5 Exciting Things to Do in Manila and BeyThis Weekend

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.

Cosplay Mania

Apotheka, White Rabbit Bldg., 5672 Dona Carmen St. cor. General Luna St., Poblacion, Makati
October 2-4
10:30 a.m.
P648

Cosplay Mania returns this year with its “Dazzling Diamond” theme, bringing together a packed lineup of international guests spanning music, voice acting, and the global cosplay scene. Attendees can expect appearances from singer Nami Tamaki, voice actress Ayundo Risu, and artist ZAQ, alongside a wide roster of cosplayers including Axel Syrios, Goldbullet, and Crimzon Ruze, among many others.

Laput I

Apotheka, White Rabbit Bldg., 5672 Dona Carmen St. cor. General Luna St., Poblacion, Makati
October 3
10:00 p.m.
P800

Laput I gathers a lineup of queer, trans, and drag performers for a night celebrating drag queen’s O-A’s birthday rave. Headlining the drag performances are O-A, Malayaugh, and Pura Luka Vega, while DJ sets throughout the night will feature Edgy, Matilduh, and Gelo, with additional DJs Congruum and Tradergelo rounding out the bill.

Kidlat Ngayon: Orbit 84

Balanghai ni Ikeng Cinematheque, Ili-Likha Artist’s Watering Hole, 32 Assumption Rd., Kabayanihan, Baguio City
October 3-31
4:00 p.m.
Free Admission

Ili-Likha Artist Village becomes the center of a month-long tribute to Baguio’s own cinema icon, Kidlat Tahimik, as he turns 84 with the Kidlat Ngayon: Orbit 84 film festival. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Philippine independent cinema, Tahimik’s decades-spanning body of work will be screened across four weekends at his own creative haven’s Balanghai ni Ikeng Cinematheque.

ENHYPEN Fun Meet 

SM Mall of Asia Arena, Jose W. Diokno Blvd. cor. Coral Way, Pasay City
October 3
10:00 p.m.
P2,000

South Korean boy group ENHYPEN will be returning to the Philippines for an exclusive fan meet happening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The hitmakers behind “Bite Me,” “Drunk Dazed,” and “Bloody Paradise” will be interacting with their fellow ENGENE’s throughout the event, just weeks ahead of their highly anticipated comeback. The group is set to release a new album sometime in November, following their eighth EP, The Sin: Bliss.

The Gathering Grounds

Ruby Hall, Max’s Restaurant, 21 Scout Tuazon St., Quezon City
October 4
3:00 p.m.
P500

The QC Cocktail Jamboree: Jakarta Edition culminates on Sunday, October 4, at The Gathering Grounds. Each guest is entitled to two full servings of cocktails and samplings of other cocktails and spirits from participating Quezon City bars such as 2b Cocktail Bar, After Hours, AKA, Bar.Flora, Old Times, ReCraft, Ruby’s Lounge, and Wrong Door. Alongside drinks, guests can also enjoy a live DJ set, and tattoos and piercings.