“Did you know this plaque marks a National Historical Landmark?” I ask. The Manila Metropolitan Theater. Right here before us stands a testament to a rich past. This isn’t just a building. It’s a story etched in stone and stained glass.
The Manila Metropolitan Theater. Opened December 10 1931 it was designed by the brilliant Filipino architect Juan M Arellano. He even studied in the United States to master theater design. Arellano’s style here is Art Deco. Yet he cleverly infused Filipino elements. Batik patterns. Capiz lamps. Banana leaf pillars. The details are exquisite. They reflect the artistry of the Philippines.
The Manila Metropolitan Theater’s story is one of survival. It weathered the Battle of Manila in World War II. The building was bombed. Amazingly it stood. The walls endured. The spirit of this place refused to be broken. In the decades that followed it served many purposes. A boxing gym. A seedy motel. Even a basketball court. Yet its heart remained. The dream of a national theater persisted.
In 1978 Imelda Marcos oversaw a restoration. The theater reopened. It shone again. But ownership disputes caused its closure in 1996. Many believed the Manila Metropolitan Theater was lost. Its days were over.
Then came a new chapter. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The NCCA. They acquired the theater. They embarked on another. A more extensive restoration. They uncovered original features. Original sculptures. They painstakingly brought the Manila Metropolitan Theater back to life. They honored Arellano’s original vision. They reopened the Manila Metropolitan Theater on December 10 2021. It was its 90th anniversary.
This plaque. This simple marker. It commemorates the resilience. The history. The beauty of the Manila Metropolitan Theater. It’s a reminder of what we can achieve when we preserve our cultural heritage. When we believe in the power of art. The power of story. The power of this Grand Old Dame of Manila.