This Week in Metro Manila (July 24 to July 30, 2017)

Classes are suspended in Quezon City for SONA.

By: Patricia Marie Prado | July 24, 2017

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This week in Manila, the President’s annual State of the Nation Address will start the week on July 24. But along with the event, several groups will also take their issues to the streets to voice out their concern to the public. Meanwhile, arts will also prevail as a new film festival and art exhibit will be happen this week.

State of the Nation Address 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte to have his second SONA this week (Image: Presidentialcom

On July 24, President Rodrigo Duterte will give his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the public at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

SONA is a yearly tradition and a constitutional obligation by the President of the Philippines written in the 1987 Constitution to report on the current state of the country, to present the government’s agenda for the coming year, and to propose any legislative measures to the Congress. SONA also signals the opening of the Congress’ first regular session.

The event, which will be attended by the House of Representatives and the Senate, will start at exactly 4:00 PM.

The public is advised to take necessary precautions as the SONA is usually welcomed by protests. Road closures and traffic buildup around the Batasang Pambansa Complex is also to be expected.

Road closures and protests on SONA 2017

Three lanes of Commonwealth Ave. to be closed for protesters on SONA (Image: MMDAPH)

To help the public commuters for this year’s SONA, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy 2,000 enforcers to help maintain the flow of traffic amidst the expected protests from various groups. Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will also deploy 6,000 police officers to ensure the public’s safety during the protests on the day of the SONA. The MMDA and NCRPO are expecting around 15,000 protesters for this year’s event.

Three lanes of Commonwealth Ave. will be closed to the public and will be set aside for the protesters and some 30 meters from the south gate of Batasang Pambansa Complex along IBP Road will also be provided for the groups to conduct their programs. Commuters are advised to avoid mentioned roads to skip heavy traffic.

Limitless at One Balete

Experience art that defies limits at Limitless. (Image: SkyVillas at One Balete)

This week, Manila will be filled with infinite art possibilities as “Limitless” holds its second run at SkyVillas at One Balete Drive in New Manila from July 23 to July 26 .

This year’s art exhibit theme is “Art at Great Heights and No Boundaries.” It features works from local artists that represent various genres and use different mediums all with one purpose in mind: to break boundaries of perception and to take creativity beyond the end.

“Limitless” is a collaboration by SkyVillas and Art Society, a group that aims to produce unique and curated art exhibits and events in the Philippines.

The Venice Film Festival in Manila 2017

Lav Diaz films will be shown at the Venice Film Festival in Manila. (Image: Vin Aranas Productions)

Another artistic event this week is The Venice Film Festival in Manila which will run from July 26 until July 31 at Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City.

This year’s event will be the first time the film fest will be shown in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. Aside from the Italian films that will be showcased in the event, three Filipino movies that have participated in the film fest in the past will also be included: Thy Womb by Brillante Mendoza, Jay by Francis Xavier Pasion, and Ang Babaeng Humayo by Lav Diaz.

Morning screening of the all the participating films will be free while afternoon and evening film screenings will have a PhP50 charge.

Gran Caffé Lavena

Sweet treats of Gran Caffé Lavena this week. (Image: Venice Grand Canal)

For a complete Italian experience, after watching The Venice Film Festival, a great place to satisfy one’s hunger is at Gran Caffé Lavena. The sophisticated and French-inspired restaurant is located also at the Venice Grand Canal Mall that sits atop the Rialto Bridge.

The restaurant is known to have been inspired by Caffe Lavena a café in Italy that rose to fame in the 17th century for being the go-to place of celebrities and well-known personalities in the city. Gran Caffe Lavena serves a complete course of Italian dishes from appetizer to dessert with special emphasis on their pastries while providing the best views of the scenic mall.

Weather News

A continuous outpour of rain is expected until end of July.

The weather all throughout the week will experience consistent cloudiness and outpour of rain. During the morning, cloudy skies with spots of thunderstorms will prevail while rain will start pouring around afternoon until evening. Protection for the cold and rainy weather like jacket and an umbrella are advised. Extra precaution for possible traffic buildups especially at night are also a must for daily commuters.

No classes in all levels in Quezon City for the SONA 2017

No classes on SONA for QC students. (Image: DepEd)

All classes in Quezon City are suspended on July 24 in line with the President’s SONA. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista suspended all levels in both and private and public schools in the city to spare the students from the heavy traffic and mass protests that will happen on July 24.

About Patricia Marie Prado

Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.

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