MAHARLIKA UK presents - THE 4TH WAVE // UK FILIPINO CREATIVE FESTIVAL

MAHARLIKA UK is proud to launch its first 3-day UK Filipino creative festival at 83 Rivington Street in Shoreditch, London.

The 4th Wave is dedicated to uplifting and celebrating the diverse voices and untold stories of the Filipino diaspora through art, community, and culture.

Set in the heart of East London's grassroots cultural communities, this three-day festival invites you on an exciting journey featuring:

• The launch of our first-ever art gallery exhibition, created by Filipino visual artists.
• Evening premier of new UK-Filipino short films by Filipino artists and filmmakers.
• UK-Filipino & POC Marketplace, curated by Esteni Market.
• An open-deck and live drawing social jam, curated by Half East Records x Let's Draw Now LDN.
• Creative and cultural workshops led by UK-Filipino facilitators.

This festival is a vibrant celebration of the UK's Filipino communities. From our workshops to creative showcases, We welcome everyone to our space to experience, learn, and connect with our cultural communities.

Info: To celebrate the launch of our 3-day UK Filipino creative festival, it is with great pleasure that we unveil our first-ever art gallery exhibition, created and led by UK-Filipino visual artists Lynda Lorraine, Nicolle Santiago, Ainara Basco, and VJ Taganahan. They will create new and original artworks that dive into the untold stories of the Filipino diaspora. This is a full-curation event featuring exhibition artworks, artist interviews, Q&A, and a post-show "meet the artists" and community networking session.

Info: We're kicking off our festival with a bang by opening our first-ever Marketplace, curated by Esteni Markets. This vibrant space brings Filipino and POC independent business owners together, offering an array of cultural merchandise. From art and crafts to food and delightful bakery goods by Estenibakes - exclusively at 83 Rivington Street.

Info: The Art gallery is now open to the public. If you missed our launch night, you can visit the art gallery during the day between 12:00 - 19:00. Public access tickets are available on a donation/pay what you can basis.

Info: As we flow into the weekend, join us at the Marketplace - curated by Esteni Markets. This marketplace brings both Filipino and POC independent business owners together in one cultural space, offering an array of cultural merchandise from art & craft, food, and bakery items for our communities.

Info: The Art gallery is now open to the public. If you missed our launch night, you can visit the art gallery during the day between 12:00 - 19:00. Public access tickets are available on a donation/pay what you can basis.

Info: Jess Nock presents: Kwento Kinship & Kalayaan: Learn the art of creating your own poetry through photo-journaling.

This writing workshop invites us to reconnect with our heritage by reflecting on the familiar places, faces, sensations, and objects that connect us to home.

Through a series of exercises involving sharing, photo-journaling, and poetry writing, Jess guides you in grounding yourself by celebrating your culture's joys. You'll explore sensory memories of the “everyday” such as going to the palengke, riding a tricycle, or waking up to warm taho at 5 a.m.

Info: Faye Auguelle presents:Pañyo at Pamana: AN embroidery workshop
Learn the art of embroidery while discovering the rich textile heritage of the Philippines.
Embroider your own panyo (handkerchief) by combining classic monogram techniques with delicate motifs inspired by native Philippines flowers. This workshop offers a blend of personalisation and cultural storytelling through needle and thread. The session will also introduce the history of the Calado embroidery, the intricate openwork found in traditional Barong and Piña cloth, and is recognised as one of the finest forms of Filipino craftsmanship.

Info: SO SHA presents: Balik-Tinig (Return to our voice and music)
Learn Tagalog through the joy of singing and mini song writing.
Join multidisciplinary artist SO SHA for a unique workshop that blends song, language, and community.
Learn simple Tagalog songs together, then collaboratively weave our collective voices into a new, original piece.

Info: PAUL DEE presents: Fluid Tactics - Introduction into Filipino Martial arts for beginners.

Fluid Tactics is a philosophical self-defense art developed by FMA instructor Paul Dee. Rooted in the Filipino Martial Arts - Balintawak, Fluid Tactics teaches efficient, instinctive movement for protection and well-being by harmonising mind and body.
The system blends close-range combat (both empty-handed and with weapons) with mid-range striking, developing your strength, speed, and flexibility. More than just physical technique, it uses stress to activate your innate instincts, fostering a deep self-awareness and a powerful connection between your mind, body, and spirit.

Info: A social jam session fusing DJ culture and live drawing, curated by Deejay (Half East Records) and EJ Negre (Let's Draw Now LDN).

This is your invitation to a vibrant community gathering for all creatives and those who love art, culture and community. Experience our open deck sessions, where DJs will spin a journey through R&B, Hip-Hop, House, Soul, and ESEA genres, alongside a community of visual artists sketching live models.

Come to connect, create, and collaborate in a warm and safe atmosphere dedicated to music, art, and community.

Info: To close this beautiful and cultural weekend, we present the 4th Wave Short Film Evening Premiere. This project, commissioned by Maharlika UK, celebrates Filipino identity through art and film.

The initiative invited both emerging and experienced Filipino artists and filmmakers to develop new short films that explore untold stories within the Filipino diaspora. The evening will feature a full curation of diverse short films, interviews, and a Q&A session, taking audiences on a visceral and cultural journey of Filipino empowerment.

Stay with us until the very end, as we open the space for community connection, offering the opportunity to meet the artists and Filipinos from wider communities.

The 4th Wave Artists:
Jessica Nock, Charo Galura, Helena Yasmin, Jeff D’Sangalang, Justin Riveira

Filmmakers:
Lance Penez, Samantha Brain, Danielle Ureta-Spontak

Film Producer:
Christine Sandford

Info: No better way to close our festival with a sunday market! Catch our final day Marketplace, curated by Esteni Markets. This marketplace brings both Filipino and POC independent business owners together in one cultural space, offering an array of cultural merchandise from art & craft, food, and bakery goods for the public.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

83 Rivington St, 83 Rivington Street, London, United Kingdom