Columbia Pictures’ sci-fi action-thriller “World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles” colonized the Philippine box-office, claiming the No. 1 spot with a nationwide gross of P17.57-million for the five-day March 16 to 20 frame.

This was announced today by Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., the film’s local distributor.

Rolling out in 84 screens (including 10 digital 2D cinemas), the alien invasion epic is the third movie from Columbia to open at No. 1 in the country this year, following the terrific launchings of January’s “The Green Hornet” and February’s “Just Go With It.”

True to its title, “World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles” likewise captured the weekend’s global box-office crown overall, with similar No. 1 openings in the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, Korea, India. Taiwan, Hong Kong, Iceland, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates.

In the local front, Trinoma posted the highest receipts (P1.09-M) followed by Greenbelt 3 (P 828,966), SM Megamall (P 816,274), SM Mall of Asia (P 814,613), Glorietta 4 (P 607,206), Power Plant (P557,959), Gaisano Davao (P533,177), Ayala Cebu (P 505,840), SM North EDSA (P 481,952) and Alabang Town Center (P 480,006).

Also making impressive sales are Eastwood (P 458,927), SM Cebu (P 446,360), Greehills (P 414,072), Gateway Cineplex (P 403,400), Robinsons Ermita (P 383,939), Market Market (P 343,237), Shangri-la Cineplex (P 337,388), Newport Cinema (P 323,647), SM Fairview (P 311,283) and SM Bacolod (P 309,864).

In the film, there have been documented cases of UFO sightings around the world – Buenos Aires, Seoul, France, Germany, China. But in 2011, what were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. As people everywhere watch the world’s great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It’s up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before.

Still playing soon across the Philippines, “World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.