Wishes, books, films, music and art on 11-11-11

While it's hard to say where the practice of making a wish every time you happen to see 11:11 on the clock started, recurring numbers are generally seen as auspicious. If 11:11 is a good time to wish, then maybe 11:11 on 11-11-11 is an even better time. And that's exactly what will happen on Friday at the Banchetto Megatent. Over a thousand people will release wish lanterns at exactly 11:11 in the evening. Wishes will be written on paper attached to mini hot air balloons, and as you let go of your lantern, you make a wish. Organizers have received an overwhelming response, and all the lanterns have already been reserved. Still, anyone can go to the activity to see the sky lit up with wishes. But if wishing isn't something you feel like doing on a Friday night, and you're not exactly keen on making lotto bets, here are some other activities that might interest you on what is supposed to be an auspicious date. 1. Flipreads.com Launch Be part of Filipino digital history as Flipside launches its online e-bookstore, Flipreads. Learn how Filipinos can have easier access to ebooks, as well as how writers and publishers can distribute their e-books securely. The event will provide information on how authors, trade and educational publishers, schools, and organizations can take control of their own digital publishing program. Those attending must RSVP at brenda.lagundino@flipsidecontent.com 2. Rock as Juan Concert Can't wait for the annual UP Fair to get your fix of great local music? Head to the UP Sunken Garden on Friday for Rock as Juan, a benefit concert featuring Pupil, Slapshock, Stonefree, Imago, Silent Sanctuary, Radioactive Sago Project, Peryodiko, Hijo, Gracenote, Inday Bote, Pandemonay, Htachbanko, Ronah and the Pussycats, and Idioms and Dispositions. Tickets are sold at 50 pesos, and proceeds will go to the Basic Student Services Committee of the University Student Council of UP Diliman. 3. Pablo Picasso in Manila See Picasso's work up close at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, where the master's Suite Vollard is on exhibit until January 8, 2012. The Suite Vollard is a collection of 100 etchings using different techniques that were made in Paris from September 1930 to March 1937. "The Suite Vollard fully reflects the Picasso-type dialectic that fluctuates between order and violence, classicisms and disfiguration, serenity and chaos," according to the exhibit notes. 4. Italian Film Festival Watch Dario Argento's Suspiria at Moviemov's Italian Cinema Now. If horror isn't your thing, you can watch John Torturro's Passione, Claudio Cupellini's A Quiet Life, Ferzan Ozpetel's Loose Cannons, Marco Bellocchio's Victory, or Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris. For the festival schedule, visit www.italiancinemanow.com 5. I ♥ Cinema. I ♥ Cinemanila Catch the opening of the Cinemanila International Film Festival on its thirteenth year as it returns to Taguig with over 80 films from 30 different countries. The festival opens with Wim Wenders' Pina. Screenings are at Market! Market! and Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City. For the festival schedule, see cinemanila.org.ph 6. All for 1 concert Watch Martin Nievera perform with Side A for the first time at Viva's 30th anniversary celebration with a concert titled "All For 1." Fans can look forward to an evening of memorable songs at the Araneta Coliseum. For inquiries and reservations, call 911-5555 or Viva Concerts and Events at 687-7236. 7. Built By Sonic anniversary Celebrate with Built By Sonic at their first year anniversary at Eastwood City. There will be acoustic performances by Julianne, Jejaview, Walkie Talkies, Turbo Goth, Sirens, December Avenue, Tonight We Sleep, Never the Strangers, and Practik. There will also be an open bar, two local brand releases, a sale from 12 noon to 8 pm, and surprise guests. 8. Back to the '80s Prepare your shoulder pads and hairspray for Artsy Productions & Promotions’ "80289: 80s Music to the Max" at the Music Museum. Relive the eighties with Lou Bonnevie, Chad Borja, Gino Padilla, Jamie Rivera, Ella May Saison and Juan Miguel Salvador, and surprise guest appearances by some icons from the decade. For inquiries and tickets, call 2194274 or 09053784680. 9. Go West Watch Go West perform their hit songs "King of Wishful Thinking" and "What You Won't Do For Love" as they take the stage at the Eastwood Mall Open Park at 7pm. The English pop duo is in town for two nights, with another show at the Venice Plaza Fort Bonifacio on November 12. Call 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets.com for more details. 10. Facebook wish If you don't like crowds, you could also just stay home and join other Facebook groupies in making a wish in front of your computer screen. - YA, GMA News