Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. is expanding its live entertainment footprint as it seeks to position the Philippines as the “Broadway of Asia” and draw more visitors through theater, music and Filipino-led productions.
The company plans to add four theater venues at its Westside Resort in Parañaque, expanding its capacity beyond the 1,710-seat Newport Performing Arts Theater.
The first new venue, the Apollo, is targeted to open in 2027 with slightly more than 1,200 seats, although plans are still being finalized, Michelle Suarez, senior vice president for marketing at Travellers International, said.
Westside Resort itself is scheduled to have its initial milestone opening in the fourth quarter of 2026, with subsequent phases to follow.
Travellers President and CEO Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez said Newport World Resorts and Full House Theater Company would continue investing in original Filipino musicals, major concerts and international productions featuring Filipino talent.
“For more than a decade, we have staged original Filipino musicals, major concerts and international productions brought to life by Filipino talent and creatives,” Rodriguez said during the signing of a tourism partnership with the Department of Tourism.
The company also plans to unveil a broader entertainment calendar, including more Broadway intellectual properties and locally produced shows.
Among upcoming productions is “Bongga Ka, ‘Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical,” which opens in September at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. The holiday lineup will also feature Filipino artists and works associated with Jose Mari Chan and composer Willy Cruz.
Rodriguez said entertainment could generate economic value beyond ticket sales by supporting creative jobs, hospitality demand and tourism spending.
Travellers will also develop industry talent through the Academy for Leisure and Tourism and the Original Filipino Performing Arts Foundation, supporting a broader pipeline of Filipino performers and creatives as the company expands its entertainment business.
