What to celebrate: Chinese New Year
MANILA, Philippines - People say that the holiday season ends after Three Kings. That’s when people finally take down Christmas decorations, refresh their gym memberships, and fully commit to their new year’s resolutions. We beg to differ. The real end to the holidays is the Chinese New Year, and the Chinese and Chinoys are celebrating it with a literal bang on January 31. Chinatown will come alive with lights, fireworks, and a chance to eat tikoy and other delicacies. Chinese families are holding their own celebrations so you can just join them, but if you want to be at the heart of the party, Binondo is the place to go. There’s an activity, restaurant, and view for every stripe, now that the Lucky Chinatown Mall is open. Watch the dragon dance, feast on Eng
Bee Tin, and be thankful that you live in one of the world’s most festive countries. Just pray that you’ll be lucky this year.
What to see: Ambie Abaño’s artist talk
Ambie Abaño is known for her splendid work with wood and her presidency at the Philippine Association of Printmakers. Today, she will be holding a talk and printmaking demo at the Altromondo Gallery as part of her ongoing exhibition “Lifted Veils.†She will talk about her creative process and her six-month residency in New York for the Asian Cultural Council, where she soaked in the vibrant art scene. This is worth checking out because a quick Google search reveals painstakingly good art. Everyone is invited to join, from the art-curious to art purveyors. A representative from the Asian Cultural Council will also be present to talk about the fellowship, so interested artists may learn a thing or two about the residency. To top it off, Abaño is raffling off three of her prints. Altromondo Gallery is located at the 3rd floor of Greenbelt 5.
What happens when you put musicians associated with bands in front of a turntable? We’re not sure, but that’s what’s happening next Friday at Attraction! Reaction!’s Turning Tables. For the night, they have invited Selena of Ang Bandang Shirley and Slow Hello as Tomatotoes, Ahmad of Your Imaginary Friends as Mr. Tangerine, DMAPS and Jay Gapasin of Tarsius, and Anj & Kathy of A!R! to spin their favorite tunes. We wonder what the DJs will play for its audiences at Today x Future, but the invites say “solid dancefloor vibes.†Can we expect some Avicii? Diana Ross? Pusong Bato? Find out next week.
Where to eat: Cook Out 2 Help Out
Who knew that gorging on gourmet burgers could actually do some good? Calories aside, celebrichefs Margarita Fores and Tony Boy Escalante are bringing back Cook Out 2 Help Out, an initiative to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity and the victims of typhoon Yolanda. For P300, you can get a burger, fries, and a drink. You can also upgrade to a gourmet burger for a better-tasting meal and more donations. Ice cream and milkshakes made from Holly’s Milk will also be on the menu on a give-what-you-can basis. Cook Out 2 Help Out will take place this weekend at 12 noon at the Plaza Drive of Power Plant Mall.
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