Discover a New Side to Bangkok with This Itinerary Perfect for the Summer

Bangkok is a city brimming with experiences made for the adventurous, the artsy, and the curious. It’s long been a favorite among Filipino travelers because of its dynamic mix of traditional and modern. With summer coming soon, holiday trips and getaway plans are already taking shape for many barkadas and families.

If Bangkok is on your list this year, having an easy way to pay and keep track of spending in a fast-paced city like it just makes the whole trip feel lighter. Thankfully, now you can Scan-Swipe-Tap with GCash abroad, and payments quickly become one less thing to worry about. Because you get lower forex rates and real-time spend tracking, you can focus on enjoying your time in these stops:

1. Dine above the city at Akara Sky Hanuman

Bangkok is already a food lover's paradise, but dining at Akara Sky elevates the experience even further. It’s the country’s highest sky dining experience – a rooftop space where you can enjoy Thai street food favorites and other authentic dishes while taking in 360-degree views of the city. During dinner, guests are also treated to Thai cultural performances, including Muay Thai boxing and traditional dances, inviting everyone to appreciate the country’s heritage. The restaurant also has 10 zones of immersive exhibitions to visit for photos!

2. Sign up for a private cooking class

Speaking of food, if your barkada bonds best over food, booking a Thai cooking class is a must-try activity. White Lotus offers hands-on sessions where you’ll learn how to make classics like Tom Yum and Pad Thai, with a local culinary expert walking you through ingredients and techniques. Classes run for about three hours, and if you’re a big group singing up, you can book the whole class. You can pre-book slots on their website and pay using the GCash Visa Card, so there's no stress over steep credit card forex fees.

3. Experience the world’s noisiest massage

At Bradbury, known as the noisiest massage in the world, you and your friends are in for a treat. Their four-hand massage, done by two therapists at the same time, happens in a space filled with LED visuals, music, projection mapping, and surprise performances throughout your session.

4. Explore one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods at Songwat Road

Perhaps Thailand’s most popular neighborhood online right now is Songwat Road – in fact, it’s listed among the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world. Song Wat is best explored while taking your time, ordering from matcha cafés, picking up pastries at bakeries, and browsing vintage stores, ceramic shops, record stores, and souvenir spots filled with handcrafted Thai items. There are also perfume and home scent stores, plus endless street food options.

Even if you’re not planning to shop, you’ll probably head back home to your hotel with something. And with many merchants now accepting GCash via Alipay+, paying as you go is easy and effortless. To use GCash abroad, just look for the Alipay+ logo at the counter, select “pay abroad,” generate your QR code, and let the merchant scan it – and you’re done!

5. Shop a wide selection of local Thai brands at Emsphere

Emsphere is the newest lifestyle hub in Bangkok's EM District, just a few minutes from the city center. Emsphere features six floors filled with a wide variety of shops, from local brands to high-end luxury favorites. It's the perfect place to find unique, quality goods, whether you're shopping for yourself or looking for pasalubong to take home.

The main lifestyle hub on the first floor is the best place to find trendy lifestyle and streetwear brands, including homegrown brands such as FRANK and Daddy Muscle. For all your shopping moments, you can enjoy easy, convenient payments with GCash Tap to Pay abroad so there’s no need to worry about scrambling for cash. Available for all NFC-enabled Android smartphones, it lets you pay with just one tap on the payment terminal.

Scan-Swipe-Tap Your Way to an Unforgettable Bangkok Experience

Bangkok is a no-fail destination. No matter what you do, or where you go, it will always feel better when payments are seamless and stress-free. Paying with GCash abroad means you can keep track of your spending in real time, enjoy lower forex rates updated in-app, and move through each stop without the stress of cash conversions or surprise charges when you get home. Some merchants even offer special promos and discounts – just tap “Travel” on the GCash app and check out the Travel Treats section!

Wherever your Bangkok adventure takes you this year, remember to Scan-Swipe-Tap, and download the GCash app so you're all set.

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SM Center Antipolo Downtown hosts Job Fair 2026 on March 4

Step into your next career move—bring your résumé and apply on the spot at the Job Fair this March 4 at SM Center Antipolo Downtown!

Jobseekers can take advantage of an all-out employment initiative as Job Fair 2026 takes place at SM Center Antipolo Downtown on March 4, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the 3rd Level of the mall. The one-day event brings together various employers offering diverse career opportunities for Antipolo residents and nearby communities.

Come early and prepared and land on you dream job at Job Fair in SM Center Antipolo Downtown.

