For queen and country

MANILA, Philippines - Every Game of Thrones fan knows that, for all the blood and gore the tawdry tale has got in store, winning a chance to sit on the Iron Throne is worth the trouble. Filipino fans (of both the show and the books) will finally understand what that feels like: at the Great British Festival this weekend, a replica of the famed seat will be on display for all to give it a try.

Of course, that isn’t all that the festival has in store. As a bid to promote what makes the United Kingdom so great, the British Embassy has brought to Manila the best of what the country has to offer. Starting today until March 1, Bonifacio High Street will become a living tribute to anglophilia, chockfull of booths and activities for every Brit lover in town.

The Walking Tour of the UK Miniatures (where the Iron Throne is) also has replicas of the TARDIS in Doctor Who and even the famous 221B doorway from Sherlock. There’s also a retail avenue where well-loved British brands will be all in one place: Hamley’s for toys, Lush for those fragrant bath bombs, and Cath Kidston for the cutest bags and kitschy accessories.

With so much going on at the festival, it’ll be hard to finish it all in a day. But if you’re feeling like a real trouper, you’d best join the Passport to the UK contest. Just visit at least two participating companies or exhibits and get them to stamp the festival’s “passports” and drop them off at the designated post boxes. Winners are drawn every night, and you better be there, because winners must be physically present to win. The prizes are pretty sweet, after all: the festival is giving away round-trip tickets to the UK through Etihad and even tickets to One Direction. If that’s not reason enough to go, we don’t know what is.

— Margarita Buenaventura

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For more information on the Great British Festival, like the British Embassy Manila Facebook page and follow @ukinthephilippines on Twitter.