Virgin Labfest XXI: Final Encore Performances

Three of the most discussed plays from Virgin Labfest (VLF) XXI: Hubo't Hubad return for a one-night-only encore on Aug. 7 at 8 p.m. The featured works — Patayin Ang Mga Surot by Floyd Scott Tiongangco, Lualhati by Gab Mactal, and Taksyapo! by John Lapus — are drawn from different sets of the festival's original run. Now in its 21st year, VLF is the Cultural Center of the Philippines' annual showcase of new, unpublished, and untried Filipino works, making the encore set a rare second chance for audiences who missed sold-out sets during the main festival run. The venue is Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets are priced at P1,200.

Philippine Space Week Interactive Exhibit

In observance of Philippine Space Week, the Philippine Space Agency has mounted an interactive exhibit at Araneta City titled The 2026 Philippine Space. The display highlights national advances in satellite technology, space data applications, and scientific milestones. Philippine Space Week commemorates the signing of Republic Act No. 11363, the Philippine Space Act, enacted on Aug. 8, 2019, which established PhilSA as the nation's central space policy and development body. It is situated at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2. Admission is free and open to the public.

2026 Korean Film Festival at SM Cinemas

The 2026 Korean Film Festival runs Aug. 7 to 9 at participating SM Cinema branches, including SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM City Iloilo, and SM Lanang Premier. This year's lineup features adaptations that moved from page to screen: Your Letter, Love in the Big City, My Daughter is a Zombie, Omniscient Reader, and Yumi's Cells: The Movie. Under the theme "K-Story: Stories that Move Us," the festival explores connections among literature, webtoons, and cinema. The event is presented by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines in collaboration with the Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and SM Cinema. Schedule updates are available via KCC's Facebook and Instagram pages.

Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Gawad Alternatibo

The 22nd Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival screens full-length and short films at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City, from Aug. 7 to 18 — the festival's longest run to date, spanning two weekends. Founded in 2005 by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cinemalaya has grown into one of the country's most significant platforms for independent filmmaking, with past alumni including Lav Diaz, Auraeus Solito, and Joseph Laban. The program includes talkbacks, book launches, and a Philippine Premiere section for debut screenings. Under the theme "Reel Reflections," nine full-length films and 10 short features are in competition.

Running concurrently from Aug. 7 to 15 at Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet Cinemas is the 38th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Southeast Asia's longest-running independent film competition. The competition covers Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation categories, championing alternative cinema and giving emerging filmmakers a platform for creative exploration. Cinemalaya tickets cost P350; Gawad Alternatibong screenings are free of charge. Further details are available on the CCP and Cinemalaya websites and social media pages.

Lexus Pop-up Display at Robinsons Magnolia

Lexus Philippines is showcasing two flagship luxury vehicles — the Lexus LM and the Lexus RX Executive — at a pop-up display from Aug. 7 to 9 at the Main Atrium of Robinsons Magnolia. The three-day event pairs the brand's latest electrified innovations with lifestyle experiences. Visitors can personalize Lexus shirts and caps through a custom embroidery service for both existing and newly purchased apparel and receive a limited-edition Lexus dog collar charm while supplies last.

Asian Eats 2026 at Shangri-La Plaza

Asia Society Philippines presents Asian Eats 2026, its flagship culinary festival, at Mandaluyong's Shangri-La Plaza from Aug. 7 to 9. The Grand Atrium will be transformed into a cultural hub featuring culinary showcases, live performances, and interactive activities. Participating embassies and partner merchants represent Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Cooking demonstrations will be conducted by chef LV Wei of the Embassy of China, the Indian Women in Enterprise, Coco Mama, Kikkoman with chef Bruce Lim, and NutriAsia with chef Gerick Manalo. Admission is free. For inquiries, call 8550-2612 or e-mail manila@asiasociety.org.

Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet at UP Diliman

Following its successful premiere in Biñan last December, Mapanakit! Mga Dulang Bittersweet moves to the KAL-IBG Theater, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City — a milestone for Laguna-based YPC Stage as its first touring production outside its home province. Directed by BJ Borja and written by Eljay Castro Deldoc, the production comprises three one-act plays exploring love, boundaries, and hidden truths. A special gala performance is scheduled for Aug. 7 at 7 p.m., with regular weekend runs on Aug. 8 and 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at ticket2me.net/mapanakit. For group bookings, block sales, or sponsorships, call 0917-870-0496.

Light, Love, Legacy: A Jewelry Soirée in Makati

Local brands and artists present Light, Love, Legacy: A Jewelry Soirée on Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. at the SoFA Design Institute, Proscenium Retail Row, Makati City. The event features a jewelry talk, showcase, and auction celebrating the history of Philippine jewelry artistry. Organized by St. Theresa's College Quezon City alumni Batch '02 in partnership with the Guild of Philippine Jewellers, Inc., proceeds support the Sambayan Educational Foundation, Inc.'s scholarship programs and Queen of Peace, a home for elderly nuns associated with the school.

