Enduring heartthrob and multi faceted award winning performing artist Ian Veneracion returns to the live stage in an intimate, one-night-only concert at CenterPlay, City of Dreams Manila on May 20, Wednesday, at 9:30 p.m.
He is set to serenade fans with timeless ballads, along with songs from his freshly released extended play album, “Searching for Stephn,” under his new musical persona, Stephn.
This return to City of Dreams, follows Veneracion’s sold-out performance last year as part of the luxury resort’s 10th anniversary events, when he headlined a Valentine’s concert at Wave, the poolside outdoor venue of Nobu Hotel Manila.
Veneracion’s appeal as a live performer resonates across generations, with his artistic evolution defined by constant reinvention. He began as a child actor in the 1980s, and gradually expanding into a multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans music, film, and television. His journey reflects a sustained pursuit of creative expression shaped by both discipline and instinct.
Music sojourn
At the core of his artistic journey is music, an increasingly personal creative space where he explores songwriting, emotion, and self-expression beyond performance. In April 2026, he marked a new creative chapter with his latest EP under the moniker Stephn, a deliberate artistic shift derived from his first name and designed to allow listeners to engage with the music free from preconceived notions. The four-track project comprised of songs “I Walk Alone,” “Searching for Stephn,” “Tryin’,” and “Lights On”, presents an introspective, meditative, and highly personal sonic direction rooted in self-reflection and storytelling.
His musical sojourn includes contributions to the 2018 soundtrack “Paglisan (The Leaving)”, the EP series “Beyond Bullsh#!t” (2024), and singles such as “Chasing a Firefly” (2020) and “Ninuno” (2021).
Veneracion describes his current musical approach as deeply intentional and emotionally grounded, prioritizing songwriting over performance-driven vocal display. This phase of his artistry embraces a stripped-back sensibility, where music becomes a space for honesty, reflection, and connection.
Film and Television
While music anchors his current creative identity, Veneracion also holds a long-standing and distinguished career in television and film. On television, he has starred in landmark series such as “Pangako Sa’Yo” (2015), “Walang Hanggan” (2012), and “A Love to Last” (2017), and continues to appear in recent action-driven projects including “The Iron Heart” (2022–2024) and “Incognito” (2024–2025), maintaining a strong presence in contemporary primetime shows.
In film, Veneracion has built a wide-ranging body of work spanning multiple genres, highlighted by his participation in award-winning and critically acclaimed films, most notably “Ilawod” (2017) and “Nanahimik ang Gabi” (2022), the latter earning him the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor award. His filmography also includes “Feng Shui 2” (2014), “The Achy Breaky Hearts” (2016), and “Block Z” (2020), reflecting his versatility across drama, romance, thriller, and action.
Across both screen and music, Veneracion’s work reflects a balance of discipline and instinct, shaped by a lifelong immersion in the arts. As the son of renowned painter Roy Veneracion, he brings a distinct creative sensibility that informs his storytelling across disciplines.
His upcoming performance at CenterPlay continues this dual artistic journey, blending familiar favorites with reinterpretations drawn from his evolving musical catalogue in an intimate venue designed for close audience connection.
Ian Veneracion Live at CenterPlay, follows the successful concert of balladeer Ice Seguerra, timeless matinee idol Gabby Concepcion, diamond soul siren Nina, and other OPM stars featured at CenterPlay’s Concert Series, which spotlights the country’s top performers to a full house each month. Veneracion’s much-awaited concert also highlights performances from bands Jamais Vu, Main Band and Highschool Playlist, who are set to perform alternately from 6 pm to 3 am.
Music enthusiasts can reserve a seat or a table starting at P4,000 per person, with consumables comprising of bar nosh, burgers, fries, and beverages. VIP couch seats for a party of eight and four are also available. Designed for the ultimate entertainment experience, CenterPlay is a cool snack and cocktail lounge at the focal point of the resort’s main gaming area and opens at 6 pm, offering light meals, signature cocktail concoctions, beers, wines, and other beverages, and is built around the circular stage at the center of the main gaming floor.
For reservations, call (+632) 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com, or visit the resort’s website: https://qrco.de/CODxIanVeneracion. Explore more of City of Dreams Manila’s promotional offers, rewards, or instantly check Melco Club points with the new Melco Club App, available for free download on iOS and Android.
