First IMAX theater in RP raises gigantic screen

Moviegoers in Manila are one step closer to the IMAX experience. Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 was a big day for the Philippines as the screen for the upcoming San Miguel Coca-Cola IMAX Theater was raised at the Mall of Asia. At exactly 21,955 meters in height, the IMAX screen in this theater is by far the biggest screen in the Philippines and one of the very biggest in the world.

The screen raising is one of the final stages in the completion of the IMAX Theater. Once it opens its doors to the public, the San Miguel Coca Cola IMAX Theater will change the way people in the Philippine experience movies. The IMAX Experience is the most powerful and immersive cinematic experience in the world, with images of unsurpassed size, sharpness, and clarity complemented by up to 14,000 watts of multi-channel digital surround sound.

The Mall of Asia will be one of the largest in Asia and the world. The size and grandeur of the IMAX Theater lobby will be unrivalled in the Philippines, making it the place for film launches and special big events. With the recent agreement partnering SM, San Miguel, and Coca-Cola, the huge IMAX Theater is planned for many upcoming product launches and special events for their customers.

Reaching as high as an eight story building, the IMAX screen was pulled up by hand by approximately 20 workmen hanging over a railing at the top. The sheer size is overwhelming in the 635 seat IMAX Theater, but moviegoers can expect more than just size in this theater.

IMAX’s larger than life experience is made possible with a 15/70 film format, 10 times the size of regular 35 mm film, a specially designed screen that is slightly curved to reach beyond the audience’s peripheral vision and a powerful multi-channel digital surround sound system. The unique film format, projection technology, and theater design combine to make for the most immersive movie experience available.

The San Miguel Coca Cola IMAX Theater will show both Hollywood Blockbusters converted to the IMAX format using IMAX DMR (digital remastering) technology, as well as original 15/70 films in both 2D and IMAX 3D. Several Hollywood blockbusters transformed into IMAX’s format for 2006.