ONLY MEMORIES REMAIN

Pinoys share memorable experiences of Star City as their favorite theme park turned to ashes

It was an ordinary night, following an ordinary day full of ordinary events.

Until it wasn’t.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Oct. 2. pictures and videos of a burning Star City hit social media. Huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing in the sky as blistering fires destroyed properties. A few hours later, Filipinos woke up to the news that a huge part of their beloved amusement park was covered in ashes.

Located at Pasay, Star City is a 35,000-square-meter theme park at the reclaimed part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). According to the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) assessment, almost 90 percent of its compound, including the Aliw Theater and the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), has been completely destroyed. A PLACE FOR FUN AND HAPPY MEMORIES

For Filipinos, both young and young at heart, Star City was a place for fun, a place of great memories. For kids, this was where their dreams turned to reality, from dancing on the ice at Snow World to becoming a pirate at the Mini Pirate Ship.

On Star Frisbee, adults tested their fear of heights and speed, while some released their adrenaline at the Jungle Splash. This was also where families bonded during holidays or weekends. After all, Star City was a place both kids and adults could have fun.

But having the opportunity to experience all of these were snatched in just a couple of hours after the assessment from MBC’s spokesperson, lawyer Rudolph Jularbal, who said that because of the serious damage, Star City would have to remain close until October 2020.

With this sad news, Filipinos couldn’t help themselves but share on social media their unforgettable memories at Star City: Here are some them.

(FEPAG/ALEXANDER PAULEN/ BFP PASAY) THE AFTERMATH Filipinos will celebrate the holiday season without their favorite amusement park as fires ravaged Star City, Wedneday morning

I was so afraid. I was inside the horror house, where a beheaded guy was running after me. Then I realized, he was after me because I left a shoe behind and he was giving it to me. I ended up going out barefoot. —Vicente Suzan

I am a teacher and it was a school field trip. We just had a limited time to stay in Star City but my students wanted to stay. So, they all hid, and I tolerated it. We stayed there until closing. —Ariel

I am afraid of heights. Then people forced me to try Vikings. We sat on the last row. I felt embarrassed for shouting so loud as if nobody could hear me. I even cursed. After the ride I went straight to the comfort room. I promised myself I’d never do it again but I lied. —Ericjones

We planned for a month to go to Star City but it never happened because my friends and I had no money. And now we really won’t able to go at all, at least we’ll have memories of the plans. —Jaecel.

While riding Star Frisbee, I asked for forgiveness for my sins and confessed that I truly loved my parents. —Paolo

I saw my boyfriend (now my ex) with another woman kissing. When I confronted them, they said they were cousins. —Jam

When I was with my late grandmother together with our whole family enjoying the food, rides, and Star City’s SnowWorld. —Jonard

I was inside Gabi ng Lagim when my bag was slashed open and somebody stole my camera. —Cie

I had my first date on the ferris wheel. —Lucky