General
Thank you, TIU Theater!
Another iconic FlipTop venue has sadly closed down. Let us show our appreciation to TIU Theater.
Dante Romero
April 15, 2025
2018 was an unforgettable year for FlipTop. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to the iconic venue known as B-Side. The place, which opened in 2010, hosted not only some of the best battle events but also a few memorable hip-hop nights from the league. It closed its doors in September of that year, leaving behind plenty of memories that we will cherish forever. While it was truly a sad time, we needed to keep the movement alive, and the only way to do that was by moving forward. Luckily, FlipTop found a new spot for its ninth Ahon event.
TIU Theater was located on the second floor of the legendary Makati Cinema Square. After Ahon 9, it became the league’s new home. The audience loved the theater set up, and you got a great view of the battle wherever you were. It also has a much bigger stage compared to previous FlipTop venues, giving the emcees more space to move and have energetic performances. From 2018 to 2019, we’ve already seen plenty of historic matchups taking place here, such as Shehyee vs Pistolero, Batas vs Mhot, Tipsy D vs Sak Maestro, Apekz vs Sixth Threat, Shernan vs Hazky, GL vs Zend Luke, Smugglaz vs Charron, Sayadd vs Lanzeta, and Kregga vs Invictus to name a few.
As with any other event place in 2020, TIU was forced to cease operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were worried that it would permanently close down, but in March 2022, FlipTop announced its return to the venue with Second Sight 10. The affair also marked the return of live crowds, instantly making it an epic night. You could see the happiness on the faces of the staff, rappers, and supporters from the start time to the very last minute. Since then, we have witnessed more game-changing events such as Unibersikulo 11, Bwelta Balentong 10, Ahon 13, and many more.
The B-Side era of the league will always be remembered for its loud fan reactions. Thanks to these responses, every battle became even more exciting and intense. TIU Theater wasn’t going to be left out though! Ever since FlipTop moved here, it also gave way to some of the best and liveliest crowds ever. They went all out but made sure to show respect to the emcees performing on stage. Everyone was simply having a good time and appreciating our local talents.
Unfortunately, at the end of 2024, TIU Theater informed the FlipTop staff of their permanent closure. Yes, much like B-Side, we lost another beloved place. It was indeed another sad moment, but it will never take away the countless fun moments and classic matches it has given us. So we would like to take this time to say thank you to TIU Theater for providing FlipTop with a home for a few years. Your legacy lives on, and if ever you guys open again, we hope you’ll still welcome FlipTop with open arms. Have you been to TIU Theater? What were your favorite moments here? Don’t hesitate to share your stories in the comments section.
