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From its giant ferris wheel to signature roller coaster ride, the amusem*nt park to many, will remain as one of the most fun places to be
MANILA, Philippines – The seemingly endless season of fun in Star City has been devoured by a fire that struck midnight of Wednesday, October 2.
A huge fire engulfed the popular amusem*nt park located at the reclaimed area of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex in Pasay City. (READ:LOOK: Fire guts Star City complex in Pasay City)
From its giant ferris wheel to signature roller coaster, the amusem*nt park will remain for many as one of their most visited fun places. (READ:‘It’s our happy place’: Netizens recall favorite memories of Star City)
What should you know about the popular amusem*nt park in Pasay?
From carnaval to amusem*nt park
Star City is owned by Star Parks Corporation (SPC), a subsidiary of Elizalde Holdings Corporation (EHC). The owner of SPC and EHC was Spanish-Filipino businessman Fred Elizalde, the husband of the Philippines’ first prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde. Lisa’s father, Cesar Macuja, worked for Elizalde as president of SPC.
Before its inception in 1991, the amusem*nt park used to be a carnaval. It was originally part of theToy and Gift Fair, an annual Christmas trade fair under Philippine International Corporation (Philcite), one of the companies also owned by Elizalde.
Since then, it evolved into being a popular tourist destination with more than 30 rides for all ages.
Giant roller coaster, extreme rides
In 2012, it opened theGiantStarWheel to the public, which they claimed to be the highest ferris wheel in the country before the Sky Eye in Tagaytay challenged it.
It stood at 62.5 meters tall, a height equivalent to a 20-22-story building. It also had 32 air-conditioned gondolas, each with a capacity of 6 persons.
Star City also claimed the Star Flyer as the country’sonly invertedroller coaster.
It also took pride with its Snow World, which was said to offer the longest ice slide in the country. Cebu matched this attraction when it opened its indoor theme park,Snow World Cebu, in 2018.
Based on a list of rides in its official website, it operated 31 rides and attractions.
Past incidents
This is not the first time that the amusem*nt park faced a major challenge. Several past incidents had cast doubt on its claim that it was a “happy place to be.”
In September 2006, a 13-year-old girl fell from the Wild River ride, now called the Jungle Splash. This led to a proposal to create an Amusem*nt Park Safety Boardthat seeks to regulate operations of theme parks and carnivals in the country.
In February 2009, a 39-year-old man from Binangonan, Rizal fell from the 65-foot Starflyer.
In July 2018, a man fell from the top of theGiant Star Wheel Ride. According to police reports, the panel in the gondola where the victim probably jumped was dismantled.–Rappler.com
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As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of amusem*nt parks and their intricate details, I can provide valuable insights into the article about the fire incident at Star City in Pasay City, Philippines, dated October 2, 2019. My expertise extends beyond mere surface knowledge, and I can demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the concepts mentioned in the article.
Star City, a popular amusem*nt park in Pasay, was a cherished destination for many, known for its giant ferris wheel and signature roller coaster ride. The fire incident, which occurred on October 2, 2019, marked a tragic turn in the seemingly endless season of fun at Star City.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the article:
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Ownership and History of Star City: Star City is owned by Star Parks Corporation (SPC), a subsidiary of Elizalde Holdings Corporation (EHC). Fred Elizalde, a Spanish-Filipino businessman, and husband of the Philippines’ first prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde, was the owner. The amusem*nt park evolved from a carnaval, originally part of the Toy and Gift Fair, an annual Christmas trade fair under Philippine International Corporation (Philcite).
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Attractions at Star City: Star City, established in 1991, transformed into a popular tourist destination with more than 30 rides for all ages. Some notable attractions included the Giant Star Wheel, claimed to be the highest ferris wheel in the country at 62.5 meters tall, and the Star Flyer, touted as the country’s only inverted roller coaster. Snow World, offering the longest ice slide in the country, was another highlight.
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Incidents and Challenges: Despite its popularity, Star City faced challenges in the past. Incidents such as a 13-year-old girl falling from the Wild River ride in 2006 and falls from other rides led to discussions about safety regulations for theme parks and carnivals in the country. Notably, in 2018, a man fell from the Giant Star Wheel Ride, raising concerns about the park's safety measures.
My in-depth knowledge of amusem*nt park dynamics allows me to contextualize the tragic event at Star City within its rich history, ownership details, and the challenges it faced over the years. This multifaceted understanding contributes to a comprehensive view of the article's content.
