Stuff to Do (11/13/26)

Celebrate zarzuelas

ON Nov. 14, the Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Teatro de la Zarzuela, will present, for a second year in a row, Zarzuela>Sarswela, a musical celebration of the shared cultural heritage of Spain and the Philippines. This concert, the culmination of a five-day zarzuela workshop led by Spanish pianist Belén Castillo and Spanish soprano María Rodríguez, will take place at the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas, on Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, with online registration required through the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/gwvtzT5AY1.

Help Basil Valdez celebrate his birthday

SINGER Basil Valdez marks his 75^th birthday with a concert, Salamin ng Buhay: Basil S. Valdez @ 75, on Nov. 14 and 21, 7 p.m., at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, BGC, Taguig. For more than five decades, Mr. Valdez’ music has been part of Filipinos’ lives, with classics such as “Ngayon at Kailanman,” “Nais Ko,” “You,” “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan,” and “Kastilyong Buhangin.” The production will feature special performances with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers on Nov. 14 and the Ateneo Chamber Singers on Nov. 21. Tickets are available via Ticketworld online and all outlets, including the BGC Arts Center Box Office.

Watch an opera

A REIMAGINING of Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen set in postwar Manila, Karmen 1949 will run from Nov. 13 to 22 at the Doreen Black Box Theater, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City. It is set in 1949, four years after the Battle of Manila, as the city recovers from war. Karmen, a young woman determined to live on her own terms, is drawn to Philippine Constabulary officer Jose. It stars Roxy Aldiosa as Karmen, Bryan Homecillo as Jose, Angeli Benipayo as Micaela, Ivan Nery as Camillo, Brian Sy as Zuniga, Noel Rayos as Lillas Pastia, and Tarek El Tayech as Garcia. It is directed by Jaime del Mundo, with Farley Asuncion as musical director and translator. Karmen 1949 runs for two weekends, from Nov. 13 to 15 and Nov. 20 to 22, with performances on Fridays at 8 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets, priced at P2,000, are available via https://arete.helixpay.ph/.

Enjoy a comedy of errors

GMG PRODUCTIONS presents the Manila leg of the world touring production of the Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque. It depicts an amateur theater company’s attempt to stage a classic murder mystery, which quickly unravels as collapsing sets, disappearing props, forgotten lines, and a series of mishaps derail the performance. It has been staged in more than 50 countries worldwide. Tickets, priced from P999 to P4,000, are available through TicketWorld.

Go for a midnight run in Clark

HOKA, in collaboration with The Athlete’s Foot, will hold the HOKA Midnight Run Asia in Clark on Nov. 15, with a Shakeout Run beforehand. The race distances are 5K, 10K, and 21K. Adding to the experience, HOKA will set up its Motion Pod at the race village, where runners can explore the brand’s latest performance footwear, participate in interactive activities, and win exclusive HOKA prizes and rewards. At the Motion Pod’s Try-On Zone, runners can experience the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0, a high-performance racing shoe, and the Rocket X 3, a carbon-fiber super shoe. Participants can try either shoe ahead of their chosen race distance and may even wear them during the event. Try-on pairs are available in limited quantities.

Go shopping at Decathlon’s 11.11 online sale

DECATHLON’S biggest 11.11 online sale is happening exclusively on decathlon.ph and the Decathlon shopping app until Nov. 17. Its offerings include thermal base layers, packable windbreakers, cabin-friendly backpacks, quick-dry towels, waterproof hiking shoes, and dry bags. Highlighted on the site and app are practical, budget-friendly gear.

