Restored Metropolitan Theater to reopen in December

After years of rehabilitation and restoration, the Metropolitan Theater (MET) is set to open its doors again for public viewing. 

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) toured members of the press on Tuesday, June 2,2 to showcase the newly-restored Art Deco theater.  

THE NEW METROPOLITAN THEATER ✨

LOOK: The National Commission for Culture and the Arts tours media representatives inside the newly-restored Metropolitan Theater (MET) in Manila on Tuesday, June 22. https://t.co/cUJRzLMNX6 pic.twitter.com/xsCjYwykUz

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) June 22, 2021

“Ang muling pagbubukas ng Metropolitan Theater ay magbibigay ng sigla at panumbalik na sigla sa Teatrong Pilipino.” NCAA Chairman Arsenio Nick Lizaso told GMA Network’s 24 Oras.  (The reopening of the Metropolitan Theater will give a boost to Philippine theater.) 

For its opening in December, the MET will house movie screenings and hold different theater plays. “Ang maso-showcase dito ay zarzuela at vaudeville. Ang mga kabataan natin ngayon, hindi nakita ‘yan,” Lazaso added. (It’ll showcase zarzuela and vaudeville, which young Filipinos haven’t seen yet.)

The Metropolitan Theater, designed by architect Juan M. Arellano, was inaugurated in 1931. It was once home to the most famous Filipino plays and orchestras. 

The MET was partially destroyed during World War II and was formally closed in 1996. “Ito po ay ikalimang buhay na ng Metropolitan Theater. Binuksan, nawala, naluma at tinirhan ng maraming city dwellers,” Lizaso said.

(This is the fifth life of Metropolitan Theater. Throughout the years, it opened and closed, got old and was occupied by city dwellers.) 

The chairman added that the NCCA spent millions of pesos in restoring the theater to its original glory, after they bought the Met from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) last 2015. 

For its soft opening, the MET will host the Gawad ng Parangal awarding ceremony of the Manila City Government on Wednesday, June 23, ahead of its celebration of Araw ng Maynila. 

Manila City’s PIO chief Julius Leonen told GMA Network’s 24 Oras, “Ang historical value nito ay ating kinikilala sa pagsasagawa ng seremonya na ito sa pagkilala ng Outstanding Manilans sa ating Metropolitan Theater.” 

(We recognize the historical value of Metropolitan Theater as we hold our ceremony for the Outstanding Manilans here.) 

Final details about the MET’s grand opening in December has yet to be announced. – Rappler.com