Philippines Celebrates First-Ever National Cinema Day With ₱100 Movie Tickets Nationwide

The Philippines marked its first-ever National Cinema Day on September 12, 2026, bringing moviegoers across the country back to theaters with ₱100 tickets and a celebration built around the shared experience of watching films on the big screen. More than simply offering discounted tickets, National Cinema Day was positioned as a celebration of local cinema culture and a way to encourage audiences to return to theaters, reconnect with family and friends, and rediscover the experience of seeing films together.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines, or CEAP, with support from other industry organizations and partners including the Film Academy of the Philippines, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority through the Metro Manila Film Festival. For just ₱100, audiences were able to watch films on the big screen, including current releases as well as selected previous and re-run titles. The event gave moviegoers an affordable opportunity to return to cinemas while also highlighting the theatrical experience itself, from waiting for a movie to begin to sharing reactions with a crowd.

The strong turnout served as a reminder that watching movies in theaters continues to hold a place in Filipino entertainment and culture, even as the industry continues to adapt to changing viewing habits and the growth of streaming services. CEAP President Irene Jose described the response to National Cinema Day as proof that audiences still value the communal experience of going to the movies. She also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration across the film industry, including exhibitors, producers, distributors, government agencies, artists, media organizations, and content creators.

Several artists and industry figures also showed their support for the celebration, helping encourage Filipino audiences to take part in the country’s first National Cinema Day. More than a celebration of individual films, the event was designed to recognize the people who make cinema possible, the audiences who continue to support it, and the shared experiences that can only happen inside a theater.

With the strong public response to its inaugural edition, National Cinema Day could open the door for more initiatives aimed at bringing audiences back to cinemas and celebrating the country’s love for movies. As the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines put it: “Together, we celebrated cinema. Together, we strengthened the future of moviegoing in the Philippines.”