Cebu’s first outdoor cinema at Mactan Newtown

CEBU, Philippines - Even before the witching hour, screams could be heard at Mactan Newtown’s outdoor cinema – the first of its kind in Cebu – as people of all ages gathered and put on their brave faces to take on Fright Night last Sunday, October 30.

Fright Night featured horror films, free of charge to celebrate Halloween while guests tried to get as cozy as they can despite the spooky screen fare. The set-up was almost picturesque, if not Instagram worthy, with the free popcorn, folding chairs, mats and pillows laid out up front where dwell the brave of heart. What was supposed to be a mundane parking lot had been bibbidi-bobbidi-booed into a full house cinema for the night.

With the recent opening of the Mactan Newtown Beach over the summer, which had locals and tourists teeming onto the beach gates, property development giant Megaworld Corporation added the outdoor cinema as the township’s latest attraction.

“We think that this activity will make the township more lively,” Harold Geronimo, assistant vice president and head of the Megaworld Corporation Public Relations and External Affairs, said of the event. He also hinted at the possibility of an outdoor beach cinema, the likes of that in Boracay Newcoast which also showed horror films last Saturday, a day before Cebu’s own free film event.

“It is also a way to attract tourists since Mactan Newtown is surrounded by hotels,” added Geronimo.

Movie buffs and fun seekers are up for more treats as the outdoor cinema is set to have upcoming shows.

“This [outdoor cinema] will become a regular activity at Newtown,” Geronimo said, explaining that the shows will be thematic—Christmas films for the Christmas season and maybe sweet flicks during Valentine’s Day. “It depends on the occasion but we’ll let you know when the next one will be.”

Until then, The Mactan Newtown offers its halls to anyone who wishes to drop by—what with the BPO companies, the delectable food trip that is Mactan Alfresco, the residences, and the array of coffee shops and hangouts all waiting for visitors to enjoy.