Arts & Culture (06/17/26)

Exploding Galaxies turns 3 with sale

TO MARK its third year, publishing house Exploding Galaxies will be offering coffee, a little sale, and a space for reading at The Brewman Coffee House in Cubao Expo, Cubao, Quezon City, from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. The first 50 customers to buy a book get a free coffee. Each book — available at 20% off (excluding Canticles for Dark Lovers) — also comes with new stickers and an author bookmark (while supplies last). Exploding Galaxies’ Sarap cap and tote bags will also be available for purchase.

West Gallery to hold group exhibits

WEST GALLERY will open two group exhibitions: Seryosong Usapan sa Madilim na Area and DISC.CUSSION this month. The first exhibition features works by visual artists Froilan Calayag, Joey Cobcobo, Dex Fernandez, Mark Andy Garcia, Ryan Jara, Lindslee, Raffy T. Napay, Lynyrd Paras, Neil Pasilan, and Ryan Rubio. Meanwhile, DISC.CUSSION brings together a diverse group of artists including Poeleen Alvarez, Diana Aviado, Pandy Aviado, Luigi Azura, Jojo Barja, Plet Bolipata, Elmer Borlongan, Mars Bugaoan, Benjie Torrado Cabrera, Noëll El Farol, Don Kusuanco, Alynnah Macla-Tadeo, Angelo Magno, William Matawaran, Soler Santos, Taj Hassan Tadeo, and Anton Villaruel. The exhibits will run from June 18 to July 18 at West Gallery, 48 West Ave., Quezon City. For inquiries, contact the gallery at info@westgallery.ph.

Entrance discounts at The M

THE METROPOLITAN Museum of Manila is offering discounted admission rates throughout June in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, Pride Month, and Threads of Dreams, its newest exhibition presented in partnership with Bench and the Japan Foundation Manila. Visitors can avail of an all-access pass for P300 from the regular P550 rate, while senior citizens and persons with disabilities may enter for P240 and students for P150. In addition to Threads of Dreams, guests can view the exhibits Seams of Memory by Winna Go, Power of Engagement, and Femme Hommage, which features selected works from the museum’s permanent collection. The promotional rates are available for both online bookings and walk-in visitors until the end of June. Book a visit at: https://metmuseum.ph/visit.

Ateneo Press launches free book club

THE Ateneo de Manila University Press has established its own book club to introduce bookworms from all over the world to new books and each other, providing a space for new readers to discover thought-provoking reads. Moderated by a member of the Ateneo Press and a co-host from the Filipino book community, the club will hold monthly discussions, with opportunities to ask the authors questions. For June, the book of the month is Isabela by Kaisa Aquino, which is a rich and sensuous saga and refuge for the voices of women during revolutionary struggle. To join the book club, one must download the Fable application on their phone, set up an account, and search for the “Ateneo Press Book Club” in the Clubs section. Every month, a book from the Ateneo Press catalog will be picked to be read together. Announcements will be posted on Fable, Instagram, and Facebook.

OMOCHA exhibition goes to Iloilo

THE JAPAN Foundation, Manila, in partnership with Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), will bring the traveling exhibition OMOCHA: Japanese Toys Today to Iloilo City from June 27 to July 26, following its successful run in the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in Bonifacio Global City. Featuring more than 70 types of contemporary Japanese toys alongside exhibits on their historical origins, the showcase explores the evolution of Japanese toy culture from the Edo period to the present. Visitors can view examples from iconic franchises such as Gundam, Hello Kitty, Pokémon, and Transformers, as well as interactive displays featuring traditional and modern toys, including TOMY Asia’s Plarail and Beyblade lines. Admission to the exhibition and its accompanying events will be free, with a preview reception scheduled for June 26 at ILOMOCA.

MSO to hold Centennial Concert III on July 4

THE MANILA Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present the concert 80 Years of Filipino-American Friendship on July 4 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater as part of its Centennial Season. The concert commemorates the 80^th anniversary of Philippine independence and recalls the orchestra’s 1946 Gala Symphony Concert held during the country’s independence celebrations. Under the baton of conductor Jose Reyna, Jr., the program will feature Antonino Buenaventura’s Youth, Lucio San Pedro’s Concerto in D Minor for violin and orchestra, Artie Shaw’s Concerto for Clarinet, and George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture. Soloists include Juilliard-trained violinist Jeanne Marquez and Filipino-American clarinetist Jason Marquez. The event also marks the orchestra’s return to the Metropolitan Theater in Luneta, Manila, its longtime artistic home since the venue’s inauguration in 1931. For tickets, visit: https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=LIBERATN26