ABS-CBN opens cinemas in Cavite

TWO CINEMAS managed by ABS-CBN Corp. opened at the CityMall Anabu-Imus branch in Cavite, as part of the media and entertainment giant’s partnership with CityMall Commercial Centers, Inc. (CMCCI).

In a statement on Tuesday, ABS-CBN said under the agreement signed last year, it will manage the booking and the food and beverage operations, while CityMall will provide the cinema infrastructure.

The two cinemas at CityMall Anabu-Imus have seating capacities of 98 and 73 respectively.

The opening of the mini-movie theaters was attended by CMCCI Director and Co-Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, CMCCI Chief Executive Officer and Co- Chairman Edgar “Injap” J. Sia II, CMCCI Chief Operating Officer Ferdinand J. Sia, and Star Creatives Chief Operating Officer Malou Santos.

In December, CMCCI, a unit of DoubleDragon Properties Corp., inked a deal for ABSCBN to manage the cinemas at its community malls throughout the country.

The partnership marked the foray of ABSCBN into cinema management. As booking agent, ABS-CBN will determine what movies to screen and include a regular screening of film productions by subsidiary Star Cinema.

Aside from Anabu-Imus branch, ABSCBN-managed cinemas will also open in CityMalls located in Tagum City-Davao, Victorias City-Negros, Cotabato City, Bulua-Cagayan de Oro City, Koronodal City, Consolacion-Cebu, Mandalagan, Bacolod City, Sta. Rosa-Nueva Ecija and Dumaguete City.

By 2020, the 100 CityMalls will be home to 200 screens, making it the second largest cinema operator in the country. —