MANILA, Philippines — Women’s Month isn’t just about honoring women; it is also a cultural celebration that promotes equality for all, raises awareness on social struggles, recognizes diversity, and brings communities together through self-empowerment.
In Metro Manila, various groups and institutions have prepared their contribution to further add color and fun to this meaningful commemoration.
Here’s a list of ongoing and upcoming events to celebrate the woman that you are, as well as the ladies in your lives.
Art exhibit
A free painting exhibit titled “Women’s Palette: The Artful Awakening” celebrates the diverse identities, voices, and stories of women.
The art collection, presented by the Floral Artists of Davao Association, explores the themes of resistance, healing, and spirituality that aim to invite viewers to see women’s struggles and triumphs from various perspectives.
Hosted by the Greenhills Mall in San Juan City, the exhibit features multiple artists from the group, including its founder, Josie Tionko, and president Rita Bustamenta, together with other members Amanda Echecarria, Dadai Joaquin, Nemalyn Ledda, and more.
The art exhibit will run from March 8 to 30 at the East Wing Atrium of the mall. Visitors can also join other workshops during the event, including sculpture, painting, printmaking, tie-dye, bead weaving, and clay art.
Wellness sessions
Art workshops and yoga sessions in a serene setting?
Hoping to promote a healthy lifestyle this Women’s Month, the Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Pasig offers several activities in its tranquil Central Park.
The art events — the “Rooted in Art” painting workshop and “Thoughts in Totes” — are catered for beginners and enthusiasts and will be held on March 16 and 30, respectively.
Free yoga sessions will also be offered to the public every Saturday at 7 am, with a special sundown yoga for two at 4 pm on March 29, to help with stress relief and improve overall health.
On March 15 at 4:30 pm, certified yoga instructor Vina Oca will teach Vinyasa, a yoga that combines movement and breathing together with music and choreography.
The activities are in collaboration with Movement in Play, BreatheLearnThrive, and Yoga-and-life.
Fairs, workshops
With the theme #HerTimeIsNow, Araneta City in Cubao hosts a variety of workshops, fairs, and exhibits to celebrate Women’s Month.
From March 8 to 13, an art exhibit accompanied by a female-led forum will be held at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2; while a Creations Fair where attendees can experience arts and business workshops will take place at the activity area of Farmers Plaza.
There will also be a POP QC Women’s Month Fair where people can buy various merchandise, running from March 12 to 16 at the activity area in Gateway Mall 1.
Women’s run
Ladies who want to focus on fitness can join the #MarchForHer organized by the aRUNeta Run Club, where participants will receive handmade crocheted purple ribbon and shoe charms on March 9 in Araneta City.
Over at the SM Mall of Asia Complex on the same day, the 2025 Filipina CEO Circle Women’s Run PH offers a 1K kids dash, a 5K, a 10K, and a newly added 16K race. Participants will receive a special medal at the end of their lap and can also enjoy other goodies, such as singlets, shirts, and loot bags.
Organized by RUNRIO and Femme Strides, the event is expected to draw 8,000 runners.
Film series
Want to watch Spanish movies on women and by women for free?
Instituto Cervantes celebrates Women’s Month with a free showing of films featuring Spanish female filmmakers throughout the month of March.
The movies will be screened in their original Spanish language with English subtitles in the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes at 855 Calle Real, San Luis Complex in Manila.
After the festival opened with El olivo (The Olive Tree), directed by Icíar Bollaín, on March 7, the movies lined up include:
- 15 Years and 1 Day (2001), directed by Gracia Querejeta, on March 13 at 2 pm
- Yuli (2018), directed by Icíar Bollaín, on March 20 at 2 pm
- Cerdita (Piggy), a critically acclaimed thriller directed by Carlota Pereda, on March 27 at 2 pm
For more information, visit Instituto Cervantes’ website at www.manila.cervantes.es, or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.
CCP purple light show
In solidarity to the National Women’s Month, the Main Building and the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will be lit up in vibrant purple. This color symbolizes justice, dignity, and the devotion to advance women’s rights.
According to CCP president Kaye Tinga, the display is more than just a spectacle, rather, it is to commemorate and recognize the vital role of Filipino women in shaping the country’s rich history and culture.
“It serves as a powerful reminder of CCP’s commitment to women empowerment and gender equality not only in the field of arts, but even beyond,” Tinga said.
The light show is open to the public from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm for the whole month of March, except on Mondays. – with reports from Kevin Lampayan/Rappler.com
Kevin Lampayan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.