The Philippines’ first drive-in movie theater will begin screening with the much-awaited South Korean film “Train 2 Busan: Peninsula” on Friday, July 31 – allowing film enthusiasts to again watch films on the big screen.
SM City Pampanga is scheduled to open the country’s first drive-in movie experience at its Amphitheater in line with the new normal in movie viewing that discourages massive face-to-face gatherings in closed spaces.
The supermall in San Fernando was finally granted approval to open the drive-in movie outdoor theater after the company sought approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in May.
The SM City Pampanga site can accommodate the cars in its 8,000 sq.m. open theater. The screen size is 20 meters by 8 meters and is raised 3 feet above the ground to ensure guests have an optimal viewing experience.
The drive-in movie theater will follow the following guidelines:
- a minimum of 2 persons and maximum of 4 will be allowed for each vehicle
- only individuals between 21 and 59 will be admitted to enter
- only 80-90 cars will be admitted per screening
- only enclosed vehicles with windows (Sedans/Cars, SUVs, and Vans) will be allowed entry, motorbikes will not be allowed
- The car’s FM radio will be tuned to a specific frequency to broadcast the sound straight into their vehicles, guests may also bring their own radio and other devices with FM capabilities
- pets will not be allowed at the venue
- All outside food and beverages are prohibited as food concessions will be available on-site with a separate menu provided upon entering the SM Cinema Drive-in. For additional orders, simply raise your flags and a server will approach your vehicle to take your orders.
- Each vehicle will be assigned their parking spots upon arrival depending on the size of their cars. Traffic marshals will assist guests and direct them to their designated spot.
- guests are advised to arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before their scheduled screening
- late arrivals will be allowed to enter provided that they arrive within 30 minutes from the start of the screening to avoid disrupting other guests
- guests arriving after over 30 minutes after the start of the screening will no longer be admitted and will not be refunded
Tickets should be reserved online through SM Tickets in this link.
The tickets cost Php 400 per head, inclusive of popcorn, beef franks, and drinking water.
Guests will be asked to present their electronic tickets with QR code for scanning at the SM Cinema Drive-in entrance.
SM Supermalls revealed the Pampanga site is the first of its planned cinema sites that will include Pasay and Makati conversion of empty lots and parking spaces into outdoor theaters.
The SM Cinema Drive-in schedule:
- open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
- two screenings per night at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m
Scheduled for screening after Peninsula:
- Sea Monsters – July 31
- My Spy – August 1
SM City Pampanga is also the site of the country’s biggest Ferris wheel that was turned into a giant Christmas lantern in 2019.
SM Aura Premier is the Philippines’ first mall that turned its Skypark Lawn with a herb garden supporting local farmers and charity.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the Pampanga community for hosting the Philippines’ first drive-in movie theater!
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