This week’s lineup of activities across the Philippines ranges from a design conference and live music to film screenings, stage productions, family events, and hands-on museum workshops. Here are events and shows to check out in the coming days and weeks.

Hear leading voices in design

The Design Center of the Philippines will mark a decade of its International Design Conference (IDC) with its 10th edition on Sept. 18 at the Foro de Intramuros in the City of Manila. The conference will bring together leading voices from the Philippines and other parts of the world to examine how design can respond to the complexity and diversity of the world today.

This year’s theme, “Designing for the Pluriverse,” draws on the work of Arturo Escobar and his view of design as a world-making practice. The conference will feature three keynote speakers: Dr. Jefa Greenaway, Dr. Tita Larasati, and Dr. Grace Nono, along with Filipino presenters from a range of fields.

The International Design Conference is free and open to the public. Interested participants may register and find more information at

Watch Nicole Laurel Asensio perform live

Singer Nicole Laurel Asensio will perform on Sept. 19 at 78 Salcedo in Makati. After more than two decades as a multi-awarded performer and recording artist whose work has traversed rock, jazz, classical, soul, and blues, Asensio’s next performance will seek to peel away the personas and strip the music down to its essentials.

She will perform 20 songs, divided into one set of older songs and another featuring spoken word, unfinished compositions, fragments of ideas, and several reimagined tunes. The show will begin at 7 p.m. at 78-45-33 San Agustin St., Salcedo Village, Makati. For seat reservations, call 0917-597-6661.

See Forgotten Island in nationwide sneak screenings

The animated film Forgotten Island will have sneak screenings across the Philippines on Sept. 19 and 20, ahead of its Sept. 23 release. The DreamWorks Animation original, which centers on Filipino culture, will be released in Philippine theaters before any other country.

The film pays homage to local culture through its cast of Filipino artists and musicians. Liza Soberano and H.E.R. voice the main characters, Jo and Raissa. The supporting voice cast includes Manny Jacinto, Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, and Jo Koy.

The soundtrack features homegrown talent including P-pop groups SB19 and BINI, Katseye’s Sophia Laforteza, Ruby Ibarra, and Carl Angelo.

Catch a Nyoy Volante show

Singer Nyoy Volante will perform on Sept. 19 in the second installment of 360° LIVE at Bar 360 of Newport World Resorts. Known for his acoustic pop sound, Volante will perform OPM favorites such as “Nasaan,” “You’re My You,” and “Time Machine” during the acoustic show.

A minimum food and beverage consumable of P2,000 will apply upon entry.

Go to Araneta City’s Trend Con

The first-ever Trend Con will be held on Sept. 21 at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2, in partnership with TikTok Shop Philippines. The event will bring together creators, brands, and communities to showcase trends and ideas shaping the digital landscape.

Trend Con will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is intended for people seeking to grow their networks and expand their reach in online shopping. Gateway Mall is located at the center of Araneta City in Quezon City.

Watch Resident Evil in cinemas

Zach Cregger directed the latest film adaptation of the iconic horror video game franchise Resident Evil, which is now screening in Philippine cinemas. The film is set in a frightening world of teeth, tentacles, and blood, where the infected wreak havoc.

Cregger co-wrote the film with Shay Hatten, with creature effects supervisor Shane Mahan helping bring its monsters to life. Resident Evil (2026) follows Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, who is tasked with transporting a package to Raccoon City as zombies overrun its streets.

South Pacific returns to the stage

Following a staging earlier this year as part of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music’s 80th founding anniversary celebration, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific returns, this time at the Proscenium Theater.

Set in the South Pacific during World War II, the Broadway musical tells a story of love, hope, courage, and the challenges of overcoming prejudice. Paolo O’Hara directs the production, with musical direction by Daniel Bartolome. Singer, actress, and television personality Ciara Sotto stars as Nellie Forbush, while composer and vocal artist Jose Vera Perez plays Emile de Becque.

The UST Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bartolome, performs Rodgers & Hammerstein’s score. The production runs until Sept. 20 at the Proscenium Theater at Rockwell Center in Makati City, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. and gala performances at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets cost from P1,000 to P5,500 and are available through Ticketbooth. Discounts are available for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

Reminisce with Bongga Ka, ’Day!

Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical is based on two films—Bongga Ka, Day! (1979) and Annie Batungbakal (1980)—both of which draw on the music of the original OPM band Hotdog.

Staged by PETA Plus in partnership with VIVA Communications and The Philippine Star, the musical opens at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Friday, Sept. 18. Directed by Chris Millado, it takes a “musical theater ang approach” to Hotdog’s iconic songs while telling the story of people involved in the disco nightlife of that era.

The musical centers on Annie, a simple employee at a fashion design firm who wants to make changes both in her workplace and on the dance floor. Atasha Muhlach stars as Annie, alongside John Lapus, Dindo Divinagracia, Jackie Lou Blanco, Ring Antonio, Sam Concepcion, Jeff Moses, and Anthony Rosaldo.

