Rough Groove

Manila Metropolitan Theater

It was great news that I read in the papers last week regarding the eventual rehabilitation of the grand dame of Manila theaters, the Manila Metropolitan Theater in that city. This was realized when three agencies, after much bickering, the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Manila City government put aside their differences and signed a memorandum of agreement to restore the cultural heritage landmark to its former glory. But credit President Arroyo for the initiative and letting the 3 come together.

A beautiful edifice by the architect Juan Arellano which was opened in 1931, it is a prime example in the art deco style prevalent during that era. Its ornamentations are just fabulous and opulent, a seeming decadence to the freewheeling times. While it had played host to vaudevilles and zarzuelas, performances by world renowned artists like Jascha Heifetz, the violin virtouso were also held here. During World War II, while Intramuros in Manila (think of the totally obliterated Santo Domingo and Fransciscan churches) and the rest of Manila was destroyed, the Met, as it is popularly called, only suffered a blown roof with the walls still intact.

Despite this, it fell into neglect and became a warehouse of sorts, a gay bar, garage, boxing arena and motel. It was only in 1978 that it was restored to its present form and operas under the American stage director, Lincoln Clark, a regular guest, offered Italian and French works for 5 seasons. For a few years, it was home to many artists and was a venue of Vilma Santo’s popular variety show in the 80′s.

When I had my college education in Mandaluyong, the Met was where I first saw an actual orchestra playing. That time, the Manila Symphony Orchestra was performing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto with Gilopez Kabayao. A few years later, it again fell into neglect. Until now.

With the current plans, I am very much happy to see it not in the too distant future, the grand old dame back to its former glory.

The facade and detail of the central top portion of the art deco building.

The lateral and back side of the building.

Some details of the theater.

Anthropomorphic and human scultpures that decorate the theater.