IL Corso hosts Cebu’s very first dancing fountain, The Stellar.
Cebuanos can finally experience a spectacular show at the IL Corso Lifemalls. The up-and-coming business center at South Road Properties is home to a weekly performance centered around not people, not animals, but water fountains.
The Stellar is Cebu’s first dancing fountain, and it’s a must-watch phenomenon. It’s built on a juxtaposition of colors and sounds that aim to wow an audience.
This one-of-a-kind light show starts at 6 in the evening at the IL Corso Central Piazza.
THE STELLAR
This one-of-a-kind light show consists of four 15-minute dancing fountain shows, starting at six in the evening at the mall’s Central Piazza, facing the clear blue waters by the SRP.
The show features several high-powered musical fountains, spraying gallons of water up into the air while being lit up in various color combinations. Not only does it look great in pictures, but it also makes for some interesting eye candy.
The colorful spectacle makes The Stellar one of the best places to go at night in Cebu.
The water goes in many different directions, creating a variety of patterns and forms. The rapid color shifting is what gives the dancing fountain its radiant appearance.
You can definitely enjoy the show as the sun sets, as the location itself is one of the coolest places to go at night in Cebu. When night time comes, the colors become brighter, punchier, and more beautiful to look at.
The fountain’s pre-recorded musical accompaniments are played through outdoor speakers. Some songs are classics that most people know of, while others are oldies but goldies you may have missed out on.
Get ready to sing along to the ballads of famous singers such as Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. You can also hum and tap your feet as you listen to a list of jazz hits.
Local jingles like “I Love Cebu” will also be playing to showcase how much the culture and tourism industry in Cebu has been improving over the years.
The Central Piazza is spacious enough to walk around, and the bleachers right across let you sit back and enjoy the show comfortably. You can play around near the fountains and channel your inner water bender like the children in these photos.
Each 15-minute show will play around 3 to 5 songs, with a short break in between. Watching these shows is one of the best free things to do in Cebu City since you won’t be paying anything to watch it.
SUGBO MERCADO
The OG food park in Cebu, Sugbo Mercado, opened several food stalls nearby for viewers to indulge in. This branch is much smaller than the other ones in the city, but it still offers the essentials of a good outdoor dining experience.
You can order a bunch of meals, drinks, and snacks to pair with the relaxing ambiance. Kuzina Guadalupe offers scrumptious barbecue dishes, and SJ Wingstreet is your go-to spot for flavorful chicken wings.
You can nibble on some fries from Potato Patata, or satisfy your street food cravings at Happy Dipping. You can even chill out with Ally Mango’s selection of delicious mango shakes.
Sugbo Mercado has mastered the art of al fresco dining, with its spacious dining area and selection of food and beverage stalls that can make any food trip worth your while. You will also enjoy acoustic jam sessions with the live band present at the food park.
HISTORY OF THE DANCING FOUNTAIN
Dancing fountains are famous around the world as events in which people gather around to watch. They are typically held near crowded places such as public parks and plazas for passersby to marvel at.
The concept of a dancing fountain was first formulated in the 1920s by German inventor, Otto Przystawik, who wanted to combine beautiful fountains with music and dance.
He soon opened Przystawik’s Dancing Fountains, focusing mostly on small-scale fountains to be used for restaurants and business centers. He soon opened his first fountain show at the Resi Ballroom in Berlin.
With its dazzling look partnered with energetic live music, it became a popular local attraction, even inspiring New York showman Harold Steinman.
Steinman visited Berlin and watched the dancing fountains for the first time. The unique show gave him the idea to start the “Dancing Waters” in his hometown. This soon expanded to other parts of America, and soon, other parts of the world.
Dancing fountains slowly became a major tourist attraction in many places abroad, with different cities having their own shows to cater to tourists. One of the most famous worldwide is the Versailles Palace Fountain Show in France.
Outside of Cebu, several parts of the Philippines, especially Vigan, have their own fountain shows. These attractions have become spectacles, making a mark in local tourism.
The Stellar may very well be on its way to being the spectacle everyone will look forward to seeing when in Cebu. Considering that it’s free of charge, it could potentially draw in more locals and tourists to IL Corso.
As the first of its kind, it’s automatically one of the must-see Cebu attractions. The combination of colorful visuals and catchy tunes can turn a lowly night into a memorable one.
Drive down to IL Corso Lifemalls and experience this unique program to celebrate your weekend!
HOW TO GET THERE
Exact Location:
Central Piazza, IL Corso Lifemalls, Cebu South Road Properties
Show Hours:
6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM
As of now, public transportation in SRP is unavailable, but you can ride a cibus at IT Park. It will take you all the way to IL Corso.
You can also catch one along a few major roads, such as North Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard. They also make a stop at SM Seaside.
