Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno inspects restoration of Metropolitan Theater

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday conducted an inspection of the Metropolitan Theater, which is currently being restored.

In the photos shared by the Manila Public Information Office and Mayor Isko's Facebook pages, progress to the restoration is seen. The theater is newly painted, with its art deco details looking brand new. New chairs were still in plastic. 

Mayor Isko was with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Dr. Rene R. Escalante during the inspection.

In 2019, Escalante said the theater will be reopen before 2022, when the first term of Mayor Isko ends.

Esalante said they will put a mall and museum on the second floor of the theater, apart from a souvenir shop and cafeteria on the ground floor.

He added that the National Council Arts Administration (NCAA) will also build an office in the establishment.

The NHCP, NCAA and Manila City government have joined forces to work on the restoration and reopening of the abandoned theater.

The MET was built in the 1930's and was destroyed during World War II. The theater was rehabilitated in the 1960's and in the 1970's but has been neglected since the transition of the pre- and post-EDSA revolution in the 1980's. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News