The Metropolitan Theater: A Treasured Edifice of Culture and The Arts
To become the “People’s Theater” once again and to be a space where the Philippine arts and culture could flourish were the driving force for the restoration of The Metropolitan Theater that opened its doors again to the public last December 10, the same date that the theater was inaugurated 90 years ago in 1931.
Simply known as the MET, the theater was designed by architect Juan Arellano, the theater served as the venue for well known artists to showcase their works and where budding artists presented their craft for the first time in the industry. Not only was this a meeting place for the arts, but the theater itself, being a one-of-a-kind Art Deco building of its grandeur and stature in Asia, was known for being a symbol for arts and culture in the Philippines.
When it was bought by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 2015, with its passion on the advancement and preservation of local art forms, the NCCA wanted the MET to be dedicated to staging Filipino works of all types.
“Works such as from plays and musicals, to zarswelas and komedyas, and even to art forms that aren’t as well known to the general public such as indigenous performance arts are welcome for production at the MET; though it should be noted that the theater is not only limited to these productions alone.”
Christian John Serrano, Operations In Charge of the MET
In 2015, the cleaning of the structure, drafting of plans and designs initially took place, the NCCA then partnered with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the local government of Manila and the Technical Working Committee (TWC) which was composed of professionals and experts who gave advice on the project. This agreement, however, ended in September of the same year.
Another partnership happened between the NCCA and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Museum who assisted with the restoration and conservation and the TWC was made into the Technical Working Group.
Construction work began in February 2017 but because of discoveries of the original Arellano-period features in the Main Theater and courtyards, adjustments and revisions had to be done to leave the project untouched. Work was resumed in 2019, and to date, the Main Theater and the exterior architectural works have been completed.
The final phase, which is the restoration of the office spaces and the Grand Ballroom which started in May, is targeted to be finished by the end of the year.
Learn more about the rebirth of one of the most iconic theaters in Manila.
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Photos by Ed Simon
