Contemporary artists pay homage to Vicente Manansala

The exhibit Homage to Manansala’s Manila, presented by Art Forward Manila in partnership with the University of the Philippines Manila – Museum of a History of Ideas (UPM-MHI), runs until Sept. 3. The show brings together selected works by artists from Art Forward Manila, along with pieces by Manila-based artist and Manansala descendant Rosanna Manansala and UP alumnus Eghai Roxas.

Rather than simply recreating the master’s style, the participating artists were asked to respond to the ideas, subjects, colors, rhythms, and human stories that continue to make Manansala’s work relevant to contemporary Philippine art. The exhibit was curated by museum director Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor.

The museum also features rare illustrations by Fernando Amorsolo from the 1932 publication The Philippine Readers Series by Camilo Osias. UPM-MHI is located at UP Manila, Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila.

Gajah Gallery Manila presents rising SEA artists

Gajah Gallery Manila is presenting a new exhibition introducing works by rising artists from Southeast Asia (SEA). Titled Holding Structures, Soft Bodies, the exhibit features the latest works of Jemana Murti of Indonesia, Kayleigh Goh of Malaysia, and Sarah Choo Jing of Singapore.

Starting from the familiar promise of structure, the exhibition examines how the frameworks that organize everyday life are shaped by the people, histories, and technologies that inhabit and transform them.

The exhibit runs from Sept. 12 to Oct. 12. An opening reception will be held on Sept. 12 from 3 p.m. onwards, with the artists in attendance. An artist’s talk will follow on Sept. 13 from 1:30 to 3 p.m., centered on Kayleigh Goh’s creative practice.

Gajah Gallery Manila is located at Unit 1B-1E, NBS Park, 125 Pioneer St., Highway Hills, Barangay, Mandaluyong City.

Heathers the Musical is coming to Manila

Heathers the Musical is set for a limited run in Manila from Jan. 21 to Feb. 7, 2027, at The Theatre at Solaire, Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Parañaque City, following record-breaking seasons and sold-out runs in London, New York, and Melbourne. The production is presented by GMG Productions in association with Bill Kenwright Ltd. and Paul Taylor-Mills.

Based on the 1989 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, the musical follows Veronica Sawyer, an ordinary high school student who dreams of a better day. Her life changes when she is taken under the wing of three powerful and cruel girls named Heather. Veronica suddenly has status, attention, and a place at the popular table. Then a mysterious teen rebel, JD, arrives and turns her world upside down, forcing her to confront the darker side of being popular.

The musical includes songs such as “Seventeen,” “Candy Store,” “Meant To Be Yours,” “I Say No,” and “Dead Girl Walking,” written by Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives) and Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde The Musical). It is directed by Andy Fickman.

The Manila cast is led by Filipino performer Gerardine Sacdalan as Veronica Sawyer, Louis Hearsey as JD, and Liberty Stottor, Jessica Ibadin, and Lou Henry as the Heathers.

There will be a UnionBank presale from Sept. 8 to 11, followed by the Waitlist Onsale on Sept. 12. Both offer 10% off ticket prices and early access ahead of the General Public Onsale on Sept. 13. Tickets will be available at

The musical is recommended for audiences aged 14 and above. The production contains haze, loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights and strobes, strong language, and mature themes including murder, suicide, sexual violence, and references to eating disorders.

NCCA calls for research, grant proposals

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has issued a call for its Research Awards and Grants 2027, inviting researchers, scholars, cultural workers, artists, institutions, and other qualified proponents to submit research proposals that contribute to a deeper understanding, documentation, preservation, and development of Philippine culture and the arts.

Through the Research Awards and Grants program, the NCCA said it continues its commitment to supporting research as a foundation for cultural policy, heritage conservation, artistic practice, education, and the development of knowledge about the diverse cultural expressions of the Filipino people.

The call welcomes proposals covering Philippine arts, culture, heritage, cultural communities, creative practices, cultural policy, and other areas aligned with the NCCA’s mandate. Research may examine historical and contemporary issues, emerging cultural trends, local and community-based knowledge systems, traditional practices, artistic processes, and other dimensions of Philippine cultural life.

The Research Awards component supports distinguished research initiatives that demonstrate scholarly merit, originality, and potential contribution to Philippine cultural and artistic knowledge. The Research Grants component provides support for qualified research projects that respond to identified needs and priorities in culture and the arts.

