Joy Rojas mounts exhibit at ArtistSpace
THE exhibition Sequens Gradus by Joy Rojas is ongoing at ArtistSpace. Here, the artist extends the possibilities of abstraction by introducing recognizable people, cultural references, places, and images in his visual language. The exhibit includes the “Master Color” series, where Mr. Rojas frames a man and woman dancing, as well as a pair of children, within the illusion of an interior space. Sequens Gradus is on view until Oct. 26, with an artist’s reception on Oct. 18 at 4 p.m., at ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Ave. cor. De La Rosa St., Greenbelt Park, Makati City.
Levi Masuli experiments with gate patterns, doorbell sounds
SOUND artist and writer Levi Masuli has mounted an exhibit that asks: what sounds precede — and perhaps permit or prevent — entry? Extending from the artist’s usual craft of installations, sonic essays, and experimental text, Door is Bell presents images of wrought-iron gates and their repeated patterns across urban middle-class neighborhoods and homes and translates these familiar forms into musical scores played through fabricated doorbells. The exhibit runs until Nov. 8 at Wanted Bedspacer, located in Room 2 of Chapterhouse, 32 Madasalin St., Quezon City.
Gary-Ross Pastrana, Liv Vinluan at Silverlens
TWO exhibits are on view at Silverlens Manila this month. One is sign, signal, shadow by Gary-Ross Pastrana, a series of works that explores the art of collage, constructed through fragments once derived from a single thought. Meanwhile, Soft, Incandescent Rage by Liv Vinluan looks at the fragile moments that allow for a house, prone to falling apart, to hold its forbearance, through the amalgamation of tropes of womanliness, marriage, motherhood, and family devotion. Both shows are on view until Nov. 13.
Symposium highlights role of art in climate crisis
THE Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) is presenting a talk titled “Transient Landscapes: Art and Climate Narratives.” The two-day symposium examines the ongoing state of flux between human intervention and natural ecosystems, featuring a panel of conservationists, development workers, artists, and designers from the Philippines and beyond. Registration starts at P300 for half a day, P1,500 for a whole day, and P2,000 to cover the two-day duration of the program. Students are eligible for a P500 discount for a two-day pass. It is scheduled for Oct. 15 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be held at the David M. Consunji Ideation Room at the Atrium @ Benilde Campus in Malate, Manila. Interested participants may register through bit.ly/MCAD-ClimateSymposium.
PPO goes nostalgic with harpist Vien Ignacio
THE Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) is continuing the musical journey of its 42nd season with CONCERT II: Elegance, slated for Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. Part of the nostalgic repertoire are Filipino conductor Redentor Romero’s Philippine Portraits, Handel’s Harp Concerto in B-flat Major, Op. 4, No. 6 (HWV 294), and Polish composer Zygmunt Noskowski’s The Steppe. Pedal harp prodigy Vien Ignacio is the night’s guest. Tickets are available at TicketWorld.
Tops ArtFest holds plein-air painting tilt
A PLEIN-AIR painting competition titled “Perspective Play” is offering up to P50,000 in cash prizes as part of this year’s Tops ArtFest in Cebu City. The call for participants is open to student and professional artists who would like to explore how observation, imagination, and personal interpretation can transform a familiar scene into something uniquely their own. Artists must create their entries onsite, drawing inspiration from their immediate surroundings. All artistic approaches are welcome, ranging from realism to figurative abstraction. It will be held on Oct. 23 at The Circle, TOPS, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Artwork submission will take place at Hostel Honeycomb on Oct. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m., and on Oct. 24, from 8 to 10 a.m.
TGA to stage Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba
THEATRE Group Asia (TGA) is bringing internationally acclaimed director and playwright Chay Yew to the Philippines to direct Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba, an adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s classic drama, translated into Filipino by Guelan Varela Luarca. Lea Salonga will star in the production. Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba marks his Philippine directorial debut. It is about a strict matriarch and her five daughters who are expected to observe absolute obedience within the household. It will be staged in February 2027 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater. Tickets will be available through TicketWorld, beginning with a pre-sale for BPI cardholders from Oct. 19 to 21, followed by an exclusive pre-sale for TGA subscribers on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Public ticket sales begin on Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.
GMG bringing CHICAGO The Musical to Manila
GMG Productions, in association with Barry & Fran Weissler and David Ian, will bring CHICAGO The Musical back to Manila for a limited run from March 9 to 28, 2027, at The Theatre at Solaire. Known as Broadway’s longest-running American musical live on stage, CHICAGO was last staged in Manila in 2014. The Tony Award-winning musical celebrates 30 years on Broadway. Set in 1920s Chicago, it follows Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who finds herself on trial for murder and must turn her crime into a sensational media spectacle. It features iconic numbers including “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “Razzle Dazzle,” and “Nowadays.” The UnionBank presale is ongoing until Oct. 15, offering UnionBank cardholders 10% off, followed by the GMGP Waitlist Presale on Oct. 16, also with 10% off. General public ticket sales start on Oct. 19. Register for the waitlist to get early access here: chicago-mnl.gmg-productions.com.
Sunset Boulevard coming to Manila in 2027
CUE CRAFT Entertainment has announced that they are bringing Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Sunset Boulevard to Manila for its Philippine premiere. It will be staged in August 2027, through an arrangement with LW Entertainment Ltd., at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, in Makati. The cast and production team have yet to be announced, but the organizers have said that there will be a mix of local and international talent, with original staging designed exclusively for the Philippines.