As November winds down, the Embassy of Spain, through its Cultural and Education Offices and Instituto Cervantes, has lined up a busy month filled with music, film, lectures, and cultural exchanges across Metro Manila. Whether you’re into the arts, education, or sports, there’s something in the lineup worth checking out.
Photo: Intramuros Administration
One of the month’s highlights is the visit of Spanish baritone Luis Llaneza, who recently held master classes for young Filipino singers at the University of Santo Tomás on November 14, 2025, and the Philippine Women’s University on November 19, 2025.
Llaneza also returned to perform at UST on November 22, 2025, giving local audiences a chance to catch his powerful, expressive vocal style live.
Film lovers also had something to look forward to earlier this month. Spain continued to support both its own filmmakers and the Philippine film community through its participation in QCinema. The ten-day international film festival kicked off on November 14, 2025. This collaboration underscores the shared appreciation for cinema and storytelling between both countries.
The European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) also took place this month, held on November 21 and 22, 2025, at the Midtown Atrium of Robinsons Manila. Representatives from 13 Spanish universities were present to share academic programs, scholarships, and study opportunities with Filipino students—an especially meaningful initiative in a country where nearly 30% of the population is composed of youth.
Spain is also taking experts directly to schools. Marine biologist Isabel Nuñez is scheduled to speak at Saint Pedro Poveda College, the University of the Philippines, and Everest Academy Manila, where she will discuss the importance of protecting reef ecosystems and the services they provide. Meanwhile, on November 28, 2025, architects Juan Ramón Jiménez and Jesús Pulido will be at the National University for a talk on Architecture and Urban Planning during the Spanish Period, touching on historic areas such as Intramuros, Parian, San Nicolás, Cavite, Cebu, and Davao.
Sports also find a place in Spain’s November cultural slate. The Spanish women’s futsal team is in Manila not just to compete in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, with matches on November 22, 25, and 28, 2025, but also to encourage young people to stay active. Team members will be meeting students and fans, offering another avenue for cultural exchange through athletics.
For those who prefer a slower cultural pace, three exhibits remain open this month. At Intramuros’ Centro de Turismo, visitors can explore Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas, a permanent exhibition tracing Spain’s engineering legacy. Over at Ateneo Art Gallery, A Synergy of Ventures: The Post-War Art Scene continues in celebration of Fernando Zóbel’s centennial until February 2026. Meanwhile, Ayala Museum hosts Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila, an exhibition exploring the rich cultural connections between Spain and the Philippines.
With November offering such a diverse set of programs—spanning music, education, film, science, architecture, sports, and the visual arts—the Embassy of Spain is putting a clear spotlight on the shared history and ongoing cultural dialogue between Spain and the Philippines.
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