Movie-watching under the stars: SM Pampanga pioneers drive-in theater
Now a good weekend getaway
SM City Pampanga has launched SM Cinema DriveIn at the mall’s Amphitheater. SM Cinema’s #Safeandfunmoviewatching experience had for its inaugural movie “Train to Busan 2: Peninsula.”
“My SM Drive-in Cinema experience was great,” said broadcast journalist Nicolette Henson-hizon. “Thank you SM City Pampanga for giving us a fun and memorable and out-of-home movie experience while ensuring everyone of safety amid the pandemic. Kudos for pioneering this in the country.”
Bajong Pangilinan of the North Boys, a group of sports car enthusiasts who include award-winning actor Allen Dizon, said that the group “was happy with the good service at the drive-in.”
Romeo Angeles said he was happy the theater “observes social distancing and at the same time, people are entertained.”
Gerald Bucud said the drive-in theater was “a great alternative to the usual way of watching movies.”
“Instead of going down, you will stay in your car,” he added.
Some movie buffs drove all the way from Manila. A young couple celebrating their wedding anniversary said, “It’s a first time in the Philippines so I would like to be part of history.”
SM Cinema Drive-in is open from Thursday to Sunday at SM City Pampanga Amphitheater. Aside from “Train to Busan 2: Peninsula,” also showing is “My Spy.”
Entry to SM Cinema Drive
In starts at 4:30 p.m. There will be one movie screening per day. Movie starts at 6:45 p.m. All tickets are purchased online in advance. Each ticket costs P400 inclusive of Snack Time bundle consisting of bottled water, regular-sized popcorn and beef franks. Food concessions are on-site. Guests are instructed to turn on their car’s FM radio to a specific frequency to bring the sound straight into their vehicles. Guests can bring their own radio and other FM devices. The venue can accommodate between 80 and 90 vehicles per screening, and individuals aged between 21 and 59 will be admitted in accordance with Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Guidelines and Safety Protocols.
Visit smtickets.com/smdrive-in-cinema. All ticket purchases must be through the website.