KidZania Manila

KidZania Manila was an indoor family entertainment center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. It was a franchise of KidZania, a Mexican chain of family entertainment centers which allowed children aged 4 to 14 to work in adult jobs and earn currency. KidZania Manila was opened to the general public on August 7, 2015, making it the 11th KidZania in Asia and the 20th in the world. It was closed permanently on August 31, 2020, after 5 years.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

KidZania Manila

Location	Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, (BGC) Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Status	Closed
Opened	August 7, 2015; 7 years ago (2015-08-07)
Closed	August 31, 2020; 2 years ago (2020-08-31)
Owner	ABS-CBN Theme Parks & Resorts (73%) KidZ Edutainment Ltd. BVI (27%)
Operated by	Play Innovations, Inc.
General manager	Ma. Rosario Bartolome (KidZania Philippines Governor)
Theme	Educational entertainment
Slogan	"Get ready for a better world." "Where kids do big things."
Operating season	year-round
Attendance	360,000 (FY 2016)^[1]
Area	6,000 m² (ground area) 8,000 m² (gross floor area)

Background

KidZania Manila operates like a real city that is built to the scale of children, complete with paved roads and vehicles, buildings and establishments, a functioning economy and its own currency. Designed for children aged 4 to 14, KidZania Manila houses more than 55 establishments most of which are sponsored by real brands with over 70 role play activities. At KidZania Manila, children perform ‘jobs’ and are either paid for their work (as a stylist, fireman, radio jockey, surgeon, etc...) or pay to get a service (university, culinary school, department store, driving school, pit crew, etc...).

Upon entering KidZania Manila, one is given a boarding pass, a map of the city, and 50 KidZos (the official currency of KidZania) paycheck upon entry. Inside, one can work on over 70 different professions. Some establishments require children to pay a significant amount of KidZos. If one runs out of money, they must work in establishments that offer salaries. A security bracelet is also given to the children upon entry.

Due to the losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and the retrenchment of ABS-CBN employees due to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy, KidZania Manila was permanently closed since August 31, 2020, after 5 years and 24 days.^[6]

Awards

KidZania Manila, together with its PR agency, Strategic Works, Inc., won two Anvil Awards in 2017.^[7]

References

1. Imee Charlee C. Delavin (March 21, 2017). . BusinessWorld Online. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
2. "KidZania abre su decimosegunda Ciudad de los Niños en Manila 6,". Publimetro. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
3. "Paradigm shift in teaching: KidZania Manila empowers the young…with fun?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 26, 2014.
4. "Here we go with KidZania Go! KidZania Manila introduces the educational entertainment concept to Filipino academe". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 4, 2014.
5. Amojelar, Darwin (February 27, 2014). . Interaksyon. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
6. "After 5 years, KidZania Manila to cease operations". ABS-CBN News. July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
7. "Stratworks celebrates 18th year with 18 Anvils". wnot.com.ph. March 25, 2017.