It’s actually insane to think about how fast the year is passing by this 2021, considering how bleak and dragging 2020 have panned out. Have the days always been this abstract, or has self-isolation and home confinement just completely messed with our concept of time? We’re exactly at the midpoint of what we used to call “the new year” seemingly a few weeks ago, and we only have under six months to go before another year passes and a new one dawns. But before we get a little too ahead of ourselves, let’s try our best to calm down, unwind, and appreciate the good things in life with books, art, storytelling, history, and more.
Thankfully, the month of July is full of events and openings that could help us do just that in the comfort of our homes, or in safe places where we could enjoy the outdoors while remaining socially-distant. Because, lest we forget, we’re still in the middle of a pandemic and an invisible virus is still on the prowl.
So, if you’re feeling as overwhelmed as we are about the passing of time, the meaning of life, and how the heck we’re supposed to survive another year of home quarantine, here’s a little list of things we could all take part in this July for some much-needed life appreciation:
Explore the Historical Streets and Sites of Manila
In case you missed it, many heritage sites and museums have reopened in the City of Manila, welcoming tourists and returning patrons to its most popular spots. For starters, select Intramuros sites are now accepting visitors such as Fort Santiago, Casa Manila Museum, and Baluarte de San Diego, all cultural landscapes boasting some of the most iconic history backgrounds from our textbooks. Guests between 18-65 years old are permitted entry, along with fully vaccinated senior citizens (Vaccine Card required). For schedule and payment information, check this out: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialIntramurosAdministration/photos/
The National Museum of the Philippines also reopened its doors on June 19, in time for Dr. Jose Rizal’s 160th birth anniversary. This is also in line with the celebrations for Manila Day, which the museum administrators prepared for with a #ManilaDayTrail guests can follow at their own pace, and on their reserved time slots. Persons aged 15 and above, as well as fully vaccinated senior citizens (Vaccine Card required) are welcome to book a visiting slot online at https://reservation.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/ where they can make individual and group reservations.
Get New Books at Up To 99% Off at the Big Bad Wolf Books Sale
Bookworm or not, we’re sure you’ve heard about the Big Bad Wolf sale that happens every year in Manila. For safety reasons, this year’s fair follows the previous edition’s virtual program on the Big Bad Wolf Books online platform. BBW promises over 60,000 titles from a variety of genres and categories, including Children’s Literature, Young Adult Fiction, Cook books, Travel Guides, History Textbooks, and so many more. The discounts this year go up to 99% off, which practically means you’re never going to find a better deal for good quality books than right then and there.
The book fair will go live from June 30 to July 7, 2021 (24/7, without breaks online), at https://signup-ph.bbwbooks.com/
Art in the (Virtual) Park
From July 25 to August 1, art lovers can enjoy Art in the Park’s huge assortment of pieces by some of the country’s most promising visual artists. Celebrating its 15th year, it promises affordable prices for collectors and art lovers with over 60 participating galleries, 4 special exhibits, and 10,000 artworks all under P70,000. Even if you don’t intend to cash out and spend with your big bucks, it’s still going to be a fun and fruitful time to appreciate the works of our Filipino artists online. Call it “window shopping”, if you will. Learn more about this year’s fair at https://artinthepark.ph/.
Stream the Best of Filipino Theater
A fair number of local theater productions will be available for streaming this month until August, giving us plenty of choices and chances to consume art and stories at the same time. But perhaps the most exciting one to go up online is the recorded version of the last run for Rak of Aegis, which will stream on June 31 and August 1, and August 7-8, 2021. The story follows the community of Barangay Venezia as they face tragedy and victory together as one, sung with the hit songs of local pop rock band, Aegis.
The tickets for one of the Philippines’ biggest original musicals are available on www.bit.ly/rakofaegisstreaming where viewers can buy tickets for live, on-demand, and premium options.
These are just a few avenues for you to get more in touch with life and culture this July, which would hopefully help us all feel more grounded, inspired, and excited about life and time’s passing. Although most of us are internally freaking out about us being only six months away from 2022, it’s no reason for us to watch time go by without actually living.
There’s plenty of ways we can “enjoy” life (all things considered) amid this pandemic, and books, art, music, and stories don’t even scratch the surface of what’s waiting for us out there in the world (may it be physical or virtual).