Restoration
Restoration
Restoration
Manila Metropolitan Theater The theater's roof and walls were partially destroyed during World
War II. During the post-war period, it was repurposed as a boxing
‘ arena, a motel, gay bar, basketball court and as a home for squatters.
In 1978, a restoration of the theater was initiated by the then Gover-
n 2013, the building became a subject nor of Metro Manila Imelda Marcos which was headed by Otilio, the
The first grand opening of the Manila of the GMA documentary series I-Wit- nephew of Juan Arellano. Its prestige as a cultural center was re-
Metropolitan Theater was held in Octo- ness which also alleged paranormal deemed but proved to be short-lived. It closed down its doors again in
ber 1931. Juan M. Arellano became an activities in the theater. 1996 because of conflicts of ownership between the Manila City Ad-
architect of the building. After World ministration and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
War I that made people know grief, ev- In May 2015, the Department of In 2010, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Manila mayor Al-
eryone wanted to feel a sense of holi- fredo Lim tried to revive the theater but to no avail. On June 23, 2010,
day, freedom of desires, and have a Budget and Management released Arroyo led the unveiling rites for a marker which recognized the build-
limitlessness of opportunities. Con- Php 270 Million from the National En- ing as a National Cultural Treasure.
struction of the Metropolitan Theater dowment Fund for Culture and the Arts The theater was used again once for a Wolfgang concert in 2011. But
became a kind of psychological reac- for the sale of the theater from its since 2012, the theater was closed again due to decays inside the
tion to liberation from austere living owner, the GSIS. In June 2015, the building.[citation needed] The structure continued to deteriorate de-
that prevailed during the years of the GSIS transferred the right of ownership spite numerous small efforts to maintain the building's condition.
war. of the theater to the National Commis-
sion for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to
However, the triumph of peace and start the rehabilitation process of the
holiday did not last long: in 1945 during MET.
the battle of Manila the building of the
theater was significantly damaged. In mid-2021, the name of the theater
Some parts of the roof and walls were was changed to the NCCA Metropoli-
ruined. After the war, Americans made tan Theater after the government cul-
a reconstruction of the theater. Then tural agency which acquired the the-
again, the theater was neglected. ater in 2015. The name change was
met with controversy in the Philippine
In 1978, the building was restored arts and heritage conservation commu-
again. However, the theater was still nity due to the lack of historic connec-
The concept of the theater was explained by
Juan M. Arellano, the architect, during one of his
interviews in January 1930.
The Philippines needed a modern cultural center
for operas, concerts, and plays, and he planned
to achieve a monumental one through its dimen-
sions, elevations, and splendid decorations, and
through its harmonious liens it would symbolize
an organ or a cathedral.[citation needed]
Timoteo Consing Sr., a former governor of Iloilo, occupied the residence after the family
left. Two Filipino Presidents, Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmena, stayed at the resi-
dence over the years while they were in Iloilo on business. Regrettably, after years of
neglect, the home was acquired from the Consing family in 2014 and afterwards re-
paired by a private firm. The mansion has been transformed after it underwent repair
into a historical museum with a gift store that also offers regional goods and cuisines.
Doa Petra Lacson and Estanislao Yulo Yusay, a well-known lawyer and judge from
Molo, erected the palace in 1926. Together, they have 10 kids. One of the couple's ten
children, Rosario Yusay, received the house after Estanislao's passing in 1940. Timoteo
Consing Sr., the governor of Iloilo from 1934 until 1937, shared a home with Rosario.
Timoteo Consing Jr. and Nieva Ramirez-Consing, one of the proprietors of the sugar mill
business Passi Sugar Central (bought by the Universal Robina Company in 2007), re-
ceived the land from the governor .