Performances are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., from Sept. 18 to Oct. 24. Tickets are available through Ticketworld.

Enjoy A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Repertory Philippines is presenting William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream until Sept. 27 at Saint Cecilia’s Hall in St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Directed by REP Artistic Director Jeremy Domingo, the production marks the company’s return to Shakespeare after nearly two decades. REP last staged Shakespeare with Hamlet in 2008.

Randy Villarama leads the cast as Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Theseus, Duke of Athens. Lesley Leveriza Lina and Giannina Ocampo-Van Hoven alternate as Titania, Queen of the Fairies, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and Theseus’ fiancée.

Dani Roque and Isabelle Prado alternate as Helena, while Sevee Eslabra plays Hermia, Luis Marcelo plays Lysander, and GK Diola plays Demetrius. Joey Cosio-Mercado plays Puck and Philostrate, and Joel Parcon plays Egeus, Hermia’s father.

The Mechanicals are played by Tristan Bite as Nick Bottom, Alexa P. Sandiego as Peter Quince, Rico del Rosario as Francis Flute, Ysh Bautista as Robin Starveling, Robert Bradly Hao as Tom Snout, and Bella Alejandro as Snug.

Tickets cost from P824 to P1,545 and are available through Ticket2Me and TicketWorld. For inquiries, contact Repertory Philippines at 0966-9054013 or 0962-6918540, or email promotions@repphil.org or sales@repphil.org.

See The Notebook: The Musical

Theater Group Asia presents The Notebook: The Musical, based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel and the 2004 film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

Directed by Nicholas Polonio, the musical follows the love story of Noah and Allie as it unfolds across several stages of their lives. Three sets of actors portray the couple: Benedix Ramos and Sheena Belarmino as the Younger Noah and Allie; Laurence Mossman and Morissette Amon as the Middle Noah and Allie; and Rody Vera and Celeste Legaspi as the Older Noah and Allie.

The production runs until Sept. 20 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit, Makati. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets range from P900 to P5,500 and are available through TicketWorld.

Bring the kids to Cinderella

Repertory Philippines’ Repertory Theater for Young Audiences presents Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper, beginning this weekend and continuing every weekend until Dec. 13.

Joy Virata and Cara Barredo direct the production, created by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics. Katie Bradshaw, Ornella Brianna, and Julia Santiago share the title role. Khalil Tambio and Radson Flores alternate as the Prince.

Shows will be held on select weekends at the REP Eastwood Theater, 4F Eastwood Citywalk, Quezon City. Tickets cost P1,545 for Orchestra Center and P1,030 for Orchestra Sides, and may be purchased through TicketWorld.

For inquiries, contact Repertory Philippines at 0966-9054013 or 0962-6918540, or email promotions@repphil.org or sales@repphil.org.

Check out the new OPM musical Muli

The creators of Sa Wakas, the jukebox musical featuring the music of Sugarfree, have reunited for a new original production. Executive producer and writer Charissa Pammit and director Andrei Pamintuan present Muli: An OPM Musical, a story about love, loss, and “what-ifs” set in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The cast includes Kakki Teodoro, Janine Teñoso, Vien King, Marvin Ong, Justine Peña, Marynor Madamesila, and Baus Rufo. Pammit and Jose Paolo dela Cruz co-wrote the musical’s book and lyrics. Its original songs were written and produced by Nica del Rosario, Matthew Chang, and songwriters from FLIPMUSIC.

Muli: An OPM Musical runs on select Fridays to Sundays until Sept. 27 at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig City. This weekend’s performances are at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and at 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Tickets cost from P1,854 to P3,914 and are available through TicketWorld.

Play at Estancia’s Kidtopia

Kidtopia Mini Stations, an educational and interactive experience combining play and learning, are open at Estancia until Sept. 30. The activity is designed to keep children engaged while creating opportunities for families to make memories together.

The stations include a Kid Sensory Station and Mini Competition Stations, where children can play, learn, and make new friends. Shoppers must present a single receipt worth P3,000 to gain access to the Kidtopia Mini Stations. Children will also receive a Kids Passport, which they can use to collect stamps and enjoy rewards with every visit.

Take a printmaking class at The M

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, or The M, is holding printmaking workshops every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until November. Open to beginners and experienced makers ages 12 and above, the hands-on workshops introduce various printmaking techniques and encourage participants to create original prints and experiment with color and editions.

The workshops are led by printmakers Ambie Abaño, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Jone Sibugan, and Anton Villaruel. Registration for the series remains open.

For more information and workshop inquiries, contact The M’s Education Officer, Pat Zulueta, at pat.zulueta@metmuseummanila.org.

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila is at the MK Tan Center, 30th St., BGC, Taguig. It is open from Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on public holidays.