Mounted in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the City Government of Antipolo, the job fair opens doors to roles such as customer service representatives, cashiers, sales clerks, engineers, administrative staff, factory workers, and registered nurses, among others—catering to both entry-level applicants and seasoned professionals.

This initiative gives jobseekers the opportunity to submit applications, meet recruiters, and possibly get hired on the spot. Interested participants are encouraged to bring updated résumés and arrive early to maximize opportunities. Take the next step in your career journey and head to the most loved mall, SM Center Antipolo Downtown, on March 4.

Ace your job interview and get hired on the spot on March 4 at SM Center Antipolo Downtown.

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Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical bring Gloria Estefan's music to Manila with "On Your Feet!"

Turn up the heat this summer with the Southeast Asian premiere of the musical

Get ready to fall in love and dance as Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical bring the musical On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan to Manila this July!

Directed by Robbie Guevara, with musical direction by Daniel Bartolome, and book by Alexander Dinelaris, On Your Feet tells the awe-inspring story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan — two artists whose unwavering belief in each other redefined the American soundscape.

A journey fueled by passion and tested by tragedy, the musical explores the determination and creativity that turned a local band into an international sensation.

This uplifting saga comes to life with a pulse-pounding playlist of the greatest pop hits of a generation including “Anything For You,” “1-2-3,” “Conga,” and “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.” It’s a celebration of heritage, family, and the music that moved the world.

On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan is a 9 Works Theatrical production, presented by Rockwell. The show will run in July 2026. Tickets and other details will be announced soon.

For more information and updates on On Your Feet!, check out the social media pages of Proscenium Theater (@ProsceniumTheater) and 9 Works Theatrical (@9WorksTheatrical).

On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, New York.

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PETA Unveils the Lead Cast of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4

The wait is over! Meet the powerhouse cast headlining one of this year’s most anticipated productions.

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) officially announces the headlining cast of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter! running from June 19 to August 16, 2026, at the PETA Theater Center.

From two iconic films to a hit series, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank has become beloved for its hyperreal, meta commentary on arts, culture, and society. The first film skewered the indie movie scene, the second tackled mainstream cinema, and the third confronted historical revisionism. This fourth installment turns its sharp gaze toward theater, but it doesn’t just peek behind the curtain; it tears it down entirely, exposing the messy, hilarious, and painfully relatable process of making theater in the Philippines today.

At the center of the mayhem is Eugene Domingo, returning as a gloriously amplified version of herself—navigating ego, ambition, and the beautiful absurdity of mounting a live show. Long celebrated for her fearless comedic brilliance, Domingo once again anchors the franchise with razor-sharp wit and impeccable timing.

Joining her is a powerhouse lineup of theater-makers, all portraying exaggerated reflections of their real-life roles in the industry. Meann Espinosa, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Andoy Ranay, and JC Santos step in as unapologetic artistas caught in the whirlwind of creative clashes and theatrical excess.

 

 
Meann Espinosa, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Andoy Ranay, and JC Santos

Behind the scenes—but very much in front of the live audience—is Melvin Lee as the ever-resourceful (and ever-stressed) producer attempting to keep the production afloat. Marlon Rivera, who directed the franchise’s first three installments, steps into the chaos as the director within the play, while Joshua Lim So takes on the role of the resident playwright caught between revisions, rewrites, and relentless creative debates—desperately trying to keep his script, and his sanity, intact.

 

Melvin Lee, Marlon Rivera and Joshua Lim So

The show is written by Chris Martinez, the creative force behind the first three Septic Tank installments. It will be directed by Maribel Legarda, who helmed PETA’s hit productions Rak of Aegis and One More Chance The Musical, with assistance from up-and-coming director Johnnie Moran.

Set and costume design is by Gino Gonzales, with music and sound design by Teresa Barrozo.

Metrobank credit cardholders will enjoy exclusive first access to tickets from February 27 at 10:00 AM to March 3 at 11:59 PM via TicketWorld. A Waitlist Sale follows from March 4 at 10:00 AM to March 5 at 11:59 PM for patrons who signed up last December 2025, with the General Public Sale beginning on March 6 at 10:00 AM.

Tickets will be available via TicketWorld or bit.ly/SepticTank4Tickets.

Ticket prices are P3,500 (VIP), P2,800 (Orchestra and Balcony Center), P2,500 (Orchestra Side), and P1,800 (Balcony Side). Audiences are encouraged to create their TicketWorld accounts in advance, as tickets are expected to sell out fast.

For more updates, follow @petatheater on social media.

