Superman soars in Manila: Cast and crew launch world tour at The Victor
For Filipino Superman fans, it was a day truly worth the wait. They received a super-powered treat as the stars and creative minds behind the highly anticipated new Superman movie arrived at The Victor at Bridgetowne Open Grounds for the exclusive Superman Look Up Fan Meet on Thursday, June 19.
Lead actors David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), as well as director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran, made their grand entrance, kicking off their world tour in the Philippines.
The event aimed to create the Philippines' largest human formation of Superman's iconic "S" symbol, drawing fans eager to meet their new cinematic heroes and the team guiding the beloved franchise.
"I actually loved it. I saw the first movie, Christopher Reeve. (David Corenswet) reminds me of him, from the mannerisms to his voice. Christopher Reeve changes his voice when he is doing Clark Kent and Superman; David Corenswet also did the same," Robi Martinez, a fan since he was three years old, told PhilSTAR L!fe.
"Favorite moment ko yung inikutan niya (David Corenswet) yung fans. Naki-kamay sa mga fans, [He's] very down-to-earth," a 40-year-old fan named Jadj said.
Before this, Pasig parkgoers were treated to a sight as drones lit up the sky with Superman’s iconic “S” and Krypto in perfect sync at the same venue. The drone show and projection on The Victor statue were part of the promo for the upcoming movie.
Embodying the Filipino winning spirit
In an interview with L!fe, Mybelle Aragon-GoBio, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Robinsons Land Corporation, said that The Victor, their monumental public art piece at Bridgetowne (a township spanning Pasig and Quezon City), was the inspiration behind hosting the Superman team in the Philippines.
"At the heart of our development is the 60-meter-tall The Victor, which is an iconic public art installation that embodies the Filipino winning spirit. So I think that's the inspiration, really, for having them here," Aragon-GoBio stated.
She added, "I think it is a fitting and wonderful tribute to the Filipinos that we have The Victor as the venue. So that you know, we're welcoming and hosting a global icon of heroism as we also celebrate our own Filipino Superman and Superwoman."
The Victor—weighing 330 tons (660,000 lbs)—stands at roughly 60 meters, equivalent to a 20-story building. This makes it significantly taller than the Statue of Liberty (47 meters excluding its pedestal) and the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt (20 meters).
The sculpture depicts a man with his arms extended and his fist raised, which exudes confidence and strength. The statue, which is constructed of bronze and steel, serves as a symbol of inspiration and hope for everyone who sees it.
Aragon-GoBio wants to bring these aspects to future collaborations with international events and artists.
"Our aspiration for The Victor to stand as a symbol of the Filipino winning spirit, for the Philippines, for the country, and [if] the values of global icons align with the values of the Philippines, then we'd be happy to host and collaborate with them."
Bring to the Philippines the best in the world
Aragon-GoBio stated that conducting "historic" moments, such as the Superman fan meet, highlighted their mission in creating spaces that "uplift lives."
"Robinsons is all about creating spaces that uplift lives—always with the Filipino in mind and always with the intent to delight. We thought it [would be] nice to have it here."
Because RLC believes that "Filipino consumer is always looking for unique experiences," she also told L!fe that they are gearing up to add more spaces that will delight events such as international fan meetings and concerts, intended for all people in different walks of life where they can "live, work, and aspire."
These upcoming venues will complement RLC's existing portfolio, which includes The Victor at Bridgetowne, Opus Mall, Sierra Valley Gardens in Cainta, and RLC's largest geographical development to date, Montclair Destination Estate in Porac, Pampanga.
More activities showcasing Pinoy love for Superman
The cheers and excitement were palpable, confirming that Superman's legacy continues to resonate strongly with audiences in the Philippines.
Fans also had another chance to see the iconic movie's cast and filmmakers at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall before their global tour. Additionally, the SM MOA Globe lit up in anticipation of the fan meet.
After Manila, their only stop in Southeast Asia, the cast and crew will then head to other cities in the world, including Rio de Janeiro (June 23), London (July 2), Paris (July 4), Los Angeles (July 7), New York (July 9), and Beijing (July 10).
Superman is DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen.
The description of its trailer reads, "In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor, and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind."
Superman will hit theaters worldwide on July 11.
