show will light the sky above BHS’ alfresco restaurants. For more information on these events, visit https://www.facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph or https://www.facebook.com/BoniHighStreet.
Welcome the Year of the Metal Ox at Ortigas Malls
THE ORTIGAS Malls — Greenhills Mall, Tiendesitas, Estancia, and Industria — roll out a grand welcome to the year of the Metal Ox that everyone can join. To bring in abundance and prosperity in the coming year, Ortigas Malls has laid out a host of activities that visitors can join on-site or from wherever they are through its zodiac forecasts and mall serenades. Astrologer Maritess Allen will give her forecast based on one’s Chinese animal zodiac sign. She will share her predictions on the year ahead for each sign at each Ortigas Mall on Feb. 12. Meanwhile, start the new year right by picking up some essentials and enjoy some Chinese delicacies at the Chinese New Year Fair in Greenhills Mall, Tiendesitas, and Estancia. The malls’ restaurants and shops are holding various Chinese New Year and Valentines’ promos and sales. Meanwhile, for Valentines, the Greenhills Mall, Tiendesitas, Estancia at Capitol Commons, and Industria are ready to make the celebration extra memorable and safe at the same time. Whether one opts to visit any of the restaurants, or choose to have these delivered to one’s home, there are a wide variety of restaurant options that suit every taste and preference, just check out Greenhills’, Tiendesitas’, and Estancia’s social media pages to learn about the specials and promos of the restaurants in their areas. For home delivery, make a choice via My Home Dashers (Greenhills 0917-815-6640 or Estancia 0917-851-9262). For an added touch, there will be acoustic music and saxophonists serenading visitors at Greenhills and Tiendesitas on Feb. 14. Drop by Letters of Love and get inspired by the beautiful words of aspiring romantic poets on Feb. 14 at 12 nn and 6 p.m.
Araneta City welcomes the Ox
ARANETA City welcomes the Year of the Metal Ox with a number of activities throughout February. Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza will all host Chinese Zodiac Sign Exhibits daily until Feb. 20. Meanwhile, a CNY & VDAY Bazaar is ongoing until Feb 16 at the Gateway Mall and Farmers Plaza. A Lunar New Year celebration is not complete without a Lion and Dragon Dance so they will be held on Feb. 12 at the Gateway Mall’s Activity Area (2 to 2:30 p.m.), the Araneta Coliseum Green Gate (2:30 to 3 p.m.), Ali Mall’s Activity Area (3 to 3:30 p.m.), and Farmers Plaza’s Activity Area (3:30 to 4 p.m.). Quieter acoustic performances and Valentines dining will be available. The Oasis at Gateway Mall will host performances by the quartet Mahestra.PH on Feb. 13, 6 to 9p.m., and Feb. 14, 5 to 8 p.m. The Times Square Food Park will feature performances by JC Laborte on Feb. 12, 6 to 9 p.m., Karl Zarate on Feb. 13, 7 to 8 p.m., and Josh Concepcion on Feb. 14, 6 to 9 p.m. There will be Pop Up Nights at Manhattan Row on Feb. 12, 6 to 9 p.m., with Josh Concepcion; Feb. 13, 6 to 9 p.m., with JC Laborte; and Feb. 14, 7 to 8 p.m., with Karl Zarate.
CCP debuts new short film, dance video
THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) brings healing and hope this Love Month with the world premiere of award-winning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog’s new film Ang Kabaligtaran ng Gunaw (The Opposite of the End), back-to-back with the launch of Hilom: Sayaw Dalangin ng Pag-asa at Pagkakaisa, on Feb. 14, 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., airing on CNN Philippines channels. Director Tarog translated the original poem with the same title written by playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc into a cinematic experience, featuring the original concept and choreography by Ronelson Yadao. Tarog also composed the music for the dance film. The eight-minute short feature film brings together the different art forms — from literature, dance, music, theater and film — to create a unique collaboration. Meanwhile, Hilom features folkloric dances associated with Filipino rituals and dance traditions to show how relevant dance is to the lives of the people especially during times of difficulty and challenges. After the twinbill premieres on CNN Philippines, the CCP plans to have a hybrid outdoor screening, Cinema Under the Stars, at the CCP grounds, following strict health protocols. There will also be an online premiere through the CCP social media accounts (official Facebook page and YouTube channel). For more information and updates, visit the CCP website www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and follow the official CCP Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts and YouTube Channel.
Juris, Jed Madela headline YouTube Music Night
Singers Juris and Jed Madela will headline the second YouTube Music Night in Southeast Asia with a back-to-back Valentine’s digital concert dubbed Hearts on Fire: Juris and Jed. The free digital concert will stream on Feb. 13, 8-9 p.m., via the YouTube channels of ABS-CBN Star Music, MOR, MYX, and One Music. Viewers can look forward to Madela’s version of Moira Dela Torre’s “Paubaya” and Juris’ classic “’Di Lang Ikaw,” and more love-themed performances.
La Sabina online
THE OPENING movie of the film series dedicated to Spanish actress Ángela Molina is La Sabina, a drama directed by José Luis Borau in 1979. The story, which in a way is a new adaptation of the myth of the femme fatale Carmen, is about an English writer who moves to a Spanish village and, once there, decides to investigate the life of a compatriot who lived in the same town in the 19th century, and who, according to the locals, was killed by a dragon woman known as “La Sabina.” The movie will be accessible for free online from the Philippines only on Feb. 13 and 14. It will be in Spanish with English subtitles. To access the film, go to https://vimeo.com/501867137. For further information on the film, visit https://cultura.cervantes.es/manila/en/La-sabina/140154 and https://www.facebook.com/events/161791552193592