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A Century in Symphony: MSO Opens Its Centennial Season with Sleeping Beauty

On March 13, 2026 at 8PM, and March 14 & 15, 2026 at 5PM, the MSO joins forces with Ballet Manila for a shared season opener at the Aliw Theater. Together, they present Sleeping Beauty, a production that celebrates two milestones: the MSO’s Centennial Season and Ballet Manila’s 40th Performance Season.

A Shared Milestone for Two Cultural Pillars
This collaboration is more than a performance—it is a historic convergence of two institutions that have shaped the Philippine performing arts landscape.

Both companies are among the few in the country with a sustained legacy of presenting full-length classical ballets with live orchestral accompaniment. In mounting Sleeping Beauty, they reaffirm a shared belief: that music and movement are universal languages, capable of expressing love, longing, triumph, and transcendence—even without words.

Under the baton of Russian conductor Alexander Vikulov, the MSO brings Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score to life in real time, elevating the ballet experience into something immersive and unforgettable.

Reimagining a Classic: Ballet Manila’s Sleeping Beauty
At the heart of the program is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66—presented in Ballet Manila’s distinctive version choreographed by the Philippines’ prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde.

This staging forms the third installment of Ballet Manila’s “Princess Trilogy,” following Cinderella and Snow White. But here, Princess Aurora’s story takes on deeper emotional nuance. The ballet opens with the “Dance of Aurora,” portraying her youthful innocence while subtly suggesting that her heart had already awakened to love long before her fateful slumber.

Tchaikovsky’s score moves with symphonic grandeur and lyrical elegance—from ceremonial marches and courtly dances to fairy variations and sweeping waltzes. Each character is painted in distinct musical color, shaped by intricate melodies and rich orchestration.

One of the evening’s most anticipated highlights is the Pas de Deux (No. 28), featuring a luminous solo violin passage performed by MSO Concertmaster Alessio Benvenuti. In this moment, the music does more than accompany the dancers—it carries the emotional pulse of the ballet, guiding audiences through tenderness, tension, romance, and celebration.

The Artists Behind the Magic

Ballet Manila
Known as the country’s most prolific ballet company, Ballet Manila trains its dancers in the Russian Vaganova method. Under Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s artistic direction, it has steadfastly pursued its mission: bringing ballet to the people—and bringing more people to the ballet.

Ballet Manila

Maestro Alexander Vikulov
A conductor of international distinction, Vikulov’s career spans opera, symphonic, and ballet repertoire. Having debuted at the Mariinsky Theatre in 2002, he has since collaborated with major institutions across Europe and Asia. His longstanding musical partnership with Ballet Manila ensures a seamless dialogue between orchestra and stage.

Maestro Alexander Vikulov

Manila Symphony Orchestra
Now at 100 years, the MSO remains one of the Philippines’ most active and enduring artistic institutions. Guided by Music Director Marlon Chen and Executive Director Jeffrey Solares, the orchestra continues to uphold international standards while nurturing the next generation of Filipino musicians through education and training programs.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

More Than a Concert—A Centennial Celebration
Sleeping Beauty is only the beginning of the MSO’s Centennial Season, themed “In Pursuit of Excellence.” The season lineup includes:

• Concert II – From Mozart to Mahler

• Concert III – 80 Years of Filipino-American Friendship

• Concert IV – Opera and Kundiman: The Legacy of Maestra Conching Rosal

• Concert V – Cellist Camille Thomas with the MSO

• Concert VI – World Premiere: Filipino Master Composers

(Programs, artists, dates, and venues are subject to change.)

For devoted concertgoers, the MSO All-Access Season Pass offers up to 50% savings, making it the perfect way to experience this landmark year in full.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Centennial Season opens with Sleeping Beauty at the Aliw Theater, located within the CCP Complex in Pasay City. Performances are scheduled on March 13, 2026 at 8PM, and March 14 and 15, 2026 at 5PM. Tickets may be purchased via bit.ly/BuyTicketsBMSleepingBeauty. For updates, audiences may follow the Manila Symphony Orchestra on Facebook, Instagram (@manila.symphony), TikTok (@manilasymphonyorchestra), YouTube, and visit www.manilasymphony.com for more information.

As the curtain rises this March, Sleeping Beauty becomes more than a fairy tale. It becomes a symbol of legacy, resilience, and artistic excellence—proof that after a century, the music of the Manila Symphony Orchestra continues to awaken hearts.

