List of Art Deco theaters in Metro Manila

Last updated

The following is a list of Art Deco theaters in Metro Manila, theaters constructed in the 1930s to 1950s built in Art Deco style, or a similar branch of the style like Streamline Moderne, in the Philippines. The construction of these early theaters in the Manila metropolitan area provided the venue for early forms of entertainment like bodabil, a local adaptation of vaudeville, with most eventually converting to movie theaters with the growth and popularity of Philippine cinema in the metropolis, while some were showing American films. Several theaters built within the city of Manila were designed by prominent Philippine architects, including future National Artists Juan Nakpil and Pablo Antonio. A lot of these theaters have since been closed and several of them demolished, while movie theaters in the Philippines shifted to shopping mall-based movie theaters.

Contents

Performing arts theaters

Ateneo Auditorium

Once described as "the best theater in the Orient," this theater was on Dakota Street in Ermita. The construction of the auditorium began in May 1935 and was completed in time for the commencement ceremony in 1936. Its architect, Juan Nakpil , was an Ateneo alumnus. The hall had six hundred seats on the ground floor and 193 more in the cantilevered boxes. There were boxes upstairs, and four proscenia. Other features were a projection room and nineteen dressing rooms. The theater was badly damaged in February 1945 during the Battle of Manila, and its ruins were later demolished.

FEU Auditorium

FEU Auditorium ceiling FEU Auditorium ceiling.JPG
FEU Auditorium ceiling

The FEU Auditorium is the Administration Building's centerpiece. It houses 1040 seats and occupies three floors of the four-story building.

Art Deco features abound in the design of the Auditorium and include the gradual curves, the ribbed piers and geometric volumes and patterns. Above the orchestra section are star or diamond like patterns which also serve as lighting fixtures. Above the balcony are triangles which also serve as air conditioning ducts. These, together with the green and gold theme, and the subtle lettering of "FEU" under the boxes were all combined in a regal manner. The interior was restored in 2002-2003 and was also infused with new lighting, sound and video equipment. It was the only post-war venue with air-conditioning and a revolving stage. It used to be the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the 1950s given that all the foremost Filipino and foreign performers of the time performed there.

Manila Metropolitan Theater MetropolitanTheaterWithJeepney.JPG
Manila Metropolitan Theater

Manila Metropolitan Theater

The Manila Metropolitan Theater is located on Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita district adjacent to the Mehan Garden. The theater was built in 1931 with an Art Deco design by architects Juan M. Arellano and Otillio Arellano [1] and could accommodate as many as 1,670 people. The theater is endowed with bronze sculptures depicting female performers designed by Francesco Riccardo Monti, a stained glass mural mounted above the main audience entrance, and relief woodcarvings of Philippine plants found in the interior lobby made by Isabelo Tampingco. The theater was restored in 1978, but was again closed in 1996 due to lack support from the public and local officials. [2] Its east wing was used as an office space for government services.

The theater has undergone renovations which began in 2018, and is now opened on December 10, 2021. [3]

Saint Cecilia's Hall

Saint Cecilia's Hall is located at St. Scholastica's College Manila.

U.P. University Theater

This theater was on Taft Avenue.

Zorilla Theatre

A former venue for Spanish-language and Tagalog-language stage performances which was located along Recto Avenue.

Movie theaters

Avenue Theater

Another architectural work by Juan Nakpil was the Avenue Theater, whose construction was completed in 1938. Located on Rizal Avenue in Santa Cruz, when the theater opened it had a 1,470 seating capacity with its lobby bearing a Belgian marble finish flooring and exclusively showing Paramount Pictures films in the Philippines. First-run movies of Warner Bros., First National, Columbia Pictures Corp., United Artists Corp., and R.K.O. Radio Pictures Corp. were also shown. At one point, the building housed a hotel and also served as office space. [4] In 2006, it was demolished to make way for a parking lot, as realty costs were too expensive for it to be maintained. [5] As of 2013, this site was occupied by Padi's Point, and behind it is a parking lot. The Padi's point has since been demolished, and now the site is being redeveloped.

