Stunning pictures of the Metropolitan Theater (MET) in Manila were revealed on Monday by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, revealing how the first phase of the heritage building’s rehabilitation is moving forward a year after work began.
The photos posted by the Manila city mayor on his Facebook page has been flooded with praises and recollection of memories made at the MET by people from all over the world.
Mayor Isko captioned the FB post on January 27 with, “Inspected the Metropolitan Theater this afternoon. Thank you officials from the NHCP, CCP and NCCA.”
The MET has been undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the new owners of the MET.
NCCA, the country’s prime government agency for arts and culture, became the new owners of the MET after President Benigno Aquino III had the Department of Budget Management release P270 million from the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA) for the sale of the MET from its owner, the GSIS.
Universities have also been helping with the restoration project of the MET with colorist Ivan Bilugan restored old photos of the MET to show its heyday grandeur.
The projected completion of the first phase of the rehabilitation of the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) is on the first quarter of 2020.
A National Cultural Treasure and a National Historical Landmark, the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) is a 1930s art deco structure that was the center of the arts and culture in the pre-World War 2 era.
Designed by Juan Arellano, who also designed the Legislative Building, the Manila Post Office, and the now famous recently restored Jones Bridge, the Metropolitan Theater’s architectural features bear witness to many memorable and iconic events.
Who can forget going to the MET or passing by its unique facade with its stained glass and the name Metropolitan plastered across? The auditorium’s unique features also stand out with its very colorful combinations of mangoes, bananas, and foliage motifs.
There are innumerable wonderful art deco fixtures, statues, and special features of the MET, that are actually too many to mention here, that many people look forward to seeing again.
Through the years, after WW2, the MET encountered several cycles of neglect, misuse, and restoration. We are hoping that after the country’s largest restoration project is completed in 2022, people who will be in charge of the historic landmark will endeavor to properly maintain and take care of this precious heritage site.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the Philippines’ heritage groups for their efforts with the restoration project of the Metropolitan Theater of Manila!
Want to know how to be a Proud Pinoy? Like, Follow, Subscribe to GoodNewsPilipinas.com and our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Good News Pilipinas! TV on YouTube, for new story notifications and e-mail newsletters for updates on more Filipino Pride stories.
