‘Felix Manalo’ showing in 400 cinemas nationwide

MANILA, Philippines - Due to insistent public demand, “Felix Manalo” is now being shown in over 400 cinemas nationwide.

Starting today, moviegoers can watch this record-breaking film as early as 8 a.m. at all SM and Robinsons cinemas.

A late-night screening at 11:30 p.m. also opens at SM cinemas to accommodate the growing number of audiences.

VIVA Films’ latest offering, the monumental biopic Felix Manalo, scored two Guinness world records on its world premiere Sunday night at the Philippine Arena for largest audience for a premiere screening and largest audience for a film screening.

The official headcount was placed at 43,624. The announcement was made on the same night by Guinness World Records UK adjudicators Marco Frigatti and Victoria Tweedey and the plaques of certification were received by Viva executives Vic del Rosario and Vincent del Rosario.

It beat the previous records held by The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, which had a crowd of 10,000 when it premiered at the 02 Arena in London in June 2008 and Honor Flight, which had 28,442 attendees in August 2012.

On hand to witness the rites were the evening’s hosts Richard Gutierrez and Isabelle Daza, Felix Manalo director Joel Lamangan, lead stars Dennis Trillo and Bela Padilla and INC representatives, led by spokesperson Edwil Zabala.

Jam-packed to the rafters, the film, which chronicles the life and times of the Iglesia ni Cristo founder and first executive minister Ka Felix Manalo, was viewed via a 40 by 22-meter, five-story screen and Dolby Atmos sound technology.

Frigatti and Tweedey made another startling announcement when they said that the Arena screen is a candidate for the world’s largest indoor screen for a film premiere/screening.

Dennis and Bela were joined in the audience by some of their co-stars, which included Gabby Concepcion, Jaclyn Jose, Gladys Reyes, Bobby Andrews, Andrea del Rosario and Ruru Madrid, among others.

Performers included Nadine Lustre and Basil Valdez. Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo recorded the movie theme for the music video, Sugo ng Diyos sa mga Huling Araw, arranged by seasoned musical director-composer Louie Ocampo.

Felix Manalo opened in over 300 theaters nationwide yesterday.