Manila Metropolitan Theater

The Metropolitan Theater ( fil, Tanghalang Metropolitan), abbreviated as MET, is a Philippine Art Deco building found near the Mehan Garden located on Padre Burgos Avenue corner Arroceros Street, near the Manila Central Post Office. It was designed by architect Juan M. Arellano and inaugurated on December 10, 1931.

History

Early years

In 1862, the Teatro del Príncipe Alfonso XII was built within Plaza Arroceros, near the present-day Metropolitan Theater. This theater stood until the late 1860s or early 1870s, when the old theater was burnt down.

It was in 1924, during the American Colonial period that the idea of constructing a theater in Manila came about. The Philippine Legislature then approved Senator Juan Alegre's proposal to build a theater within the Mehan Garden (now Sining Kayumanggi). The construction began in 1930 under the supervision of the architecture firm of Pedro Siochi and Company in an 8,239.58 square meter area of the park. It was inaugurated on December 10, 1931. This new theater housed different performances from zarzuelas, dramas to translations of foreign classics.

Juan Arellano, one of the first pensionados in architecture, also known for his other major projects such as the Legislative Building and Manila Central Post Office Building, designed the Manila Metropolitan Theater in January 1930. He was sent to the United States to be guided by one of the experts in designing theaters, Thomas W. Lamb of Shreve and Lamb.

World War II and subsequent years

The theater's roof and walls were partially destroyed during World War II. During the post-war period, it was repurposed as a boxing arena, a motel, gay bar, basketball court and as a home for squatters. In 1978, a restoration of the theater was initiated by the then Governor of Metro Manila Imelda Marcos which was headed by Otilio, the nephew of Juan Arellano.
Its prestige as a cultural center was redeemed but proved to be short-lived. It closed down its doors again in 1996 because of conflicts of ownership between the Manila City Administration and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). In 2010, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim tried to revive the theater but to no avail. On June 23, 2010, Arroyo led the unveiling rites for a marker which recognized the building as a National Cultural Treasure.

The theater was used again once for a Wolfgang concert in 2011. But since 2012, the theater was closed again due to decays inside the building. The structure continued to deteriorate despite numerous small efforts to maintain the building's condition. In 2013, the building became a subject of the GMA documentary series ''I-Witness'' which also alleged paranormal activities in the theater.

Under the NCCA (2015–)

In May 2015, the Department of Budget and Management released Php 270 Million from the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts for the sale of the theater from its owner, the GSIS. In June 2015, the GSIS transferred the right of ownership of the theater to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to start the rehabilitation process of the MET.

Clean-up drives were started in December 2015, paving the way for the eventual restoration of the building by 2016.

In mid-2021, the name of the theater was changed to the NCCA Metropolitan Theater after the government cultural agency which acquired the theater in 2015. The name change was met with controversy in the Philippine arts and heritage conservation community due to the lack of historic connections of the NCCA with the theater's history. The name of the theater was later reverted back but has since dropped "Manila" (which it supposedly acquired after the 1978 restorations) and is now simply referred to by its original name the Metropolitan Theater.

The Metropolitan Theater had its soft opening on June 23, 2021; reopening with an event organized by the Manila city government featuring acts by Christian Bautista, The Company, Angeline Quinto, and Bugoy Drilon. The reopening of the theater has been postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening was previously planned to be held in April 2021 as part of the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines and later on June 12, 2021 as part of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations. The theater was fully reopened on December 10, 2021, the exact same date of its inauguration from 90 years ago.

In June 18, 2022, fire broke out on the Burgos wing (left side) of the theater currently being renovated, reaching 2nd alarm. It was put under control hours later, with minimal damages reported. The main theater was not affected.

Architecture

The concept of the theater was explained by Juan M. Arellano, the architect, during one of his interviews in January 1930.

Arellano was influenced by early Filipino art which uses local motifs and diverse imagery of Philippine flora. Aside from his knowledge on Filipino art was the factor of economy which both helped the architect in having a modern design approach to the theater. Meanwhile, the phrase “on wings of song” gave the structural configuration, a box-shaped auditorium flanked by pavilions on both sides. The mix of modernization and romanticization resulted in A. V. H. Hartendorp labeling it as modern expressionism.

