July officially makes way for August this weekend, with mostly just the rainy weather carrying over.
The year’s eighth month is mostly recognized for activities dedicated to nationalism and the Filipino language, and the first few events of August are an indication of what’s to come.
Here is a list of events for the first weekend of August (and the last day of July).
Filipino music
Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino is debuting this year a two-part conference and concert series, MusikaTalakayan, gathering musicians, scholars, artists, cultural workers and music enthusiasts for conversations on the evolving local music landscape.
The second day of the event titled “Musika at Industriya: Pamana, Kaalaman, at Malikhaing Ekonomiya” is on July 31 at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros, Manila.
Discussions will continue on exploring local musical heritage, education, documentation, and understandin the role of the creative economy in sustaining the Philippine music industry.
Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino will close the following day at the MET Ballroom with the “Bagong Musika at Himig Natin: NCCA Composition Prize World Premiere Series,” highlighting award-winning compositions across various categories.
Speaking of music, indie band The Ridleys is staging its “Our Story (Draft #100)” shows on July 31, August 1 and 2 at the Metropolitan Theater Manila.
Taking place on the same days at the Theater at Solaire is “The Symphonic World of Studio Ghibli” as Filharmonika Orchestra under the baton of maestro Gerard Salonga performs a purely orchestral program of composer Joe Hisaishi’s music from Studio Ghibli films.
Two hours of music include scores from “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” all part of events commemorating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines.
Exhibits and more
This weekend’s race highlight is the ColorFest Electic Nightrun happening the evening of August 1 around the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay, a colorful celebration of fitness and music.
Continuing in the nearby SMX Convention Center as well as the World Trade Center until August 2 is this year’s World Food Expo, dubbed the “ultimate food show experience.”
Meanwhile, Artefino is marking its tenth anniversary with “Heritage in Motion” this weekend, also until August 2 at two locations – The Fifth at Rockwell and Powerplant Mall – celebrating Filipino heritage, craftsmanship, artisans and designers.
One final July event is a blood donation drive organized by the Philippine Red Cross to mark the close of National Blood Donors Month.
July 31 is the last day for volunteers to donate their blood at Quezon City’s Farmers Plaza Activity Center, with the donated blood going to supplies for medical emergencies and lifesaving treatments.