(SPOT.ph) Small cinemas in Metro Manila were a welcome break from all the malls springing up everywhere. They champion Filipino independent movies, showcase foreign films, bring back timeless classics, and offer intimate movie-viewing as if you're in your own home theater. But like most establishments, they've been forced to suspend operations since March amid the ongoing community quarantine. And Cinema Centenario, which opened in 2017, is the first microcinema to throw in the towel as they announced their permanent closure on October 7.
"After more than 200 days ng aming pagsasara buhat ng pandemic, nais naming magpaalam dahil tuluyan na naming isasara ang pinto ng ating Tahanan sa Maginhawa," they said in a heartbreaking statement, posted 7:30 in the evening. The reality is even when the community quarantine eases, microcinemas like Cinema Centenario won't be able to keep up with the stringent safety measures. Social distancing is close to impossible in neighborhood movie houses, after all.
"At sana, manatili rin ang inyong suporta sa kung saan man kami magpunta. Uncertain pa kung ano ang hatid ng 'New Normal.' But we will Moov forward sa patuloy na pag-develop ng Pelikulang Pilipino even beyond its centennial celebration," they added.
Online, patrons have been sharing their memories about Cinema Centenario, from the 3 a.m. screenings to the last time they watched a tearjerking Pinoy film there:
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