Hot Ticket: Must-See Events This March 2019

The month of March is filled with many plays and musicals, among other activities that promote local culture

5 March | Maroon 5

Maroon 5 is back in the country for the Manila leg of their Red Pill Blues World Tour. It is the band’s fifth visit, the last one being at SM Mall of Asia Arena in 2015.

A veteran in the music industry, Maroon 5 has been performing around the globe since 2003, first visiting the Philippines in 2008 for their It Won’t Be Soon Before Long tour. This time the Grammy award-winning group is here to promote their sixth studio album Red Pill Blues featuring songs such as “Girls Like Us, “What Lovers Do,” “Don’t Wanna Know,” and “Wait.”

According to reviews, the 15-song album makes use of modern electronic beats different from Maroon 5’s trademark pop rock music. The album includes collaborations with artists Sza, Kendrick Lamar, Julia Michaels, and Cardi B—offering contemporary tunes, but still staying true to the band’s eclectic sound.

Hardcore Maroon 5 fans can also expect old crowd favourites such as “This Love,” “Sunday Morning,” and “Moves Like Jagger” to be part of the concert set list on 5 March at SM Mall of Asia Arena. For more information, log on to smtickets.com

8 March to 10 March | Noli Me Tangere The Opera

The Cultural Centre of the Philippines (CCP) and J&S Productions Inc come together once again to mount Felipe De Leon and Guillermo Tolentino’s operatic version of Jose Rizal’s classic Noli Me Tangere. This is part of the CCP’s 50th anniversary celebration this year. Don’t miss the all-new production which runs from 8 March to 10 March at the CCP Main Theatre. For tickets, contact +639.4716.81714 or +632.998.2356

10 March | Rita Ora

British singer-songwriter Rita Ora is slated for her first visit to the Philippines. Promoting her upcoming album Phoenix, Ora will be touring Europe, Asia, and Australia. Catch her belt out “Your Song,” “Lonely Together,” and “Let You Love Me” along with other hits on 10 March at the New Frontier Theatre. Tickets are available at ticketnet.com.ph

1 March | Ang Huling El Bimbo

The hit musical tells the story of a group of friends who find themselves back in each other’s lives after 20 years apart. Ang Huling El Bimbo uses songs from the iconic pinoy rock band, the Eraserheads, to tell its tale. It returns to the Newport Performing Arts Centre, Pasay City. rwmanila.com

2 March | Indak Pilipinas

Folkloric dance troupes and musical ensembles from here and abroad gather together for a spectacular exhibition of cultures. The event’s second run also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Folk Dance Society. At the CCP Main Theatre, Manila City. culturalcenter.gov.ph

8 March | Katutubo Pop-up Market

A special pop-up in collaboration with the UP Women’s Lawyer’s Circle will be held for the benefit of the UP WILOCI Legal Aid Programme. Designers such as Mandy dela Rama-Santos, Ken Samudio, and Amarie will have new creations specially made for the event. At the UP BGC Campus, Taguig City. instagram.com/katutubopopupmarket

9 March | Reflexive Cinema

CCP’s Reflexive Cinema series features samples of landmark productions in the evolution of Philippine cinema. For March, audiences will revisit Mike de Leon’s Bayaning Third World, a film that is part documentary and part satire. At Tanghalang Manuel Conde in CCP, Manila City. culturalcenter.gov.ph

12 March | CCP At The Ayala Malls Cinema

CCP, in collaboration with Ayala Malls, presents Met Opera in HD: The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti. Featuring Pretty Yende and Matthew Polenzani in the lead, the opera is conducted by Domingo Hindayen. At the Greenbelt 3 Cinema, Makati City. sureseats.com

15 March | PPO Concert Series VII

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s seventh concert of their 36th season features international cellist Ray Wang and conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura at the helm. At the CCP Main Theatre, Manila City. ticketworld.com

22 March | Tales of the Manuvu

Ballet Philippines presents a ground-breaking dance musical that takes on the enmity between the gods of good and evil, as well as man’s creation and empowerment. Show runs until 24 March and will run again from 29 to 31 March At the CCP Main Theatre, Manila City. ballet.ph

22 March | Angels in America

Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group presents their rendition of Angels In America: Millennium Approaches. The play’s themes revolve around homosexuality, drug addiction, and faith. Show runs until 7 April at the Carlos P Romulo Auditorium, Makati City. ticketworld.com

22 March | Father's Day

Repertory Philippines presents Father’s Day, the story of a father receiving an unexpected visit from his estranged son and his goth girlfriend. The play, which runs until 14 April is based on the book by Eric Chappell. At the Onstage Theatre, Makati City. repertoryphilippines.ph/2019-season/

23 March | Dirty Old Musical

Written by Rody Vera, this riotous comedy centres on a boy-band from the ’80s who need to reunite for a one-time concert. The cast includes Robert Seña, Nonie Buencamino, and Jett Pangan and runs until 23 March. At the Music Museum, San Juan City. musicmusem.com.ph

Tatler Asia