Metropolitan Theater holds soft opening to mark Manila's anniversary

The Metropolitan Theater or MET inches towards its much-anticipated return as it hosts a special event today, June 23, organized by the Manila local government.

The city of Manila will stage a ceremony designed to pay tribute to Manileños with significant contributions in their respective fields and interests.

There will also be a posthumous awarding service for frontliners who passed away while in the line of duty against COVID-19.

Top business and real property taxpayers will also be acknowledged in today's festivity.

Manila officials have said that the ceremony is closed to the public and COVID-19 protocols will be strictly enforced.

The city of Manila will mark its 450th founding anniversary tomorrow, June 24.

Today's event is considered MET's soft opening as it gears up to fully reopen soon after years of restoration works and planning.

It was supposed to reopen on June 12 but the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) opted to move it to a later date so as not to compromise the health and safety of the public.

Inaugurated on December 10, 1931, the MET was designed by architect Juan Arellano.

The stunning art deco structure has been dubbed as the Grand Dame of Manila's theaters' for its lavish architecture.

Years of neglect due to various circumstances including ownership issues have unfortunately shut down the venue.

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in 2015 sold the property to the NCCA, which initiated painstaking renovation works that continues to this day.

It was announced in May that the theater will now be called the NCCA Metropolitan Theater.

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