Manila (CNN Philippines Life) — This weekend, catch a film festival, take part in a “lucky” run to celebrate the Chinese New Year, witness the launch of a spoken-word, multilingual poetry portfolio, catch your favorite OPM artists in one place, attend the pre-party of a surf and music festival, and try out skin diving.
The annual Spring Film Festival this year features six films straight from Hong Kong, including titles such as “A Complicated Story,” “Book of Love,” and “Wolf Totem.” Organized by the Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies (with the Film Development Center of the Philippines and Credit Suisse, along with Ateneo Celadon), the festival resumes this year on Jan. 25 until Jan. 29 at the Shangri-La Cineplex, and also features a Chinese painting exhibit, a Chinese music concert on Saturday, Jan. 28. The event also features a Chinese pastel painting workshop on Sunday, Jan. 29. Admission is free for all activities. For screening schedules and other details, check the festival’s Facebook page.
Bukambibig (by Spoken Word Philippines), a folio of performance poetry written in Bikol, Binisaya, English, Hiligaynon & Kinaray-a, Ilokano, Pangasinan, Tagalog, and Waray, will be holding “Aklas” on Saturday, Jan. 28. “Aklas” will feature spoken word performances and an open mic, as Bukambibig launches its new poetry folio, “Resistance.” Slated to perform pieces are Toni Panagu, Sal Lumban, Sam Changcoco, Paolo Dumlao, Ristichen Reyes, Leandro Reyes, Ken Sarmiento, Junica Madrid, Jaret Co, and Alexander Ignacio Lazona. Tickets are ₱150. Guests can register for the open mic at Conspiracy Garden, Visayas Ave., Quezon City. For more details, check Bukambibig’s Facebook page.
Fusion 2017: The Philippine Music Festival
“Fusion” brings fans up and close with their favorite OPM stars, including Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez, Bamboo, Andrew E., Yeng Constantino, Aegis, former Urbandub vocalist Gabby Alipe, James Reid, and Nadine Lustre. Also playing are rock bands and university favorites 6cyclemind, Gracenote, and Callalily, as well as indie darlings The Ransom Collective and Miles Experience. The music festival will be held on Friday, Jan. 27 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, and will start at 3 p.m. Tickets are available for ₱2,000 for VIP, ₱1,000 for Gold, and ₱300 for Silver, and may be purchased online at SM Tickets and TicketNet. Check their Facebook page for details.
Aliya Surf Camp Surf and Music Festival 2017
Aliya Surf Camp, in Baler, Aurora, heads to Manila to launch its first surf and music festival. The event will feature performances from Apartel, Markus Highway, The Riot Act, Bababa, Wilderness, and Dreadknot Used. A video teaser will be launched and raffle prizes are up for grabs. Entrance fee is ₱200, with one beer. The party will start at 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 at B-Side, The Collective, 7274 Malugay St., Makati. For more details, check Aliya Surf Camp’s Facebook page.
Celebrate Chinese New Year by being fit, through the CNY Lucky Run 2017 hosted by Affinitea. Registration for the run (in 3KM and 8KM) is ongoing at Sports House (MOA and SM Megamall) and AffiniTea SM North. The run starts Jan. 28, at SM By the Bay, North Fountain, MOA Complex. Check Affinitea’s Facebook page for more details.
Introduction to Skin Diving: Pool Session
Reef Nomads Skin Diving Tours is offering an introductory lecture on skin diving (swimming underwater with a face mask, flippers, and especially a snorkel, but without a portable breathing device) at an indoor pool in Scuba Studio, San Juan. The introductory lecture on Jan. 28, priced at ₱1700, includes two hours of practice in a deep swimming pool — without the hazards of open sea — and equipment rental (mask, snorkel, fins). Sign up through this link, and check their Facebook page.