Bellevue Theater

The Bellevue Theater is one of a few classic Philippine theaters built in the 1930s still running today. It is located on Pedro Gil Street (formerly Herran), in Paco district and has a total seating capacity of 600. The theater features a Neo Mudejar theme, and contains a quonset hut design, and other classic ornamentation. The theater is not currently operational and a general merchandise store occupies its first floor. [6] As of 2013, the building was occupied by Novo Jeans and T-shirt, though a Super 8 Grocery Warehouse, has since moved into the building.

The interior is completely gutted, with almost no traces of the original auditorium left, inside the building.

Benper Theater

This 1960s-style building on Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City has Art Deco features. The structure and cinema was originally owned by the Ang family, one of the first Filipino-Chinese clans in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. "Benper" came from the late couple's combined name - Benito Ang and his spouse Peregrina Dela Rosa.

Capitol Theater

Capitol Theater - Street View Capitol Theater - Street View.jpg
Capitol Theater – Street View

Situated in Escolta Street in Binondo, the Capitol Theater was designed by Juan Nakpil, and built in 1935. With the strong presence of symmetry, geometric shapes, and the occasional presence of graceful curves, the design is strongly identified with the Art Deco visual arts design style which was very popular during the 1930s.

Capitol Theater - Facade - Top Details Capitol Theater - Facade - Top Details.jpg
Capitol Theater – Facade – Top Details

Façade

The most prominent elements of the façade are the reliefs of two Filipina muses done by Francesco Ricardo Monti. Symmetrically installed, the two Filipina muses are explicitly portrayed in native garb or traje de mestizas, evoking contrast between their rural representation and urbanized location. Further contrast can be found in the details of their skirts, where strong lines and soft curves are juxtaposed to depict the pleats of their terno. Both muses carry symbols strongly associated with the performing arts – the left muse carries a mask [associated with theater arts], while the right muse carries a lyre [associated with music].

Capitol Theater - Facade - Film Reel Elements Capitol Theater - Facade - Film Reel Elements.jpg
Capitol Theater – Facade – Film Reel Elements

The bottom of both reliefs are images of film and film reels, likewise executed symmetrically. The presence of these elements are in line with the establishment's purpose as a cinema, and consistent with the Art Deco style which heavily favors bold geometric shapes. Concrete letters spelling the word “Capitol”, once adorned the top of the structure, but only the letters I and T are left. Additional Art Deco elements can be found in the strong geometric details of the top corners and the central iron grills which marries both straight and curved lines.

Interiors

The double-balcony theatre had a total of 800 seats and was among Manila's air-conditioned theaters. Its lobby was adorned with a mural called “Rising Philippines” created by Victorio C. Edades, Carlos V. Francisco, and Galo B. Ocampo.

Damage and Decay

It was ultimately the deterioration of the theatre business in Manila that led to the stoppage of Capitol Theater's operations as a cinema. The construction of the Manila LRT Line 1 and the extensive delays prompted movie goers to prefer newly opened air –conditioned malls with newer cinemas. As of June 2020, most of the theater has been demolished, with only the facade intact. [7]

Cine Concepcion

This movie house was located in Malabon. [8]

Cine Oro

This movie house was located at Plaza Santa Cruz.(see nineteenth photo). Various photos showed that the Cinema was also called the Astor, Savoy, and Radio at one point.

Ever Theater

The Ever Theater is located along Rizal Avenue in Santa Cruz district. The theater was also designed by Juan Nakpil and has a single screen cinema with an 800 seating capacity. It was also visited by Walter Gropius during its inauguration in the 1950s, praising the theater's outstanding qualities. Currently closed as a theater, it now serves the public as a commercial arcade. [9] As of 2013, this site is occupied by Astrotel, a hotel.

