IT measures 3.7 hectares to be exact, and it’s actually a fountain lake.
Integrated resort development Okada Manila has officially launched “The Fountain”, which is grounded on a promise more massive than the attraction’s sheer size that is tantamount to 50 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Okada Manila Vice President for Entertainment Maxwell Zetlin said during the press conference following the star-studded launch last week that the attraction should become an iconic destination of the Philippines, one which will draw guests not only around the country but from the world over. “[It’s going to be] something very similar to what the Bellagio Fountain did to Las Vegas: It created a destination attraction.”
In terms of size, The Fountain is already bigger than the 3.4-hectare Bellagio Fountain. In terms of architecture, both are designed by renowned Los Angeles-based water-feature design firm WET Designs. According to the company’s web site, WET’s team of artists, physicists, architects and choreographers imagines “each project as if it were [the company’s] first, shaping it to its specific environment and community”.
For Okada Manila’s attraction,
WET infused a local touch to The Fountain’s twofold design inspirations: the festive traditions of the Philippines, and the country’s national flower, the sampaguita. The $30-million amenity is tagged as the world’s largest multicolor dancing fountain, as it is capable of moving in rhythm with music and
lights. It is equipped with 739 water nozzles, including WET’s proprietary underwater robots, 2,611 colored lights and 23 speakers.
All these features were in full display during The Fountain’s launch, which was hosted by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and headlined by international singer Robin Thicke.
WET’s team of fountain choreographers delighted the crowd with water blossoms budding, unfurling and forming eight petals of a massive sampaguita; and jets of water racing and spurts twisting and twirling with the feathery grace of a dancer. These movements were set in the tune of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” and Luciano Pavarotti’s “Nessun Dorma”, among other classics and modern songs on the lanch repertoire.
The Fountain Show is now available to guests of all ages for free, as Okada Manila’s Zetlin underscored that the featured amenity is the gift of Okada Manila Chairman Kazuo Okada to the Philippines. “He didn’t want people to have to pay to come in and view The Fountain. People can come every day, and watch the show from 6 pm onward.”
On the same day of The Fountain’s launch, Okada Manila also opened 116 deluxe accommodations. The rooms include Deluxe King and Twin options that range from 55 square meter to 74 sq m. Both spaces are equipped with the in-room technologies of DigiValet service and an iPad control system, and offers views of either Manila Bay or The Fountain. Earlier that week also marked the first time that Okada Manila turned on the LED lights on both sides of the property’s main tower.
Okada Manila Executive Director for Property Marketing Bryan Bass said that as they continue to introduce more of the integrated resort, the more they learn about it and its vast potential. Apart from the lessons from the string of launches last week, he alluded to the preview concert last December held at the 44-hectare property’s bayside, and teased that that portion can serve as venue to big concerts.
“As we continue to learn about the space,” Bass said, “you’ll continue to see different types of experiences being offered, as our chair wants us to be really aggressive in offering something that’s not only regionally unique, but globally unique.” To which Zetlin added, “Over the next few months, people will see new exciting things happening on the property, things you’re nevergoing to expect.”