The Rolling Stone Philippines Weekend Guide offers anything from your favorite international films being screened at your local cinema to your dimly lit music venues showcasing some headbanging and moshpit-starting rock music.
BACKSHOW
123Block, Mandala Park, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City
May 15, Friday
4:30 p.m.
P600
Waiian will be celebrating the (late) first-year anniversary of his third album BACKSHOTS alongside hip-hop and R&B acts set to open for him. The occasion will celebrate the impact, the hit songs, and the community that has grown around the album, generating memorable bangers like “MAN IN THE MERROR,” “SOFTIE” with Nicole Anjela, “MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES,” and many more. The show will feature openers such as rising rapper La Mave, Waiian’s rap collective KARTELL’EM, singer Karmela Roxy, and others.
Jack Daniels Mixtape
12 Monkeys, Estancia Mall, Capital Commons, Pasig City
May 16, Saturday
5:00 p.m.
Free Admission
Jack Daniel’s will be celebrating the indie spirit with their semi-annual showcase MIXTAPE in collaboration with numerous production houses from the alternative scene. The event will feature an artist market with local favorites, DJ sets courtesy of Locked Down Entertainment, side activities from SYQL Productions, and exclusive collaborations with bands such as Novocrane, ALYSON, cheeky things, Halina, Pinkmen, and more.
Goon Lagoon EP Launch
Sari Sari Bar, 5661 Washington St. cor. Dela Rosa St., Makati City
May 17, Sunday
7:00 p.m.
P350
Noise rock outfit Goon Lagoon will be releasing their much-awaited sophomore EP with a wide range of alternative acts spanning from 2000s math rock to 2020s grunge-inspired music, with openers such as Twin Lobster, Identikit, sci fye, and Musical O. Sari Sari will turn itself inside out with louder ringing noise from Goon Lagoon and upcoming songs from the EP, including “Decent Man” and “Basketball.”
‘Slant of Light/Hilig ng Liwanag: Mga Piling Saling-Tula ni Emily Dickinson’
Room V, Chapterhouse, 32 Madasalin St. Sikatuna Vil., Quezon City
May 16
3:00 p.m. onwards
Entry is free and open to the public
Independent publishing press Paper Trail Projects is releasing a collection of selected poems by Emily Dickinson, translated by Gantala Press founder Faye Cura. Cura will give a talk on her translation process for the book, which will have Dickinson’s poems in both English and Filipino.
House 2 House Vol. 7
Dogzilla Studio, 102 7th St., Grace Park East, Caloocan
May 16 to 17
Ticket prices range from P700 to P900
For its seventh edition, House 2 House returns for two days’ worth of dance workshops, dance battles, and guest performances. A collaborative effort between dance collectives Padyak PH and Indahouse UK, House 2 House aims to nurture the local house dance community through education, movement, and international exchange.
‘When Opportunity Knocks’
The Grey Space, 331 P. Guevarra St., Little Baguio, San Juan
May 16
Event is free and open to the public
Presented by VERYGOOD Gallery and The Grey Space, When Opportunity Knocks is an art exhibition that brings together Filipino artists interested in exploring the intersection of readiness and chance. The exhibition will feature the works of creatives such as Andres Catig, Mao Mao, Judeo Herrera, Kat Mory, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The top hip-hop event this weekend is Waiian’s “BACKSHOW” anniversary concert at 123Block in Mandaluyong City on Friday, May 15, at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost P600. The show celebrates his third album and features live performances by rap collective KARTELL’EM, La Mave, and Karmela Roxy.
You can catch live indie music at the Jack Daniel’s Mixtape showcase at 12 Monkeys in Pasig on Saturday, May 16, featuring ALYSON and Pinkmen. Additionally, Goon Lagoon is hosting their noise-rock EP launch at Sari Sari Bar in Makati on Sunday, May 17, for P350.
Yes, there are multiple free cultural events this weekend. You can attend the Emily Dickinson bilingual poetry book launch at Chapterhouse in Quezon City on Saturday, May 16. Alternatively, the “When Opportunity Knocks” contemporary art exhibition is open to the public for free at The Grey Space in San Juan.
You can attend the House 2 House Vol. 7 dance event at Dogzilla Studio in Caloocan from May 16 to 17. Organized by Padyak PH and Indahouse UK, this two-day weekend event features street dance workshops, competitive dance battles, and guest performances with tickets priced from P700 to P900.
The best weekend itinerary in Metro Manila spans from Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, 2026. It features a diverse mix of hip-hop and indie rock gigs in Mandaluyong and Pasig, poetry book launches in Quezon City, street dance battles in Caloocan, and art galleries in San Juan.
