The Manila Metropolitan Theater

One of the most interesting art-deco building designed by the Great Filipino Architect Juan M. Arellano, the same person who designed the Manila Central Post Office Building and Jones Bridge.

The Manila Metropolitan Theater also know as MET, according to the historian there used to be an old theater during the Spanish colonial period ( Teatro del Prinsipe Alfonso XII ) which was built near the present day Metropolitan Theater . The old theater was the main focal building within the large and sprawling Plaza Arroceros in 1862.

In 1862, the Teatro del Principe Alfonso XII was opened to the public and several foreign companies were hired to perform operettas, zarzuelas and three-act plays. On June 11, 1865, “La Conquista de Jolo” was staged there and it glorified the military campaigns of Governor Antonio Urbiztondo in the south, in 1750. Another play dedicated to the Spaniards who waged war in Jolo, Sulu  “Una Pagina de Gloria” was presented in April, 1876.

One of four Siamese dancer

The MET opened its door to the public on the year 1931, where several presentations were held on its hall. But during the 2nd World War, MET was severely devastated. Through the effort of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, it was reconstructed on the year 1978. Unsettled issues between Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and local government of Manila lead to the closure of MET on 1996.

The sculpture of eve was done by the Italian sculptor Francesco Monti

Inside the Met Theater

 The MET Proscenium 

During its heyday, the theater could accommodate 1,670 people: 846 in the orchestra section, 116 in the loge and 708 in the balcony areas.

Some interesting art in the side of the theater lobby.

 The empty ballroom

The chandelier were made of wood and brass and was installed in the 1978 rennovation done by Mrs.Imelda Marcos.

 One of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo’s murals

 The Lobby

the interesting banana ceiling at MET Theater

Some amenities and interesting art-deco of MET Theater

The seating arrange 

MET Canteen

MET Entrance

 The terrace 

 The torch

Backdoor Entrance

| Post Sign : The Metropolitan theater was done by Arcadio Arellano ( brother of Juan Arellano ) Juan Arellano with collaboration with Francesco Monti for sculpture, Isabelo Tampingco for the wooden sculpture. 

I wanna thank Lawrence Chan of Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club, who conduct a free Postal Heritage Walking Tour which they held every third Sunday of the month. You may contact Sir Lawrence Chan at l_rence_2003@yahoo.com to join the trip.

By the way its one of my bucketlist! Atlast unti na lang! 

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Some photos by : Mathew Dumlao an Electronics and Communications engineering student who continually tries to find moments worthy of being captured. Member of Powerhouse Project (An AXLPPI subsidiary)