Embassy of Spain rolls out February calendar of arts, film, and history

The Embassy of Spain is rolling out a packed calendar of cultural events this February, bringing together history, visual arts, cinema, music, and scholarly dialogue across key venues in Metro Manila and Intramuros.

Through the Instituto Cervantes and its Cultural and Education Offices, the embassy is presenting a lineup that highlights both contemporary creativity and historical reflection.

One of the major highlights is Spanish artist Ampparito, who will showcase his installation Esperanza de Vida (Life Expectancy) at the fifth floor of Circuit Corporate Center One in Makati, the venue of Art Fair Philippines, from 6 to 8 February. Ahead of the fair, Ampparito will be creating works live at Casa Azul in Intramuros and at the gardens of the Ayala Museum.

The cultural program also opened with a talk featuring Spanish artist Cristina Gamón and Filipino artist Brisa Amir, who engaged students of the University of the Philippines in a discussion titled Trajectories and Practices: A conversation on artistic approaches to professional practice, curated by Arianna Mercado at the UP Fine Arts Gallery in Diliman. Their joint exhibit, A dash, a colon, a dialogue between both artists, remains open to the public at Casa Azul in Intramuros until 28 March.

Meanwhile, pedestrians passing through the Ayala-Greenbelt underground tunnel can still view life-size reproductions of works by Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923), known as the “Master of Light.” The exhibit Sorolla: A Walk through the Light highlights his signature contrasts of light and shadow, vibrant colors, and energetic brushwork.

Historical discourse also takes center stage with a lecture by Spanish scholar Laura Diaz Esteve titled The British Empire and the Philippine Revolution, 1896–1902. The talk, scheduled on February 4 at 2 p.m. at the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes Manila, examines how British imperial interests reacted to and sought to influence the Philippine Revolution.

Spanish cinema is likewise in focus with Ciclo Goya de Honor: Gonzalo Suárez, a film series honoring filmmaker Gonzalo Suárez, recipient of the 2026 Goya Honorary Award from the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Screenings will be held every Tuesday of February at 2 p.m. at Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros, featuring El portero, El detective y la muerte, Remando al viento, and Epílogo.

The Quezon City Film Commission is also partnering with the embassy for the Goya Awards: International Film Screening Series from 20 to 22 February at Cinema 18 of Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City. The lineup includes award-winning films by Pedro Almodóvar, David Baute, Paula Ortiz, Jon Garaño, and Aitor Arregi.

Language and heritage take the spotlight on 11 February at 5 p.m., as Daisy López, president of the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española, delivers a lecture on Hispanism in the Tagalog language at Instituto Cervantes Manila in Intramuros.

Music rounds out the month’s offerings, with Spanish organist Andrés Cea Galán performing at the Gala Night of the International Bamboo Organ Festival on February 19. He will also conduct a master class, deliver a lecture on the history of Spanish organs on 21 February, and give a recital on 23 February.

Beyond classical music, electronic dance music returns to Intramuros as UKNWN marks its 10th anniversary on 21 February at Puerta Real Gardens, featuring a guest DJ from Spain.

The public may also continue to visit ongoing exhibits, including Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros; A Synergy of Ventures: The Post War Art Scene, marking the centennial birth of Fernando Zóbel at the Ateneo Art Gallery; and Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila at the Ayala Museum, with the latter two running until late February.