KidZania Groundbreaking

MANILA, Philippines - (From left) Play Innovations Inc. president and CEO Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC) director and EVP Anna Ma. Margarita Dy, FBDC CFO Lou Reyes, Bonifacio Global City director Arnel Casanova, Makati Development Corp. president Dan Abando and FBDC head of commercial operations Manny Blas lower a time capsule as part of groundbreaking ceremonies to start construction of KidZania Manila. KidZania, the most inventive and fastest growing kids edutainment concept in the world, has started land development of a 6,000-sqm property at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig  which will be the site of KidZania Manila, a P1-billion interactive kid-sized city. Present in 15 locations in 12 countries and set to expand to cities in the United States, London and Singapore, KidZania is a first-of-its-kind indoor play center that allows children ages three to 14 to freely explore a world their size and choose from over 100 role-playing activities in different establishments sponsored by real brands. KidZania incorporates real-world brands into every establishment, partnering with businesses to bring to life a hyper-real metropolis that pays incredible attention to detail; from paved roads, storefronts, and kid-sized buses and cars to provide children with an authentic experience that is interactive, immersive, and memorable. Local franchisee Play Innovations will operate the facility which is expected to generate close to 400 jobs and cater to 600,000 visitors annually once it starts operations in November 2014.