The Metropolitan Theater façade resembles a stage being framed by a proscenium-like central window of stained glass which carries the name “Metropolitan” with flora and fauna motifs surrounding the label. This helps bring in light to the lobby. It was highlighted on both ends by the curving walls with colorful decorated tiles in resemblance with the batik patterns from Southeast Asia. There are also moldings of zigzag and wavy lines that go with the sponged and painted multi-colored massive walls. The wall that framed the stained glass is a segmented arch with rows of small finials on the upper edge of the wall. Angkor Wat-inspired minarets crown the top of the concave roof which suggested its status as a theater back in its prime days. Located in the entrance are elaborate wrought iron gates which are patterned into leaf designs and various lines. Accenting the ground level are Capiz lamps and banana-leaf formed pillars which go alternately with the theater's entrances.

File:Metropolitan Theater.JPG, Close up of the art deco ornaments of the Metropolitan Theater
File:Manilajf2185 26.JPG, Manila Metropolitan Theater Entrance Facade
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Main Facade.jpg, The main facade with the glass mural and other decorative elements
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Aracde.jpg, Arcade
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Sculpture.jpg, A sculpture at the topmost part
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Typical Bay.jpg, Typical bay
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Masses.jpg, Play of levels of massing
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Minor Entrance.jpg, Side entrances
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Block.jpg, The fly tower
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater Ornament.jpg, Organic ornaments
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater View from Quezon Bridge.jpg, View from the foot of Quezon Bridge.
File:Manila Metropolitan Theater front (Padre Burgos, Manila; 02-10-2022).jpg, The Theater from the air

File:MET Entrance at Night.jpg, Newly restored Manila Metropolitan Theater Entrance Facade at night

Standing at the back is the fly tower decorated on the sides by geometric motifs. The ceiling profile of the auditorium was reflected in the exterior through stepped vaults.

There were different artists who collaborated in this project especially inside the theater. Located at the main lobby were sculptures of Adam and Eve done by Francesco Riccardo Monti, who resided in Manila from 1930 up to his death in 1958. Isabelo Tampinco, a Filipino artist designed the Philippine plant-themed carvings in the interior spaces including the lobby while National Artist Fernando Amorsolo painted the murals The Dance and The History of Music located at the ends of the balcony. The grillwork on small balconies looking out into the foyer was exceptionally elegant transitions from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, expressed by Lourdes Montinola in her book. The two black posts at the bottom of the staircases were decorated with glass mosaic tiles.

The main auditorium projects a different character as compared to the building envelope's ornamentality. A sequence of gradually lowered arches made of local wood, enhanced by panels with colorful motifs. These motifs were a combination of mangoes, bananas, and foliage painted by the brother of Juan Arellano, Arcadio. On top of the proscenium are figures symbolic of Music, Tragedy, Poetry and Comedy.Resembling bamboo stalks are the tapering lamps of translucent glass which surround the theater space. The focal point is the rectangular stage adorned with mango fruits and leaves motif.

The crystal lamps made from bamboo stalks which vertically light up the hall are the first in the country in terms of indirect lighting. It is also a new character of Art Deco during that period. The theater, according to some people has good acoustics and lighting and a large seating capacity of 1,670 (846 orchestra, 116 in loge, and 708 in balcony) which housed performances, operas, concerts, and plays for more than a decade. It also continued up to the Japanese occupation where Zarzuelas, Filipino operas, films and stage were shown.

Events hosted

The Manila Metropolitan Theater housed performances by international artists like Ted Shawn, Jascha Heifetz, Amelita Galli-Curci and Fritz Kreisler and local shows such as the “Smiles of 1936,” “Querer Ranchero” and “Luisa Fernando” were all part of the decade that followed its inauguration.

The first cartoon featuring Mickey Mouse in the Philippines was screened in the theater and the first film of LVN Pictures, ''Giliw Ko'' premiered in the theater on July 29, 1939, a screening attended by then-President Manuel Quezon.

It was still active during the Japanese occupation showing support even for the guerrilla underground. The MET was once the home of the Manila Symphony Orchestra but they refused to perform there during the occupation, prompting the Japanese to make the ''New Philippines Symphony Orchestra''.Pablo A.Tariman. New MSO Season Opens June 5. The Metropolitan Theater has not been used for a long time.

Eat Bulaga! was also hosted at the Met Theater as ''Eat Bulaga! Live @ The Met'' in 1980.

The finale of the first season of the revived '' Sing Galing'' was held at the restored Metropolitan Theater.

References

{{Manila landmarks

Art Deco architecture in the Philippines
Theaters in Manila
Cultural Properties of the Philippines in Metro Manila
Landmarks in the Philippines
Buildings and structures in Ermita
Theatres completed in 1931
National Historical Landmarks of the Philippines
1931 establishments in the Philippines
Juan M. Arellano buildings