For the Individual category, Research Awards have an allocated budget of up to P500,000; Master’s Thesis Project, up to P150,000; Doctoral Dissertation Project, up to P300,000; Advanced Dissertation Track, up to P500,000; Non-Thesis/Non-Dissertation Research Project, up to P300,000; and Community Research, up to P500,000. For the Organization category, Research Grants have an allocated budget of up to P1 million, and Community Research also has up to P1 million.

Qualified proponents are encouraged to review the complete 2027 Call for Research Awards and Grants, including eligibility requirements, research priorities, application procedures, documentary requirements, and submission deadlines, through the official NCCA channels.

The deadline for submission is Sept. 30, at 11:59 p.m., Philippine Standard Time. All eligible proposals will undergo a three-level evaluation process, including blind vetting, followed by final approval by the NCCA Board of Commissioners. Release of the final results is to be determined. Applicants will be notified by the Secretariat regarding the status of their proposals as they move through the evaluation process.

For announcements and further information, follow the NCCA through its official communication platforms. The official e-mail address for questions and clarifications is dissemination@ncca.gov.ph.

Exhibit opens for Larry Alcala centennial celebration

The Metropolitan Theater opened an exhibit on cartooning on Aug. 27, marking the centennial birth anniversary of National Artist for Visual Arts Lauro “Larry” Alcala.

Titled Return to the Popular: Drawing the Filipino Imagination, the exhibit highlights Alcala’s contributions to Filipino visual culture. It launched a year-long celebration of his legacy, an initiative of the Larry Alcala Estate. His iconic works include Slice of Life, Kalabog en Bosyo, and Siopawman.

At the center of the exhibition is the participatory installation Drawing the Line: The Nation Draws Back, where visitors can respond to prompts such as “Draw the Nation,” “Draw Hope,” “Draw Justice,” and “Draw Your Neighbor.” The exhibition runs until Sept. 19 at The Metropolitan Theater Gallery 2.

Beyond the exhibit, Larry Alcala 100 Years will continue to feature exhibitions, collaborations, public programs, publications, and community initiatives throughout the centennial year.

Wattpad joins the Manila International Book Fair 2026

Wattpad, the global web novel platform and storytelling community, is returning to the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) at the SMX Convention Center from Sept. 9 to 13 to celebrate the platform’s 20th anniversary.

As one of Wattpad’s largest global markets, the Philippines remains central to the platform’s ecosystem, and Wattpad is bringing together a lineup of Filipino writers whose stories have built multi-million-reader fandoms, topped best-seller lists, and been adapted into hit TV and film projects.

Across the five-day event, fans can visit the interactive Wattpad Booth to complete a “Reader Passport” challenge and collect exclusive anniversary merchandise. In-booth signings and meet-and-greets will take place throughout the book fair with authors including Knightinblack (Hell University), beeyotch (Seducing Drake Palma), and CeCeLib (Possessive).

Wattpad and The Hershey Company will also host an exclusive in-booth activation featuring top creators. In addition, Wattpad will hold a panel discussion on Sept. 11 titled “Just One More Chapter.”

For real-time updates and behind-the-scenes coverage during MIBF 2026, follow @WattpadFilipino.

Robinsons Malolos celebrates Singkaban

Robinsons Malolos is celebrating the culture, traditions, and festive spirit of Bulacan’s Singkaban Festival this month with cultural showcases, entertainment, sports activities, shopping deals, and special experiences for the community.

Cultural dancers and drum beaters will perform along the mall’s halls. From Sept. 6 to 19, the lineup of events includes the Viva Mall Show, a festive entertainment showcase featuring Viva artists; “Dink and Slay,” a Singkaban-inspired Pickleball Open Play that brings different pickleball clubs together for competition and a chance to win P5,000 worth of gift certificates; and the Red Hot Sale, which runs from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

RMalls+ app members can also enjoy exclusive promos from Sept. 8 to 15. Robinsons Malolos will host the “BESA Wedding Fair” from Sept. 11 to 13, bringing the wedding planning experience to life.

For more information on festival events at Robinsons Malls, visit www.robinsonsmalls.com or follow Robinson Malolos on its official social media channels.