Celebrate the most festive of seasons the best way you can imagine with a parade of lights, floats…read moreand every single extravaganza UP students could practically think of. Particularly famous for the crazy floats and costumes that go along with it, UP's famed annual lantern parade is something you definitely should put into your list during the holiday season. What to expect? Well, tons of creativity to begin with. UP Diliman is home to some of the most creative minds our nation can probably develop, that said you can truly expect some crazy and cooky ideas for floats and themes here. From transforming lanterns to those presenting a more socially conscious ideology, expect it all here but with a dash of color at the UP Lantern parade!

One of the most celebrated and well known festivals in the Metro is San Juan's Fiesta. Being a…read morepredominantly Catholc country, festivals celebrating saints is commonplace. San Juan for instance, commemorates the birth of St. John the Baptist, who is known in the bible as the one to baptize Jesus Christ. The fiesta is celebrated on June 24th of every year. If you were to describe the San Juan Fiesta in one word, it would be 'wet'. Or would 'drenched' by a better term? Either way, since you're commemorating John the Baptist, the tradition is to baptize other people as well. This entails dousing passersby and commuters with generous amounts of water. Games involving the use of water are also common during the festival, which include but are not limited to water balloons, water guns, and even plain pails. If you do business in the area and have no plans of getting wet, avoid going here at all costs on June 24.

It's exciting to know how many film festivals are in Manila. I don't really hear much film…read morefestivals happening in other countries so it's cool to know how the Philippines has it's arms open to not just Hollywood films but international films as well. There's so much to learn about different countries and their films can be one of those learning tools. These films are not just for entertainment but for education purposes as well. It also creates a great camaraderie with the foreign embassies that reside here. We already have the French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and local film festivals here and we also have the Brazil Film Festival which takes place in the Cine Adarna of the UPFI Film Center in UP Diliman, Quezon City. It already happened January this year so you'll have to wait for next year. Don't fret though, you can enjoy the other film festivals for 2015. Cinemalaya is this August! :)

For me it was an honor to have my film exhibited in the 6th Brazilian Film Festival in Manila. The…read moreannual festival is promoted by the Embassy of Brazil with the support of the University of the Philippines. It takes place at the lovely Cine Adarna, a spacious 800-seater cinema set inside the UP Film Institute. This year, the festival took 3 days in January and exhibited 3 feature films and one short movie (mine, hay!). I even took part of a Q&A with the UP students and it was very interesting! Actually the festival has a very participative audience and it was very nice to see how the filipinos are interested in Brazilian films. Attending to the festival is also a chance to learn more about Brazilian culture. And it's also a chance to realize Brazil and the Philippines has many things in common. I highly recommend this festival not only because I'm Brazilian, but because of the quality of the films - the Embassy usually shows awarded ones. Furthermore, film festivals in Manila are a chance to escape from the "kinoplex" empire, I mean, all those theaters located inside the malls that exhibit only blockbusters. If you want alternative films, then check the festivals calendar!

I have mentioned my love for films. Silent films is one of my favorite genres. There's just…read moresomething beautiful, expressive and artistic in the way the actors actions speak louder than their words. Charlie Chaplin is of course THE man. He basically got silent films to touch a wider audience and make it as popular as it deserves. It's an art form that shouldn't die that's why I got so pleasantly surprised and psyched when I learned that there's a Silent Film Festival in Manila. Especially since Manileños prefer comedy, rom-com and action films the most. If you haven't seen a silent film, do try and see one. I find that watching them gives the audience a deeper emotional response than a normal film and they're quite inspiring too. The International Silent Film Festival runs every end of August. They show different genres (horror, romance, comedy and drama) and it's free admission. It's better to reserve tickets so contact these embassies/institutions (German Goethe-Institut, the Japan Foundation, the Embassy of Italy, the Phil-Italian Association, the Embassy of the United States, the Instituto Cervantes, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines) on August and check the Facebook page for more information.

Just like their East Asian bros, Koreans also showcase what their films have to offer to us…read moreFilipinos. The Korean Film Festival may be the youngest out of all the international film festivals that happens year-round, but the festival draws audience to participate starting from the last week of September to October at SM Cinemas. It's not just in Megamall that they show their films. They branch out to SM Cinemas in other cities like Baguio, Clark, Cebu and Davao. And I don't know why I didn't even mention this yet but you can watch all movies for FREE! Yes, it's really freeeeeeeeee! It's a culture trip that comes with no fuss at all. The only thing you'd have to spend on are probably food and drinks (plus parking and transportation fees to SM Cinemas). During last year's festival, they showed 7 films most of which are R-13. We know how Korean films are, and just like the Japanese, they do know how to bust us out in tears! The iconic My Sassy Girl comes into mind along with 100 Days With Mr Arrogant and Windstruck. I bawled my eyes out when I had a marathon of those in one day! The range of the films come in animation, drama, romance and thrillers. This year's line up of films have yet to be announced but I know, you, Korean film fanatics, are anticipating this festival already!