Gaiety Theater

Gaiety Theater Gaiety Theatre, Ermita, Manila.JPG
Gaiety Theater

The Gaiety Theater was located Del Pilar Street in the Ermita district in the city of Manila. It was designed in the art deco style in 1935 by Juan Nakpil. As of 2014, it is dilapidated with several families living inside as caretakers. It was demolished in 2016.

Grand Theater

This movie house was on Rizal Avenue.

Ideal Theater

The Ideal Theater was located at Rizal Avenue corner Carriedo Street, Santa Cruz district and designed by the late architect Pablo S. Antonio, Sr. in 1933, the theater was exclusively showing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) films in the Philippines. The theater was demolished in the late 1970s to give way to the construction of a department store now present site of Philtrust Bank Carriedo Branch. The Ideal Theater in 1933, in front Capitan Luis Gonzaga Bldg in 1953 was one of the first major works of Pablo Antonio along with the Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall main buildings in 1939 of Far Eastern University and Manila Polo Club. [10]

Joy Theater

The Joy Theater, Built in 1939 is located on 187 Antonio S Arnaiz Avenue, in Libertad, Pasay. It has since been closed and converted to a Novo Department Store, and was recently painted a bright green & yellow.

The auditorium's ground floor section has been gutted, and incorporated into the store, with a false ceiling installed. The rest of the theater is intact but off limits, behind a staff-only staircase.

Facade of the former Joy Theater. Joy Theater, Libertad.jpg
Facade of the former Joy Theater.

Life Theater

Lyric Theater

This movie house was at 81 Escolta Street, Binondo. An American, Frank Goulette, acquired this theater in 1916 and reopened it in 1917. In 1929 it was a 1,400-seat theater, with no air conditioning, and was considered to be the only first-class movie house in town. This second version of the theater had been designed by Fernando De la Cantera. It was reconstructed, the third time, as a deco building with the largest air-conditioning installation among Manila theaters, by Pablo Antonio and reopened on June 1, 1937, and was exclusively showing Warner Bros. films. In 1939, the Lyric was one of six movie houses in Manila which were considered to be "the most presentable and modernized sort," each of which seated about 1,200 patrons.

Morosi Theater

This Italian-named theater on Taft Avenue in Pasay was demolished in 2016.

Radio Theater

In August 1929 this movie house was the first to show a sound film in the Philippines, which was the American movie Syncopation .

Rex Theater

This movie house was on Salazar Street, Binondo. The theatre is now home to the President Grand Palace restaurant.

Scala Theater

Another theater designed by Pablo Antonio was the Scala Theatre, also on Avenida Rizal in Santa Cruz. With its floors paced with tea rose marble and its curved wall lined with glass blocks, the theater's magnificence did not last: it was closed in the 1990s. The theater catered to up to 600 people for its single screen operations. [11] As of 2013, the theater is now closed though the building structures still remain, albeit in a dire condition.

State Theater

Another work of the late architect Juan Nakpil, the State Theater was on Rizal Avenue, Santa Cruz. Built in the 1930s with an art deco design, the theater was eventually closed in the 1990s, and was demolished in 2001. [12] As of 2013, this site is occupied by Emerald Circle, a mini-mall.

Times Theater

Times Theater Times Theater Exterior 02.jpg
Times Theater

The Times Theater, on Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo, was designed by Architect Luis Z. Araneta. It was erected in 1939, with an Art Moderne relief. Unmaintained today, the theater is still operational, and can accommodate 800 people with its single screen operations. [13]

Tivoli Theater

This movie house was located at Plaza Santa Cruz.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binondo</span> District of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Binondo is a district in Manila and is referred to as the city's Chinatown. Its influence extends beyond to the places of Quiapo, Santa Cruz, San Nicolas and Tondo. It is the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594 by the Spaniards as a settlement near Intramuros but across the Pasig River for Catholic Chinese; it was positioned so that the colonial administration could keep a close eye on their migrant subjects. It was already a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spanish colonial period. Binondo is the center of commerce and trade of Manila, where all types of business run by Filipino-Chinese thrive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carriedo station</span> Train station in Manila, Philippines

