MANILA, Philippines — As a studio, ABS-CBN banks on its stable of talents to create meaningful entertainment content. This is generously shared with viewers. Since the network wants everyone to have a piece of the studio life, it has created the ABS-CBN Studio Experience (also known as Studio XP). The 1,400-square-meter studio city located at the Ayala Malls Trinoma will serve as Kapamilya’s playground to feel what it is like to be in the spotlight.
“As you all know, ABS-CBN has been in the content business for more than 65 years,” said Cookie Bartolome, ABS-CBN Themed Experiences, Inc. head, in a recent press conference. By the way, the event was also hosted by Robi Domingo with Kyle Echarri, Ylona Garcia, Elha Nympha and Jeremy Glinoga as guests. “If you look at our portfolio, isa na lang ang nagkukulang sa portfolio namin, for any media company, is a themed experience. So we studied it well and we thought ‘Ba’t di natin dalhin kung ano ang pinakakilala sa atin?” The answer was ABS-CBN, the studio. Studio XP is the practical means to bring it closer to every Filipino.
From left: Kyle Echarri, Ylona Garcia, Elha Nympha
Again, Studio XP is a themed experience with 15 attractions and divided into Reality, Fantasy and Retail Studios. Visitors can do blind auditions and find out for themselves who among the virtual coaches (Sharon Cuneta, Lea Salonga, Bamboo and Sarah Geronimo) will turn for them. Surely, someone is destined to become a four-chair turner. They can also try their luck as contestants in Minute To Win It: The Experience or housemates in Pinoy Big Brother. After, they can proceed to the Star Lab, where they can do duets, act opposite Kapamilya stars, exchange funny lines with Goin’ Bulilit cast or answer Fast Talk questions. Aside from that, they can also unleash the adventurer in them by enrolling in the Action Academy. Another must-try is the ARX, an augmented reality game. The Kapamilya Theater allows visitors to compete in multi-player games (based on shows like Ang Probinsyano, La Luna Sangre and Bagani) and watch live shows and 4D movies and presentations (like ASAP 4D).
The Action Academy
According to Cookie, Kapamilya guests have the free hand to choose which attractions they want. To fully experience what the studio city can offer, it’s better for one to avail of the XPass Prime tickets priced at P375 each. “We implement shifts. Each shift (runs for) two and a half hours,” she said. From Tuesdays to Fridays, Studio XP has three shifts (the first starts at 12 noon), while Saturdays and Sundays have four shifts (with first shift at 10:30 a.m.). Each shift can accommodate 220 people. Surprise, surprise! Visitors might get the chance to meet Kapamilya stars and receive live video calls from them.
The ARX attraction
“I would like to think also that the experience we have is very unique,” said Cookie. “We went around and checked out the different attractions. I’m happy to say na wala pa pong experience (na) katulad ng Studio Experience. It’s one of a kind. If this becomes successful, of course, we would love to bring the experience to more Kapamilya around the Philippines and all over the world.”
Minute To Win It: The Experience
Studio XP was conceptualized in 2015, but the work commenced in 2016 till 2017. It is a collaboration between ABS-CBN Themed Experiences, Inc. and Retail and Licensing Group.
For details, visit studioexperience.abs-cbn.com or follow the ABS-CBN Studio Experience on Facebook, Instagram (@abscbnstudioxp).