BIG SCREEN, BIG FUN
Twenty-two-year-old Peter Padayhag was casually browsing online one day when he came across a video of a gamer playing on what was not the usual-sized television screen. The video itself was not so remarkable; perhaps it was a tutorial or a walk-through. Whatever it was, what caught Peter’s attention was how “big” the screen was.
It was tall and wide enough to make the gamer look as if he was in the game, as if he was really brawling with life-size zombies or battling in an actual dance showdown. Peter, who is an avid gamer himself, was simply amazed by it.
In a way, it was also a “Eureka!” moment for the guy. Having always wanted to go into business but not yet decided on what industry, that video was an eye-opener. He figured: why not create a similar experience? So, born out of his love for movies and gaming, the city’s new leisure destination Big Screen Entertainment was established.
As the name suggests, it is an entertainment hub where there are rooms equipped with high-definition “big screens” that are from floor to ceiling in length and 200 inches in width. There are three rooms for watching movies and three all-white rooms for playing the motion-sensing game console Xbox 360 Kinect.
When visiting the place, one has the option of bringing in his own movie or game, or choosing from Big Screen Entertainment’s collection.
It has a growing selection of over 200 movies, both in DVD and Blu-ray, and from a variety of genres.
It also has the latest and most popular titles in Kinect gaming: adventure games like The Gunstringer, dance battles like Dance Central 2 and Just Dance 3, and fitness games like Kinect Sports and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012.
Peter said that each room is good for five persons, but there is no imposed limit so it is up to the guests if they don’t mind squeezing in. The big movie rooms can actually fit up to 15 persons while the small room can fit about 10— though some would have to sit on the floor, but then that just gives it a fun “homey” vibe.
At the side, Big Screen Entertainment offers the usual theater chow like popcorn, chips and slush drinks. One can also bring in his own food at a minimal corkage fee.
Stepping in the entertainment hub is already a fun pursuit in itself. Those who are very much into pop culture would enjoy viewing the trinkets decorating the place. One can find there Peter’s personal collection of action figures, toys, mementos, movie posters, Polaroid shots and film photography gear. The place is pretty much an offshoot of Peter’s own hobbies and interests.
Who would have thought that what started out as a YouTube-inspired idea would become one of the coolest and most unique hangout spots in Cebu? One does not have to be a movie aficionado or a gaming pro to enjoy the place—a zest for a good time, paired with a bag of popcorn, will do!
Big Screen Entertainment is on the third floor of M2 Business Center along Escario St., Cebu City. It is open from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.