Carriedo station is an elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT) station located on the LRT Line 1 (LRT-1) system along the district boundary of Santa Cruz and Quiapo in Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Cruz, Manila</span> District of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Santa Cruz is a district in the northern part of the City of Manila, Philippines, located on the right bank of the Pasig River near its mouth, bordered by the districts of Tondo, Binondo, Quiapo, and Sampaloc, as well as the areas of Grace Park and Barrio San Jose in Caloocan and the district of La Loma in Quezon City. The district belongs to the 3rd congressional district of Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manila North Cemetery</span> Cemetery in Manila, Philippines

The Manila North Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Metro Manila, Philippines. The cemetery is owned by and located in the City of Manila, the national capital, and is one of the largest in the metropolis at 54 hectares. It is located alongside Andrés Bonifacio Avenue and borders two other important cemeteries: the La Loma Cemetery and the Manila Chinese Cemetery. Numerous impoverished families notably inhabit some of the mausoleums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of the Philippines</span> Architectural styles and elements found in the Philippine archipelago

The architecture of the Philippines reflects the historical and cultural traditions in the country. Most prominent historic structures in the archipelago are influenced by Austronesian, American architectures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Nakpil</span> Filipino architect (1899–1986)

Juan Felipe de Jesús Nakpil, KGCR, KSS known as Juan Nakpil, was a Filipino architect, teacher and a community leader. In 1973, he was named one of the National Artists for architecture. He was regarded as the Dean of Filipino Architects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pablo Antonio</span> Filipino architect (1901–1975)

Pablo Sebero Antonio, Sr. was a Filipino architect. A pioneer of modern Philippine architecture, he was recognized in some quarters as the foremost Filipino modernist architect of his time. The rank and title of National Artist of the Philippines was conferred on him by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernando Ocampo</span> Filipino architect and civil engineer

Fernando Hizon Ocampo, Sr. was a Filipino architect and civil engineer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rizal Avenue</span> Major road in northern Manila, Philippines

Rizal Avenue, also known as Avenida or Avenida Rizal, is one of Manila's main thoroughfares running from its Santa Cruz and Quiapo districts to the Bonifacio Monument (Monumento) Circle in Caloocan. Named after the national hero José Rizal, it is a part of Radial Road 9 (R-9). The LRT Line 1 elevated railroad is built above the street in its entire length, and several jeepneys ply the area taking passengers from Caloocan, Quezon City, and Valenzuela. Most of the street is within Santa Cruz, Manila. By the 1960s, economic activities shifted from Binondo to Makati. The avenue forms part of National Route 150 (N150) of the Philippine highway network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escolta Street</span> Historic street in Manila, Philippines

Escolta Street is a historic east–west street located in the old downtown district of Binondo in Manila, Philippines. It runs parallel to the Pasig River, from Quintin Paredes Road to Plaza Santa Cruz Road. The street is home to several fine examples of early skyscraper design in the Philippines. In Spanish, it is known as calle de la Escolta. Its definition as a historic financial district includes Escolta and other surrounding streets of Binondo and Santa Cruz. It currently carries one-way eastbound traffic towards Santa Cruz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pablo Ocampo Street</span> Street in Metro Manila, Philippines

Pablo Ocampo Street, also known simply as Ocampo Street and formerly and still referred to as Vito Cruz Street, is an inner city main road in Manila, Philippines. It runs west–east for about 3.448 kilometers (2.142 mi) connecting the southern districts of Malate and San Andres southeast to the adjacent city of Makati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza Lacson</span> Public square in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines

