A Glimpse of Metropolitan Theater
You may be passing by her everyday. She, who was a victim and managed to survive the war. She, who was a witness to the bombings, powerful calamities, and countless demonstrations. She, who stood still amid the ever changing cityscape of Manila. She, who was neglected and forgotten. The classic and beautiful Manila Metropolitan Theater.
- Metropolitan Theater, old yet still beautiful
A landmark on her own right, the Manila Metropolitan Theater or simply the MET was designed by the great Filipino architect Juan Arellano, the same man who designed the Manila Central Post Office Building and Jones Bridge.
- Overlooking the city
Erected in 1931 and tagged as the “grand dame” of Manila’s theaters, the MET sits along Padre Burgos Street, in the heart of the old Plaza Arroceros which spans from the current Manila City Hall to the Post Office Building. Plaza Arroceros shrunk to what is known today as Plaza Lawton.
- The facade and the famous stained glass
The MET is one of the few remaining Art Deco structures in the country. She is adorned outside with bronze sculptured deities by the late Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti. Her colorful facade was designed by Juan’s brother Arcadio Arellano showcasing grills, walls and columns decorated with Philippine plants, capiz and colorful tiles in an ethnic Malayan design. The translucent stained glass is made by Kraut Art Glass, a company with German origin specializing in creating finest world class stained glass.
- Bronze sculpture by Francesco Riccardo Monti
- The lobby
Inside are woodcarvings of native ornamentation as seen on her walls and interiors. It is made by the late Filipino sculptor Isabelo Tampinco. Originally, National Artist Fernando Amorsolo’s murals – “The Dance” and “History of Music” were displayed in her lobby, but are now in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Museum for protection and safety. The theater’s proscenium was specially made by the master in architectural decoration, House of Precast, while her ceiling is adorned by mangoes, bamboos, bananas and other native plants carvings.
- The detailed ceiling
During her glorious days, the MET is home to all-time favorite theatrical performances, operas, musicals and zarzuelas. Today, what is left is a dark stage; creepy halls decorated with thick dust; empty and dilapidated rooms and hallways; and neglected artworks that echo her vibrant past.
- The proscenium as seen from the upper deck.
- An empty hall inside
- A dilapidated room in MET
A long ownership battle between the City of Manila and the GSIS stalled the planned restoration of the theater. It was only in 2004 when both camps agreed to set aside their differences and restore the MET, in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Museo ng Maynila, Mr. German Moreno, GSIS and the City Council of Manila, the Metropolitan Theater Restoration Steering Committee was formed.
- A chandelier waiting to light an empty hall again
- Empty seats waiting for patrons
It will take years before the MET regain her long lost glory and while that day is still out of sight, I was very lucky to be given an opportunity to have a glimpse of her. It is not everyday that I get a chance to enter inside the majestic theater, where every wall is a surprise and every detail is an art. The MET will forever be a testament of how great Manila was, and how great Manila can still become.
- The MET, where every wall is a surprise and every detail is an art
A tour inside needs a written permit duly approved by GSIS. Thanks to Mr. Lawrence Chance and the rest of Filipinas Stamp Collector Club for arranging the tour. The Filipinas Stamp Collectur Club organizes a free Postal History Tour every third Sunday of the month, you may contact Mr. Lawrence Chan at l_rence_2003[at]yahoo[dot]com to join the trip. Watch out for my Postal History Tour entry soon!
Viewed 23346 times by 8330 viewers
Wolfgang at the MET! June 18, 2011. See you there! =)
this is awesome. been there myself just a few days ago to watch a play.
The Manila Metropolitan Theater was destroyed and bombed by the stronger of the combined American and Philippine Commonwealth military ground forces to defeated and fought against the Japanese Imperial forces in the city and urban fighting on 1945 during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila.
When the Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the American troops of the United States Army to enters to liberated in Manila Metropolitan Theater and defeated Japanese troops, marine soldiers and sailors of the Imperial Japanese Army and the Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces.
I raise my hat to the members of the Restoration Steering Committee, and to Mr. German Moreno, and many thanks for their efforts in bringing back life to the Met. I pray and hope for their success, and to see the Met functional again in the future. It is indeed a very significant part of our past Manila. My father, Domingo A. Principe, was once a part of the zarzuela and stage shows. I also used to regularly walk around the area in the early 70′s when I attended the Mapua Institute of Technology, located along Muralla Street in Intramuros. It was already in bad shape then. I would love to get the chance to watch a classic Tagalog movie, live show, or concert in this theatre whenever I come to visit the Philippines.
noong nakita ko yan, sakay ako sa lrt, nasabi ko sa sarili ko na ang laki-laki pero walang pakinabang kaya KAPAG yumaman ako, bibilhin ko yan tapos papagiba ko kasi mukang wala ng pagasa, yung lote gagawin kong mini-forest talaga, pero ngayon na nalaman ko kung anu PALA siya at kung gaano siya kaganda, naisip kong mali ang plano ko..
may mas maganda pa palang dapat gawin sakanya.. 
)
Well said mikhaela
Thanks for those beautiful photos. Please keep us posted! May be you should set up a facebook page for the ‘Save the Met’
Thanks Mark
Good day sir! It’s Lawrence CHAN
)
Hi Lawrence
)
Wow! ..this is the first time i saw the interior of the Met..maganda and elegant pala although dilapidated na…sana someday..sana pag naayos na ung Met..makapasok ako sa loob and makaattend ako sa mga events na iheheld dun..thanks for posting this pics…
nung student p lng ako and i happen to pass by there natatakot ako tumingin kc feeling ko me mumu!pro gus2 ko cya pasukin,sayang n building ang laki dpat n pakinabangan!
Sayang talaga! We should value it because it’s one of the few remaining structures in the city that remind us of our vibrant past!
wow! gusto ko din po makapasok dyan! sana marestore na sya.
It will be restored! But it will take some time.
at yung isa pa, manila central post office..pero dun nakapasok ako..
ndi ko ito inaasahan sir…
napakabilis mong ipinamahagi ang mga larawan..hehe…nung student pa ako, lagi ako napapahinto diyan, kelangan ko kasing maglakad para makasakay ng jeep na Blumentrit-dimasalang…iniisip ko “anu kaya ang laman?”..misteryo tlga to saakin.(seryoso yan!) salamat at nakita ko na..
It looks like it has so much potential! I hope they can restore it to its full glory soon! It will certainly give the Filipino morale a boost.