After 25 years, the beauty of the historic Metropolitan Theater in the city of Manila was once again seen after its soft opening in conjunction with the 450th anniversary of the city.
From the formerly seemingly abandoned building, it is now newly dressed and is expected to bring back the memories of many.
The Met-dubbed, the first National Theater, is a historical and cultural landmark built in 1931 and designed by veteran architect Juan Arellano.
It became a national historic landmark in 1973 and was declared a national cultural treasure in 2010.
The Met was not used for a long time until it was decomposed and revived by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The Met last operated as a theater in 1980 and after that became a boxing ring, bar, etc., until it finally closed in 1996.
Its ownership went to the NCCA from the Government Service Insurance System, and its renovation also began immediately. During the Met’s restoration, Arellano’s original designs with a Filipino theme were restored.
Historic Metropolitan Theater reopened after 25 years
“Ang significance po ng Met, ika nga binuhay, nawala, binuhay ‘to ng limang beses, ito po significance sa mga bata sapagkat makikita nila at malalaman ang tungkol sa ika nga ay tinatawag natin na heritage architecture building. Noon pa mang 1930s meron na tayong teatro,” said NCCA Chairman Arsenio Nick Lizaso.
The government also spent hundreds of millions on the project, according to Lizaso.
“This is owned and operated by NCCA, but it is still, we call it the Metropolitan Theater. We have not changed the name. Ang nalalaman ko nag-umpisa ito ng around mga P257 million to P300 million at umakyat ng P500 (million) at ika nga sa kasalukuyan mukhang aabot na ng P800 million ang nagagastos ng gobyerno,” said Lizaso.
The posthumous award was given to the outstanding Manila frontliners who led the fight against COVID-19.
The city’s top business and real property taxpayers and some other Manileños in various fields were also recognized.
Metropolitan Theater is expected to be opened to the public on December 10, according to Lizaso, in conjunction with the date of establishing the Met.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.