Love at First Screen: Movie Nights at Mercato Sta. Barbara
No tickets, no velvet ropes—just a screen, a solid movie lineup, and a crowd that kept growing.
Sta. Barbara Heights flipped its airport‐entrance plaza into an alfresco cinema on February 14 and 15 for “Movie Nights at the Heights” as part of the two-day Valentine’s special, “Love at First Site.” Families rolled out mats, couples staked out their spots early, and even a few pets joined the scene as the sun dipped and the first film rolled.
Across two nights, the movie roster delivered something for everyone: an upbeat animated musical to kick things off, a swoon-worthy romantic drama next, a video-game-meets-streamer sports story that had viewers leaning in, and finally, a family tearjerker that kept tissues in high demand. The variety held the audience captive well past dinner—and well into the evening.
Mercato Sta. Barbara’s food stalls pulled their weight, serving sweet treats, hearty rice meals, soups, ice cream, and both coffee and non-coffee drinks. Between scenes, guests grabbed hot meals or cold desserts without ever leaving earshot of the screen.
The screenings followed an open house earlier that day, offering a full experience—from exploring future homes to kicking back with a movie. No frills, no forced themes. Just a well-timed setup and a weekend that showed how far a public screen, good food, and a clear night sky can go.