Featured speakers include Gigi Bermejo (Maria Angelica MNL), Fai Co and Knoi Esmane (Hoseki Jewelry Art), Maureen Yap (House of Amira Lakshmi), and Jay Cadayona and Kat Nantes (Love, Kat & Jay Jewelry). Additional collections come from Ocampo's Fine Jewelry, Piesa, SilverWorks, Luxapalooza Jewelry and Accessories, and Pulido by Charming Baldemor Studios.

Auction items include a circa-1800 Spanish colonial necklace of tambourin beads and pearls (starting bid P65,000), a citrine ring with old mine cut diamonds in 14-karat gold (P85,000), a carved wooden handbag (P69,000), an exclusive abstract painting collection by Kankan Ramos (P50,000), and a painting by Lala Jara Tuazon (P35,000). Tickets are P3,000 (includes jewelry talk, showcase, auction access, and cocktails) or P4,500 (adds personalized jewelry valuation and consultation plus a complimentary ambigram design). Purchase tickets at

Best of ASEAN Performing Arts 2026 Culminating Performance

The culminating performance of the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BOAPA) 2026 takes place Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. Young conference participants will perform alongside Alice Reyes Dance Philippines in excerpts from Rama, Hari, the landmark Filipino ballet first staged in 1980 with music by Ryan Cayabyab and choreography by Alice Reyes, based on the Indian epic Ramayana. Admission is free. BOAPA runs daily through Aug. 9 in Manila and Los Baños, Laguna. The event is organized by the Philippines' ASEAN National Committee on Culture and Information – Sub Committee on Culture, providing a platform for young artists to deepen cross-cultural understanding within ASEAN.

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4 at PETA Theater Center

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) presents Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sht! It's Live sa Cheter!*, running through Aug. 16 at the PETA Theater Center, Quezon City. Showtimes are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30 p.m., with additional Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Eugene Domingo reprises her role in this fourth franchise entry, which transitions from screen to stage to examine the challenges of creating theater in the contemporary Philippines. The franchise originated as Marlon Rivera's 2011 independent film, which earned critical acclaim and international festival screenings for its satirical take on Filipino indie filmmaking. The cast also features Meann Espinosa, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Andoy Ranay, JC Santos, Melvin Lee, Marlon Rivera (director of the first three installments), and Joshua Lim So. Maribel Legarda directs. Tickets, available via TicketWorld, range from P1,800 to P3,500.

Kidtopia Mini Stations at Ortigas Malls

Kidtopia Mini Stations combine play and learning at GH Mall (through Aug. 31) and Estancia (through Sept. 30). The interactive setup includes a Kid Sensory Station and Mini Competition Stations. Access requires a P3,000 single-receipt purchase. Children receive a Kids Passport to collect stamps and earn rewards across visits.

Printmaking Workshops at The Metropolitan Museum of Manila

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) offers weekly printmaking workshops every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through November. Designed for ages 12 and above, the sessions cover various printmaking techniques and are open to all skill levels. Instructors include printmakers Ambie Abaño, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Jone Sibugan, and Anton Villaruel. For registration and inquiries, contact Education Officer Pat Zulueta at pat.zulueta@metmuseummanila.org. The M is located at MK Tan Center, 30th St., BGC, Taguig, and is open Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed on public holidays).

Mitsukoshi Mall Third Anniversary Celebrations

Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC, Taguig marks its third anniversary with month-long activities. A Yukata Dressing Experience is offered every Saturday through Aug. 15, providing eligible shoppers with a full yukata fitting, hairstyling, and light makeup. On Aug. 29, Co. Collectibles hosts the Summer Paper Theater Activity featuring Ensky's papercraft kits for building layered miniature scenes. On Aug. 30, Pottery Sessions presents Ceramic Wishes: A Tanabata Pottery Experience, where guests can decorate ceramic pieces with Japanese and Filipino motifs or try the pottery wheel. Throughout August, pop-ups include EDYA1929's contemporary fashion from vintage Japanese kimonos and obis, and Frankie General Store's garments crafted from woven Philippine textiles.

El Fuego del Alma: A Filipino Adaptation of Tennessee Williams

Theater group Porvenir presents El Fuego del Alma, a Filipino adaptation of Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke, reimagined in a Philippine context. Eljay Castro Deldoc adapted the script, and Mark Mirando directs. The story follows Alma Ortega, a woman torn between spiritual devotion and earthly desire. Nour Hooshmand, Hariette Mozelle, and Opaline Santos alternate as Alma, with Sandino Martin and Vincent Pajara sharing the role of Juanito. The cast also includes Madeleine Nicolas, Rolando Inocencio, Sheryll Ceasico, JP Lopez, Janna Cortes, Ingrid Joyce, Johnny Maglinao, and Tristan Bite. Performances run Aug. 21 to 23 at Sine Pop, 14 St. Mary St., Cubao, Quezon City — Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are P1,800 through Ticket2Me.