Plaza Lacson, also known by its old name, Plaza (de) Goiti, is a public square in Santa Cruz, Manila. It is bounded by Plaza Santa Cruz Road and Escolta Street to the west, Carlos Palanca Street to the south, and Carriedo Street to the east. Although the plaza is not considered the center of Santa Cruz, as it is located behind the Santa Cruz Church rather than in front of it, the plaza is considered to be one of the most important squares in Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaiety Theater (Manila)</span>

The Gaiety Theater was a stand-alone art deco cinema house located at M.H. del Pilar Street in the Ermita district of the city of Manila. It was designed by Juan Nakpil, National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture, in 1935. The construction of these early theaters in the City of Manila provided the venue for early forms of entertainment like bodily, a local adaptation of vaudeville, with most eventually converting to movie theaters with the growth and popularity of Philippine cinema in the metropolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capitol Theater (Manila)</span> Theater building in Manila, Philippines

The Capitol Theater was an Art deco theater in Manila, Philippines. It was built during the 1930s along Escolta Street, part of the city's primary commercial district, together with the Lyric Theater. It was designed with a double-balcony by National Artist Juan Nakpil and that was considered a rare feat during that era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life Theater</span>

The Life Theater, which was later known as the Teofilo Villonco Building, was an Art Deco movie theater located Quiapo, Manila. It was designed by Pablo Antonio. During its operational years as a movie theater, the Life Theater was reserved for blockbuster movies due to its large audience capacity and air conditioning system. The building is owned by Remy Villonco of Malabon, son of Dr. Teofilo Villonco, whose family is involved in the theater industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Metro Manila–related articles</span>

The following is an alphabetical list of articles related to the Philippine capital region of Metro Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iglesia ni Cristo chapel, F. Manalo-San Juan</span> Church in Metro Manila, Philippines

The Iglesia Ni Cristo Locale of F. Manalo-San Juan, formerly Locale of Riverside is a chapel and former central office complex of the Philippine-based Christian sect, Iglesia ni Cristo. Located in Barangay Santa Lucia, San Juan, it was completed in 1952, and it is the former central office complex and main house of worship of the church. The art-deco ensembles were designed by the national artist of architecture Juan Nakpil, who also built some of the standalone theaters in Rizal Avenue, UP Diliman Campus buildings and Quiapo Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrés Luna de San Pedro</span> Filipino architect

Andrés Pardo de Tavera Luna was a Filipino architect who built the first air-conditioned building in the Philippines, the Crystal Arcade one of the popular tenant of Manila Stock Exchange Building that was once located on No. 71 Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila. He was assigned as the city architect of the City of Manila from 1920 to 1924. His designs were modernist. Some of them were lost during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza Cervantes</span>

Plaza de Cervantes is a public square in Binondo, Manila, bounded by Quintin Paredes Street to the east and Juan Luna Street to the west, near the Estero de Binondo. Dedicated to Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, it is one of three main plazas in Binondo, located between Plaza Moraga to the south and Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz to the north.

References

  1. "Remembering the Manila Metropolitan Theater". nolisoli.ph. June 12, 2017.
  2. Mayuga, Sylvia L. (April 11, 2011)."Art Deco: Regaining Lost Memory". GMA News Online. Retrieved on 2011-10-10.
  3. Jan 4, 2021, Christa I. De La Cruz. "Finally: The Manila Metropolitan Theater Reopens This Year". SPOT.PH. Retrieved March 9, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Cinema Treasures – Avenue Theater
  5. Jalbuena, Katrice (June 4, 2006). "Rizal Avenue landmark gone". The Manila Times . Yehey.com. Retrieved January 20, 2009.[ dead link ]
  6. Cinema Treasures – Bellevue Theater
  7. de la Cruz, Christa. "Capitol Theater in Escolta Demolished".
  8. "Art deco theater in Malabon".
  9. Cinema Treasures – Ever Theater
  10. Cinema Treasures – Ideal Theater
  11. Cinema Treasures – Scala Theatre
  12. Cinema Treasures – State Theater
  13. Cinema Treasures – Times Theater