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Manila Metropolitan Theater
The Manila Metropolitan Theater (Filipino: Tanghalang Metropolitan; also known as the Metropolitan Theater; abbreviated as the MET) is a historic Philippine Art Deco building located in Plaza Lawton in Ermita, Manila. It is recognized as the forefront of the Art Deco architectural style in the Philippines.
Designed by architect Juan M. Arellano, the Metropolitan Theater was inaugurated on December 10, 1931. The theater was heavily damaged during the Battle of Manila and subsequently went through several restoration programs of varying levels of success. After its most extensive public restoration efforts, the Metropolitan Theater reopened on December 10, 2021, the 90th anniversary of its inauguration. It is currently under the administration of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
In 1976, the Metropolitan Theater was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). In 2010, the National Museum recognized the Met as a National Cultural Treasure.
In 1924, during the American Colonial period, the Philippine Legislature approved the project proposal of Senator Juan B. Alegre to build a "people's theater" in the Mehan Garden. There was little, however, that came of it until 1928, when Manila Mayor Tomas Earnshaw spearheaded a project to build a theater. The City of Manila leased out 8,293 square meters of public land in the Mehan Garden to the newly-formed Metropolitan Theater Company at ₱1.00 for 99 years.
The Metropolitan Theater Company was made up of wealthy Manila businessmen who would provide the capital for the venture. It was headed by Horace B. Pond of the Pacific Commercial Company, who was joined on the Board by Antonio Melian of El Hogar Filipino, Enrique Zóbel of Ayala y Compañia, University of the Philippines President Rafael Palma, Senator Manuel Camus, Leopold Kahn of Levy Hermanos, and businessman J.L. Pierce. The Metropolitan Theater Company raised ₱1 million to fund the project through community efforts, including fundraising dinners and selling stock to the public at affordable rates, offering Class A shares for ₱100.00 and Class B shares for ₱5.00 par value.
Filipino architect Juan M. Arellano was commissioned by the government to design the theater and was sent to the United States to study under Thomas W. Lamb, one of America's leading architects in theater design. At that point, Arellano was known for his neoclassical architectural style, but the Metropolitan Theater marked his departure towards more modern designs.
The cornerstone was laid in February 1928, with construction by Pedro A. Siochi & Co. as contractors.
The Metropolitan Theater was inaugurated on December 10, 1931. In attendance were Mayor Earnshaw, Senate President Manuel L. Quezon, Interim American Governor George C. Butte, Speaker of the House Sergio Osmeña, and other prominent government leaders, businessmen, and society figures.
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Manila Metropolitan Theater
The Manila Metropolitan Theater (Filipino: Tanghalang Metropolitan; also known as the Metropolitan Theater; abbreviated as the MET) is a historic Philippine Art Deco building located in Plaza Lawton in Ermita, Manila. It is recognized as the forefront of the Art Deco architectural style in the Philippines.
Designed by architect Juan M. Arellano, the Metropolitan Theater was inaugurated on December 10, 1931. The theater was heavily damaged during the Battle of Manila and subsequently went through several restoration programs of varying levels of success. After its most extensive public restoration efforts, the Metropolitan Theater reopened on December 10, 2021, the 90th anniversary of its inauguration. It is currently under the administration of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
In 1976, the Metropolitan Theater was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). In 2010, the National Museum recognized the Met as a National Cultural Treasure.
In 1924, during the American Colonial period, the Philippine Legislature approved the project proposal of Senator Juan B. Alegre to build a "people's theater" in the Mehan Garden. There was little, however, that came of it until 1928, when Manila Mayor Tomas Earnshaw spearheaded a project to build a theater. The City of Manila leased out 8,293 square meters of public land in the Mehan Garden to the newly-formed Metropolitan Theater Company at ₱1.00 for 99 years.
The Metropolitan Theater Company was made up of wealthy Manila businessmen who would provide the capital for the venture. It was headed by Horace B. Pond of the Pacific Commercial Company, who was joined on the Board by Antonio Melian of El Hogar Filipino, Enrique Zóbel of Ayala y Compañia, University of the Philippines President Rafael Palma, Senator Manuel Camus, Leopold Kahn of Levy Hermanos, and businessman J.L. Pierce. The Metropolitan Theater Company raised ₱1 million to fund the project through community efforts, including fundraising dinners and selling stock to the public at affordable rates, offering Class A shares for ₱100.00 and Class B shares for ₱5.00 par value.
Filipino architect Juan M. Arellano was commissioned by the government to design the theater and was sent to the United States to study under Thomas W. Lamb, one of America's leading architects in theater design. At that point, Arellano was known for his neoclassical architectural style, but the Metropolitan Theater marked his departure towards more modern designs.
The cornerstone was laid in February 1928, with construction by Pedro A. Siochi & Co. as contractors.
The Metropolitan Theater was inaugurated on December 10, 1931. In attendance were Mayor Earnshaw, Senate President Manuel L. Quezon, Interim American Governor George C. Butte, Speaker of the House Sergio Osmeña, and other prominent government leaders, businessmen, and society figures.