Watch Pinoy films at QCinema 2026

SEVERAL new Filipino features and shorts will premiere at the QCinema International Film Festival’s 14^th edition. Headlining this year’s festival is the world premiere of its opening film, Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko, directed by Mervin Malonzo. Based on the graphic novel series Ella Arcangel by Julius Villanueva, Mr. Malonzo’s feature debut revolves around the titular young mambabarang who uses her supernatural abilities to fight both humans and mythical creatures to protect her community. Co-produced by GMA Pictures and featuring Bianca Umali as the voice of Ella, it is the only animated feature in Asian Next Wave — QCinema’s flagship competition for emerging Asian auteurs. The film was also a recipient of the Philippines Co-production Grant at the 2023 QCinema Project Market. Also premiering is Lav Diaz’s latest work, Makikiraan Po (Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors), recently premiered out of competition at the Venice International Film Festival, where it received the Brian Award. Set during the Spanish colonial period, the historical drama reflects stories of Philippine history, violence, and oppression, featuring an ensemble cast including Bart Guingona, Ronnie Lazaro, Isabel Sandoval, Yul Servo, Christian Bables, Bong Cabrera, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, and Amado Arjay Babon. QCinema runs until Nov. 22 in various cinemas in Quezon City.

Learn about local enterprises

FROM Nov. 13 to 17, the Quantum Skyview at Upper Ground B, Gateway Mall 2, in Quezon City will be host to the Department of Trade and Industry – National Capital Regional Office’s (DTI-NCRO) 10^th anniversary of Metro Fiesta. With this year’s theme, “Where Diversity, Creativity, and Technology Converge,” the five-day event features a comprehensive product exhibition, live craft demonstrations, cultural performances, and specialized learning sessions covering Generative AI, digital transformation, halal export readiness, gender and development, and sustainable enterprise practices.

Watch The End of Oak Street on HBO Max

WARNER BROS. Pictures’ The End of Oak Street is making its global streaming debut exclusively on HBO Max on Nov. 13. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella and Christian Convery. Set in Oak Street, where a mysterious cosmic event rips the suburbs apart and transports their neighborhood to someplace unknown, it follows the Platt family as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings. The movie is written and directed by David Robert Mitchell.

Enjoy 85% off at Watsons’ sale

WATSONS will offer massive deals, from up to 85% off on products, a P185 discount, and a chance to win P18,500 GCash credits for its November Nationwide Sale, the last one for the year, which will be held on Nov. 13 to 15. Watsons is offering discounts of up to 85% off on top health brands such as Watsons Generics, Meiyi, Salonpas, Contractubex, Met, Myra Ultimate, Belo, Hyastad, Regroe, and Hygienix; beauty products from Garnier, Ponds, Neutrogena, Olay, Dr G, Vaseline, Luxe Organix, Pink Dolly, Pretty Secret, and Dr O and more. Watsons is also treating customers to a P185 discount for a minimum spend of P1,850. And 20 lucky winners will take home P18,500 in GCash credits when they pay via GCash during the November Nationwide Sale. Meanwhile, Watsons Club members will enjoy exclusive perks, stackable discounts, and bonus points on top of the Nationwide Sale deal. Watsons also partnered with banks such as VYBE by BPI, Metrobank, RCBC, and Maribank to offer more payment perks and additional cashback deals. Online shoppers also have a chance to win instant prizes when they spend P2,000 online via the Watsons App — Watsons is giving away P11 million worth of prizes such as streaming subscriptions, movie passes, and travel vouchers.

Refresh your knowledge of Dune

TO RELIVE the journey before experiencing the third and final installment of the film series this December, Dune and Dune: Part Two are back in cinemas and IMAX for one week starting Nov. 11. The screenings will include an exclusive sneak peek of Dune: Part Three, the conclusion to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy. The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, and Anya Taylor-Joy, among others. It opens in cinemas and IMAX on Dec. 16, with more sneak previews slated for Dec. 15.

Buy some books

BIG BAD WOLF has announced that signed Harry Potter favorites and exclusive collectible editions are among the highlights of the book fair this year, giving fans the chance to discover special editions without leaving the Philippines. Running until Nov. 18 at the 5^th Floor, Park Triangle Mall, BGC, it offers signed copies of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The sale will also feature collectible editions from London’s Goldsboro Books, alongside works by Jeffrey Archer, Harper Lee, and Richard Osman.