Take a peek inside the renovated Manila Metropolitan Theater
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The decades-old theater is undergoing restoration works to revive the iconic art deco structure.
After years of neglect and inactivity, the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) will once again open its doors.
The initial announcement claimed that the iconic theater will host a special program to mark the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan on April 27, 2021.
The anniversary is billed as the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.
But there are also reports that the MET will be opening tentatively on June 24 in time for the 450th Manila Day anniversary.
What is sure though is that the theater will be reopening this year as assured by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
To prove it, Isko posted pictures taken during his latest visit to the MET to show the progress of the restoration work.
GRAND DAME OF MANILA
The MET before World War II / Photo by: John Tewell
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.
The theater has hosted many performances during its glory days including the first Mickey Mouse cartoon and the maiden movie produced by local studio LVN Pictures.
That movie was Giliw Ko, with none other than President Manuel Quezon attending the screening.
Pre-war MET / Photo by: Lougopal.com/manila
The MET was among the structures badly destroyed during World War II. After the war, the heavily damaged building was used in a variety of ways - from a basketball court to a motel to a place housing informal settlers.
The MET after World War II / Photo by: John Tewell
Efforts to restore the iconic but ill-fated theater was initiated by then First Lady and Metro Manila Governor Imelda Marcos. The nephew of the building's original architect Juan Arellano was tapped to spearhead the building's revival.
The MET reopened albeit in a limited period only as it was once again shut down in 1996 due to ownership issues.
MET pre-renovation / wewantfilm (IG)
Talks of reviving the theater resurfaced in 2010, this time with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim discussing the possibility.
The plan, however, fell through and the MET remained neglected as restoration plans continued to fizzle out in between.
MET pre-renovation/ Photo by: apafeliciano (IG)
In 2011, local rock band Wolfgang performed in the decrepit venue for a concert. The concert was intended to draw attention to “this near-forgotten architectural masterpiece” and to mark the 440th year of the City of Manila.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in 2015 sold the property to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which initiated a restoration plan to salvage the theater.
MET pre-renovation / Photo by: Wikipedia
A December 14, 2016 event was staged in the venue to commemorate the building's 85th anniversary as well as to highlight the restoration initiatives and MET's role in Philippine culture.
That was the last time the building was used for a public event.