Filipinos have a very open and adventurous palate for international cuisines and I've come to…read morerealize that our taste for films is adventurous as well. South Korea has earned a special place in our hearts. It's not just because a lot of Korean tourists go here and study English here but also because they introduced us to awesome, funny and kilig-to-the-bones Koreanovelas and the ever prevalent K-pop music. Lyrics we don't even understand but memorize by heart anyway. XD By the way, "Annyeonghaseyo!" to BoA and Rain who paved the way for Korean music in the Philippines before there was Big Bang, Super Junior and 2EN1. And not to forget the popularity of Korean fashion and hairstyles! Oh and those video dance moves thoughhh. Watching Korean music videos are like watching quality films with great cinematography, costumes and production. With that kind of music videos, imagine how their films are like. Now you'll know (or know more) by attending the Korean Film Festival (free admission) that happens during September/October every year. Don't forget! :)

The influx of foreign nationals in our country may not be new, neither is the trend of having…read moreforeign models doing work for local brands. So it's not surprising that there is a good number of Brazilian nationals that have called the Philippines home. In efforts to foster camaraderie and create a community of Brazilians and Filipino-Brazilians. This is the thrust of Brasilipinas - to bring the feel of Brazil and the Carnaval to Manila. I got the chance to witness Brasilipinas when I was invited by a friend whose family is involved with one of the performers. It was such a festive event, with full bands, drumbeaters and even a Brazilian DJ playing, plus professionals and event goers dancing the samba or participating in the capoeira exhibition. Several vendors were also around the venue, selling Brazilian and Latin American fare, plus drinks commonly enjoyed in Brazil and Manila. I particularly enjoyed drinking Bayani Brew spiked with cachaça, which helped make that night even more fun.

I love samba. It is my jam. When I need to get something done that requires my full concentration,…read moreI would drown out the rest of the world with the steady and rhythmic beats of Brazilian musical instruments and the poetic lilt of Brazilian Portuguese singing. I am part of a samba school that plays batucada music, or the drum circle that can usually be found parading around during Carnaval in Brazil, and I am glad that there are venues for us sambistas to showcase the music that we enjoy to the rest of the city. Manila is teeming with Brazilian expats - most of them businessmen and drop dead gorgeous models who live and work in Manila. They have established quite a large community in the city, and one of the main events during the year to celebrate Filipino-Brazilian friendship is Brasilipinas, which brings Carnaval to Manila. Brasilipinas gives Manilenyos a taste of the fun, hypnotic beats and movements of authentic Brazilian samba. For those who have always dreamt of seeing Carnaval in the flesh, this is as close as one can get to actually traveling to Brazil. Many different groups showcase their talents in playing the music and exhibiting the lightning fast dance steps that give samba such a fun and exciting vibe. It is always a fun experience, especially for the uninitiated - you get a sense of the Brazilian spirit and love for gathering together with lots of drinks and dancing.

Fête de la Musique in Manila is one of my favourite events here. It's that time of the year where…read morealmost everyone can come together and enjoy their love for music. I think it was in 2012 where it was the most memorable for me. This was when they really closed down a part of Makati Avenue from the corner of Kalayaan until A. Venue. You can choose your stage depending on what music you'd like to hear or where your friends are playing for the night. It's an effort made by the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise de Manille (in Nicanor Garcia Street) together with the local government of Makati and the Department of Tourism. My favourite stages would have to be the House and Electronica stage at Time Makati. The main stage which is situated at the parking lot of A. Venue. The Latin stage is in Chihuahua Mexican Grill! Fête de la Musique is the perfect event to recognise and discover local musicians. They even fly-in international artists. One of my favourite discoveries was Chinese Man. They're a a Hip Hop Electro group hailing all the way from Marseille in France. I remember how they got the crowd so pumped for the night with everyone raising their hands, lighters and cups of Red Horse! The festival also draws tourists to come and participate. So if you like your AFAMs, music, and beer, this is your festival du jour! The festival is free for all, so don't miss out on their 21st year this June!

I always look forward to Fête de la Musique in Manila. This annual event, which features musical…read moreacts from different genres is celebrated around the world, and Manila's very own version is in keeping with this worldwide tradition of welcoming the summer solstice (or the longest day of the year) with lots of good music, a fun community spirit and that celebration of creative expression through the arts. The French Embassy through the Alliance Francaise de Manille, together with local counterpart organizations such as the Makati City Council and Department of Tourism are in charge of organizing the event year-in, year-out. The format of the festival is pretty much consistent with the rest of the world's celebrations - there would usually be a main stage where top-billed acts and bands play, and there are also pocket stages where performances from different genres are consolidated. For instance, I always make it a point to visit the Indie, Jazz, Reggae and Latin Stages. In the past Fête iterations, I have had the pleasure of seeing such big bands such as Asin, Radioactive Sago Project, Up Dharma Down and Kjwan perform for free. Fete events are usually well-attended by locals and tourists alike, and I always go because I love the energy and the overflowing enthusiasm for good music from among the crowds.