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CreaZion Studios brings A24’s sci-fi horror film ‘BACKROOMS’ to Philippine cinemas

The global phenomenon that captivated a generation, BACKROOMS is coming to the Philippines on June 3, 2026. CreaZion Studios has revealed its release date, an eerie first official poster, and a pulse-pounding teaser.

Produced by genre powerhouse A24 with Chernin Entertainment, Atomic Monster, and 21 Laps, the highly-anticipated science fiction-horror film is the directorial debut of prodigy Kane Parsons, the 20-year-old YouTuber who turned the viral legend into a cinematic nightmare. See the teaser trailer below.

Parsons’ web series about secret backrooms garnered nearly 100 million views. The Creepypasta-inspired horror has also been adapted into numerous video games, including on the platforms Steam and Roblox.

Academy Award nominees Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value, The Worst Person In The World) star in the movie, alongside Mark Duplass (The Morning Show), Finn Bennett (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), Lukita Maxwell (Shrinking), Avan Jogia (Zombieland: Double Tap), Chelah Horsdal (Hell on Wheels), and Toby Hargrave (Superman & Lois).

In the teaser, a strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom, plunging the viewer into a world where time slips and space shifts. The first poster for the film, meanwhile, features a familiar yellowish wallpaper.

#KwentoMoTo: Bringing Human Stories & Experiences

BACKROOMS is the latest highly-anticipated international film that CreaZion Studios is bringing to the Philippines, as part of its #KwentoMoTo mission to make “Human Stories and Human Experiences” accessible to Filipino and Southeast Asian audiences.

“As a major player in film distribution in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region, CreaZion Studios finds purpose and meaning in giving SEA audiences the opportunity to experience well-crafted films, in the best possible way — in cinemas,” said RJ San Agustin, President, CEO & Co-Founder of CreaZion Studios.

“Nothing compares to the experience of watching a film on the big screen, particularly works distinguished by excellence in writing, performance, cinematography, and overall execution. BACKROOMS marks the beginning of CreaZion Studios’ slate of international titles for exclusive distribution in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, and we look forward to unveiling more of our forthcoming releases under our banner, #KwentoMoTo.”

Last year, CreaZion Studios successfully brought to the domestic and SEA markets the critically-acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan Wook’s No Other Choice and A24 fantasy adventure film The Legend of Ochi; and in 2024, the award-winning body horror film The Substance.

For more updates, follow CreaZion Studios on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube and visit creazionstudios.com. Join the conversation online with hashtag #BackroomsPH.

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LOVE, MARINA: An Iconic Celebration of Filipino Fashion in Print and on the Runway

Far Eastern University (FEU), in partnership with Tesoros, presents a special book talk and fashion presentation for LOVE, MARINA on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM at Tesoros Makati.

Written by Vicky Veloso-Barrera and edited by Thelma San Juan, LOVE, MARINA is a lovingly curated coffee table book that pays homage to pioneering designer Marina Reyes Antonio.

Marina Reyes Antonio

The book honors Marina’s impeccable sense of style, meticulous attention to detail, and ingenious innovations that shaped generations of women’s fashion. Both a visual inspiration and a practical guidebook, it captures treasured memories from family, friends, and clients, weaving together personal recollections with archival images that celebrate a remarkable design legacy.

The event highlights a book talk offering deeper insights into Marina’s life, work, and enduring influence on Filipino fashion.

Complementing the conversation is a fashion presentation featuring creations from four generations of designers whose work reflects the evolution of Filipiniana and couture craftsmanship.

Marina Reyes Antonio, who began her career in the 1930s, belonged to a pioneering generation of women designers. Her love of Filipiniana was expressed through masterful construction, delicate hand-rolled floral embellishments, and fine hand painting—hallmarks of her timeless elegance.

Malu Veloso brings romance and femininity to life through lace, embroidery, and intricate beadwork. Her collections feature both pastel and vibrant hues, expressed in classic silhouettes and figure-flattering styles that embody grace and refinement.

Letlet Veloso introduces bold imagination to formal wear. Known for her adventurous use of embellishment, eye-catching colors, and edgier interpretations of Filipiniana, she creates silhouettes that reflect contemporary sophistication while honoring heritage.

Representing the fourth generation, Hannah Barrera explores the sculptural possibilities of haute couture. Drawing inspiration from the innovative classicism of great European designers, she crafts couture pieces distinguished by structure, artistry, and a unique modern signature.

This invitation-only event celebrates intergenerational artistry, heritage, and the enduring power of Filipino design.

LOVE, MARINA is available for purchase through TAMS Bookstore at TamsBookstore@feu.edu.ph and at Tesoros 1016, A. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. 

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