Things to Do This Month: January 2017

There's plenty of fun to be had this month.
by Therese Aseoche | January 06, 2017

It’s back to the daily grind this January, but it doesn’t have to be as uneventful as you’d think it would be. Despite your post-holiday despair, there are still a lot of places you can go and things you can do to hype yourself up this month. Here’s a rundown of what’s in store for the next four weeks!

Get back in shape and join these fun runs

Recover from your holiday binge-eating and join these Sunday fun runs: Color Manila Run 5 at SM Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City on January 8; KaRUNungan: Fun Run for Silid Aralan, Inc., a fundraising activity for the illiterate and low-performing public school students, at Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City on January 15; and CNY Lucky Run 2017 at SM Mall of Asia, By the Bay on January 28.

Go thrift shopping

Self-confessed hobbyist or collector? Block your January 14 and 15 weekend for the 2nd Manila Hobbies & Collectibles Fair at SM Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall.

Also on that weekend starting from January 13, Manila Sundance Bazaar will be holding its Fashion & Beauty Fair at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. Don’t miss this chance to grab affordable fashion and beauty finds while recovering from the pricey holiday expenses!

Catch these must-see shows

If you’ve long forgotten what you’ve learned in High School or College about one of Jose Rizal’s famed novels, you can refresh your memory with the Noli Me Tangere The Opera. In commemoration of the play’s 60^th anniversary written by National Artist for Music Felipe de Leon, Noli Me Tangere The Opera is opening its show on the last weekend of January and will only be running within that week. The performance will be held at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, CCP Main Theater in Pasay City. Book your tickets at ticketworld.com.ph. For more details, visit their official website.

Another must-watch for this month is Sa Wakas, A Pinoy Rock Musical which makes use of well-loved songs from Sugarfree. You’re guaranteed to rock out in your seat throughout the performance and relate well to its story of love, heartbreak, and moving on. Catch this one-time show at Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati on January 15. For ticket reservations and inquiries, contact (+63) 917-518-3753 or visit their Facebook page.

Experience at least one of these scheduled festivals

Spend a weekend at one or two of these festivals:

Enjoy the colorful and vibrant weeklong Ati-Atihan Festival at Kalibo, Aklan. Beginning January 9 and ending on January 15, you get to witness energetic tribal dances, amazingly crafted costumes, and loud music that will make you chant “Hala bira!” alongside the locals. Make sure you don’t miss the car show and street party on the 14th, the most-awaited day of the festival. For a complete list of activities, check their official website.

If you’re lucky, you can still book a trip to Cebu in time for the popular Sinulog Festival. This cultural and religious celebration that is at its peak during the culminating Grand Parade on January 15 is widely attended by tourists nationwide for its wild, vibrant, and festive mood. For a complete list of activities, check their official website.

If you want to go against the grain, you can head to Iloilo for the Dinagyang Festival on January 20 to 22. The highlight of the festival is the warrior dancers dancing and chanting with their tribe, and the colorful costumes and music that give life to the streets. For a complete list of activities, check their official website.

Know any events that aren’t on our radar yet? Share them with us in the comments section below!