MANILA, Philippines — Looking for something exciting to do this weekend? From a seafood cooking battle at Farmers Market to a much-anticipated Philippines-versus-Thailand celebrity showdown and curator-led museum tours, Metro Manila is packed with events on August 22 and 23, 2026.
Here are some of the weekend activities worth checking out.
Seafood chefs face off at Farmers Market
Foodies have a reason to head to Dampa at Farmers Market on August 22, where the Farmers Market Culinary Showdown: Seafood Edition will put chefs and culinary students through seafood-focused cooking challenges.
The competition is part of Araneta City’s first Seafood Festival, with the showdown serving as its centerpiece. Organizers describe it as a market-to-kitchen-to-table competition designed not only to test culinary skills but also to highlight responsible and sustainable seafood sourcing.
The three competing teams bring together professional chefs and students:
- Team A: Michelin Guide 2026 Bib Gourmand awardee chef Miguel Cabel “Miggy” Moreno with students from Our Lady of Fatima University
- Team B: Novotel Manila and ibis Styles Manila executive chefs Rhenner Alair and Athena Tuble with students from World City Colleges
- Team C: celebrity chef Sharwin Tee with students from Jose Rizal University
Celebrity chef Nathaniel Uy will host the competition, while chefs Kalel Chan, Jocen Villongco and Roberto Pengson will serve as judges. Selected Dampa at Farmers Market tenants will also participate as guides during the second round.
The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. on August 22 at Dampa, Farmers Market.
And the culinary battle is only one part of Araneta City’s seafood-themed weekend, with other food and entertainment activities also featured throughout the festival.
Star Magic goes head-to-head with GMMTV Thailand
For entertainment and sports fans, Sunday brings a different kind of showdown.
The SEAbling Showdown: Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 will take place on August 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with Star Magic stars facing actors from Thailand’s GMMTV.
The event marks an international expansion of the All-Star Games, bringing Philippine and Thai entertainment personalities together for basketball and volleyball competition.
The main basketball matchup pits Team Star Magic Shooting Stars against Team GMMTV Thailand, while the program also includes women’s volleyball and a junior basketball game.
Team Star Magic is led by personalities including Gerald Anderson and Ronnie Alonte, while GMMTV’s lineup includes Thai stars AJ, JJ, Neo, Joss, Gawin, Ryu, Aston, Marc, Ping and Teshow.
Fans who cannot make it to the arena can still watch the action online. ABS-CBN has announced a worldwide livestream through ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube membership and iWant Tickets, scheduled for 1 p.m. on August 23, with access priced at P79.
Step inside Ayala Museum’s newest exhibitions
For those looking for a quieter but equally engaging weekend, Ayala Museum is offering back-to-back Curator’s Tours on August 22 and 23.
On August 22 at 2:30 p.m., curator Tenten Mina will lead visitors through “Sinulid at Hibla: Threaded Traditions of Philippine Textiles,” an exhibition exploring traditions surrounding Philippine textiles.
On August 23 at 2:30 p.m., curator Jei Ente will lead the tour of “Turning Tides,” which examines Philippine maritime encounters and exchanges of power.
The tours are tied to the country’s observance of National History Month, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the exhibitions with the people behind their curatorial development.
Ayala Museum’s official event listings confirm both August 22 and August 23 tours. Visitors are advised to secure museum admission, while walk-ins may also visit subject to the museum’s arrangements.
Digital Walker celebrates 20 years
Tech and gadget enthusiasts can also drop by Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, where Digital Walker is marking its 20th anniversary with “Walk Into the Future: Digital Walker’s 20th Anniversary.”
The four-day celebration runs from August 20 to 23 and features interactive activities, technology showcases, games, giveaways, special offers and raffle prizes worth up to P70,000.
Among the promotions are special prices on selected products, a UnionBank-exclusive discount offer, selected ₱2,000-off deals and the “Spin for 20” promotion at the Glorietta store.
The weekend takeaway
Whether you’re chasing new flavors, celebrity action, history or tech deals, this weekend offers plenty of options across Metro Manila.
The biggest draw may be the combination of events happening almost simultaneously: chefs battling over seafood at Farmers Market, Filipino stars facing GMMTV Thailand at the MOA Arena, and curators opening a deeper look into Philippine culture and history at Ayala Museum.
For anyone still deciding what to do this weekend, the real question may not be whether there’s anything happening — it’s which event you can actually fit into your schedule.
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