THE METROPOLITAN THEATER
The Manila Metropolitan Theater is a Philippine Art Deco building found at the Mehan Gardenlocated on Padre Burgos Avenue corner Arroceros Street, near the Manila Central Post Office. It was designed by architect Juan M. Arellano and inaugurated on December 10, 1931.
It was in 1924, during the American Colonial period that an idea of constructing a theater in Manila came about. It was approved by the Philippine Legislature to build Senator Alegre’s theater proposal within the Mehan Garden (now Sining Kayumanggi). The construction began in 1930 in an 8,239.58 square meters of the park and was inaugurated on December 10, 1931. This new theater housed different performances from zarzuelas, dramas to translations of foreign classics.
Juan Arellano, one of the first pensionados in architecture, also known for his other major projects such as the Legislative Building and Manila Central Post Office Building, designed the Manila Metropolitan Theater in January 1930. He was sent to the United States to be guided by one of the experts in designing theaters, Thomas W. Lamb of Shreve and Lamb.
Performances like zarzuelas, bodabil (vaudeville) and operas once called the Metropolitan Theatre their home at the time when going to these shows was second nature to those who can afford it. Philippine National Artists like the Queen of Kundiman, Honorata ‘Atang’ dela Rama used to perform here.
The theater’s roof and walls were partially destroyed during World War II. During the post-war period, it was misused as a boxing arena, low-quality motels, gay bars, basketball court and home of the squatters. Restoration was done by Otilio, the nephew of Juan Arellano in 1978. This plan was initiated by Imelda Marcos in December 17, 1978 during her rule as the governor of Metro Manila. The Metropolitan Theater was revived and eventually became the location for celebrity performances and awarding ceremonies.
But this positive attention seemed short-lived. In 1996, the theatre closed after a dispute took place about the Met’s ownership and maintenance. The dispute was between the local government of Manila and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
It is very disheartening to see the theatre, once Manila’s crown jewel of theatres, in a state of despair and ruins. The building itself is a great reminder of Manila’s prosperous times, days when our country was finding its own identity in the midst of cultural progress and influence from the west.
A non-governmental organization, the Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club (FSCC) used to occasionally hold a free tour about the landmarks of Manila including the Metropolitan Theatre. However, the Met is currently not included in their guided tours (unless you have a permit from the city government). This is because finally, the Metropolitan Theater of Manila is said to undergo its much-needed restoration.
The Manila Metropolitan Theater is a Philippine Art Deco building found at the Mehan Gardenlocated on Padre Burgos Avenue corner Arroceros Street, near the Manila Central Post Office. It was designed by architect Juan M. Arellano and inaugurated on December 10, 1931.
It was in 1924, during the American Colonial period that an idea of constructing a theater in Manila came about. It was approved by the Philippine Legislature to build Senator Alegre’s theater proposal within the Mehan Garden (now Sining Kayumanggi). The construction began in 1930 in an 8,239.58 square meters of the park and was inaugurated on December 10, 1931. This new theater housed different performances from zarzuelas, dramas to translations of foreign classics.
Juan Arellano, one of the first pensionados in architecture, also known for his other major projects such as the Legislative Building and Manila Central Post Office Building, designed the Manila Metropolitan Theater in January 1930. He was sent to the United States to be guided by one of the experts in designing theaters, Thomas W. Lamb of Shreve and Lamb.
Performances like zarzuelas, bodabil (vaudeville) and operas once called the Metropolitan Theatre their home at the time when going to these shows was second nature to those who can afford it. Philippine National Artists like the Queen of Kundiman, Honorata ‘Atang’ dela Rama used to perform here.
The theater’s roof and walls were partially destroyed during World War II. During the post-war period, it was misused as a boxing arena, low-quality motels, gay bars, basketball court and home of the squatters. Restoration was done by Otilio, the nephew of Juan Arellano in 1978. This plan was initiated by Imelda Marcos in December 17, 1978 during her rule as the governor of Metro Manila. The Metropolitan Theater was revived and eventually became the location for celebrity performances and awarding ceremonies.
But this positive attention seemed short-lived. In 1996, the theatre closed after a dispute took place about the Met’s ownership and maintenance. The dispute was between the local government of Manila and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
It is very disheartening to see the theatre, once Manila’s crown jewel of theatres, in a state of despair and ruins. The building itself is a great reminder of Manila’s prosperous times, days when our country was finding its own identity in the midst of cultural progress and influence from the west.
A non-governmental organization, the Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club (FSCC) used to occasionally hold a free tour about the landmarks of Manila including the Metropolitan Theatre. However, the Met is currently not included in their guided tours (unless you have a permit from the city government). This is because finally, the Metropolitan Theater of Manila is said to undergo its much-needed restoration.
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