Pasa Pasa 2027 brings art beyond galleries and into Metro Manila communities

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 03, 2026

Art will move beyond traditional galleries and into neighborhoods, public spaces and community gathering places as Manila Collective prepares to stage Pasa Pasa 2027, a citywide creative festival scheduled from January 9 to February 14 next year.

The festival will transform 23 community spaces across seven cities in Metro Manila into venues for more than 50 artistic activities, including exhibitions, performances, workshops, artist residencies and collaborative projects.

Instead of asking audiences to visit a single cultural institution, organizers want to bring creative experiences directly to the places where people live, work and interact.

Manila Collective, the nonprofit organization behind the initiative, is building the festival around the idea that creativity should be shared. Communities are not expected to simply watch or appreciate finished artworks. They are also encouraged to participate in the creative process.

The program will feature different forms of expression, from fashion and visual arts to performances and music. Organizers have also invited independent artists and creative groups to take part, with hundreds responding to an open call for participation.

One of the festival’s major projects is Pasa Pasa Pasig, a public art residency organized in partnership with the Pasig City government. Seven international artists from Spain and France will work alongside local communities to develop artworks shaped by their interactions and shared experiences.

The participating artists are expected to spend time with residents, observe their surroundings and collaborate with Filipino creatives rather than impose predetermined concepts on the communities.

The festival will culminate in a citywide takeover of Escolta on February 14, featuring workshops, creative activities and a closing celebration.

For Manila Collective, Pasa Pasa 2027 is intended to be more than a month-long arts event. Organizers hope to make it an annual platform and eventually bring the initiative to other parts of the Philippines.

By turning everyday spaces into places for artistic exchange, the project aims to make art more accessible while giving independent Filipino creatives opportunities to connect with wider audiences.