CEBU CITY, Philippines — Disney On Ice will make its Cebu debut this holiday season at the newly launched SM Seaside Cebu Arena, marking the first time the long-running family entertainment production will stage a show outside Manila in the Philippines.
Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance, an all-new production by Feld Entertainment, will begin its Philippine journey in Cebu before continuing to Manila, SM Mall of Asia Arena and SM Seaside Cebu Arena Vice President and General Manager Arnel Gonzales said.
The Cebu performances will also be among the first major international entertainment events at SM Seaside Cebu Arena, which was officially launched on July 9 as a new venue for live entertainment and sporting events in the Visayas and Mindanao.
“Today, we begin bringing that vision to life because every great arena is defined not by its structure, but by the unforgettable memories created inside it,” Gonzales said during a press conference in Cebu.
He said SM’s investment in the arena reflects its commitment to building a world-class venue capable of hosting major live entertainment and sporting events in the region.
Gonzales said bringing Disney On Ice to Cebu also underscores the city’s growing role as a destination for tourism, sports and entertainment.
“At the heart of the Visayas and the gateway to Mindanao, Cebu continues to be one of the country’s most dynamic growth centers,” he said. “Its energy, creativity and vibrant culture make it a perfect home for world-class entertainment experiences.”
Gonzales said having Cebu as the first stop of the Philippine tour reflects SM’s commitment to bringing international entertainment closer to audiences in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Feld Entertainment eyes Cebu market
Feld Entertainment, the American family-owned live entertainment company that produces Disney On Ice, said it had been discussing bringing the production to Cebu with SM for a long time.
Matthew Garrick, Feld Entertainment vice president for event marketing and sales for Asia Pacific, described the Cebu debut as a milestone for the company.
“We know there are so many different fans and families here who have been waiting for this opportunity, so we’re incredibly excited that the time has finally come,” Garrick said.
“This is a milestone we’ve been working toward together for a long time, and we’re thrilled to finally bring Disney On Ice to families in Cebu,” he added.
Feld Entertainment has been bringing Disney On Ice to the Philippines for more than 20 years, but previous shows have largely centered on Metro Manila.
Garrick said the opening of SM Seaside Cebu Arena provides an opportunity to expand the production’s reach to another major Philippine market.
Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance features Mickey Mouse and friends taking audiences through Disney stories including Frozen 2, Moana, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Wish.
The production also features DJ Stitch and is designed to encourage audience participation, with families able to sing and dance along during the show.
A DJ Freeze pre-show party will help warm up the audience before the main production.
Holiday sing-along to debut in Philippines
Feld Entertainment will also introduce a new element specifically for the Philippine holiday season.
For the first time, audiences in the Philippines will be treated to a special holiday sing-along featuring Goofy and Donald before the show begins.
Garrick said Feld wanted to combine Disney On Ice with Filipinos’ enthusiasm for the Christmas season.
“We’ve been bringing Disney On Ice to the Philippines for more than 20 years, and we’ve all seen how much people here love the Christmas season,” he said.
“We’ve wanted to find a way to bring those two traditions together, and this year we finally get to do it.”
Garrick said Cebu was an appropriate venue to introduce the new feature given that it will also mark Disney On Ice’s first visit to the city.
“I can’t think of a better place to introduce this new part of the show than right here in Cebu during our first-ever visit,” he said.
After its Cebu run, Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance will return to the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, continuing the Philippine leg of the tour.
For SM, the event is part of a broader effort to establish SM Seaside Cebu Arena as a major entertainment destination serving Cebu as well as audiences from across the Visayas and Mindanao.
“We believe that great venues do more than host events. They bring communities together. They create opportunity, and most importantly, they become places where families and friends create lasting memories,” Gonzales said.
Business News Asia
