CEBU, Philippines - Counting down the days to the weekend can be pretty bleak for most of us: By the time the highs come crashing down, it’s back to the same old dreary recount to Friday.
Which is exactly why SM Seaside City Cebu has decided to give Cebuanos something to look forward to every day for the rest of the week.
Debuting last July 17, the newest attraction dubbed Sessions At The Sky Park is a week-long regular treat from all sides of the entertainment spectrum.
“It began with a simple weekly show called the ‘Acoustic Sessions’ every Wednesday where we invite singers to perform,” SM Seaside City Cebu marketing manager Bo Almendras said during the media launch at Spice Fusion restaurant.
“Soon enough people began asking for more, so we at the Seaside family decided to make it bigger!” he adds.
The seven-day spectacle caters to different themes each day. Starting the week with “Monday Blues,” local jazz performers serenade the elevated Sky Park located at the third floor of the mall every 6 p.m.
“Standard Tuesdays” feature all-time Cebuano favorites and karaoke hits for Cebuanos to sing along to, while “Acoustic Wednesdays” (the show that started it all) prevails in all its glory with singers performing their renditions and covers of chart-topping hits.
Thursday nights were made for “Vispop Thursdays” where artists from the song-writing competition regale the crowd with authentic, homegrown Binisaya music.
Fridays bring a whole new flavor of talks, moderated conversations, books, spoken word, theatre, music and poetry events for park-goers with “LitFest Fridays.”
Weekends were made for the family as they lounge around the bean bags while watching movies outdoors via “Saturdate Movies.” Think retro drive-ins minus the cars.
Sunsets are made more special via “Sunday Funday” with stilt-walkers, and balloon twisters entertaining everyone.
Last month’s main Sunday act was a magic show that delight kids and adults alike.
During the launch, SM Seaside also gave the crowd a glimpse of Sessions at the Sky Park with performances that modeled the shows they’ve prepared throughout the week. Nico Romualdez serenaded the crowd with his smoothly done version of “Waiting In Vain” for “Monday Blues,” followed by De’Dox Duo’s “Usahay” rendition for “Standard Tuesdays.”
Juanita Romualdez belted out an impassioned version of “Ex’s and Oh’s” as a taste for “Acoustic Wednesdays,” while Kenneth Corvera performed his Vispop 2.0 finalist piece “Dili Pa Panahon” for “Vispop Thursdays.”
Spoken word artist Francis Terrado headed straight for the feels with a poetry performance as a sneak peak for “LitFest Fridays,” followed by the trailer of the film “Earth To Echo” as that week’s “Saturdate Movies” pick. A magic show wrapped up the night in a delightful bundle reflecting the fun awaiting park goers for “Sunday Funday.”
With all the treats prepared for Cebuanos at the Seaside, Sessions At The Skypark hopes to be the start of a long-running and well remembered tradition that the people of the Queen City will look forward to every single day. (FREEMAN)