BALIK BAYAN

Balik Bayan meaning 'return home' is a month-long cultural and artistic programme taking place in July 2026 that reflects on the Philippines' journey to independence, produced by MilkTea, an award-winning community organisation.

The season features artists, creatives, and performers from across the Filipino diaspora, and explores the complex history, Filipino identity and the enduring pull of home within the context of our shared journeys.

The programme is supported by Arts Council England and the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery and delivered with the support of our partners: Centre 151, Kanlungan, Migration Museum, Voice ESEA, and Occasians.

The programme comprises of:

4 July: The first theatrical screenings of Yellow Rose by Diane Paragas, in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, in collaboration with Voice ESEA, Move Midlands and ESEA Creatives Scotland.

11 July: A celebration of British Filipino live performance, featuring Lahing Kayumanggi, Haraya Choir. English Ako by Jules Chan at Centre 151.

11-18 July: Kwentong Kahon, an exhibition about the cultural tradition of the balikbayan box at Centre 151.

18 July: A family workshop themed around Filipino storytelling by award winning author, Candy Gourlay at Centre 151.

20-26 July: The first solo exhibition of selected works by Hannah Reyes Morales, the Pulitzer Prize finalist and Nobel Peace Prize photographer.

28 July: Mixtape: Filipino Edition, a showcase of short films by British-Filipino filmmakers.

Booking opens soon!

Gather your friends and family, BALIK BAYAN is for the entire community to come together to experience a vibrant programme of British-Filipino culture & art.

📅 Save the dates of the events.

📷 Art by @chasaculingan.

Check @milkteafilms for more details

Delivered in collaboration with Centre 151, Occasians, Kanlungan, Migration Museum + Voice ESEA; and supported by Arts Council England and BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.