PSA: Free Tours of the Manila Metropolitan Theater Are Now Available Starting This Month

(SPOT.ph) The Manila Metropolitan Theater (fondly called The MET) has been open for quite some time now, following major restoration efforts back in the early 2010s. And while it has been hosting a few events and shows here and there, have you ever just basked in the Grand Dame of Manila's glory? Have you taken in just how grand this Art Deco structure really is? If your answer is no to those questions, then this new initiative from The MET might just tickle your fancy.

Heads up: the Manila Metropolitan Theater now offers free guided tours of its facilities every third Sunday of the month. Explore The MET's main theater and its indoor and outdoor facilities with a knowledgeable guide from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and see the building in a new light.

Also read: The SPOT.ph Guide to The Most Beautiful Art Deco Buildings in Manila

To join the tours, keep an eye out for posts from the Metropolitan Theater and register through their link. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only 100 participants will be allowed per batch. Walk-ins will only be accepted if there are available slots on the tour, but we recommend signing up ahead of time so you can secure a guaranteed slot.

Tours start at 9 a.m. and take about one to one and a half hours. Don't be late because latecomers will not be accepted. Pro tip: you can arrive up to 30 mins before the schedule to give yourself ample time to relax and bask in the spirit of The MET.

As of writing, slots for the January free public tours are already filled (after one hour)—a testament to how popular this activity is expected to be. But don't worry, this new initiative from the NCCA and the Metropolitan Theater management happens every month. So if you missed out this January, just make sure to keep your eyes peeled for next month's call for registration.

But why would a tour of the Manila Metropolitan Theater be such a blockbuster event anyway? ICYDK, the Manila Metropolitan Theater is a National Historical Landmark and National Cultural Treasure. It’s famous for incorporating Filipino elements into its classic Art Deco design, such as the mangoes and bananas on its ceiling and the use of capiz for certain architectural details. Its colorful facade and French-inspired, highly flourished design, courtesy of Juan Arellano, has often been credited as the poster child of the Philippine Art Deco movement.

The Manila Metropolitan Theater originally opened in 1931 and was then the go-to venue for hosting zarzuelas, operas, musicals, and plays. But sadly, this was halted when it was badly damaged during World War II.

Since then, the Manila Metropolitan Theater has undergone several restoration efforts, with the most recent (and most successful) one completed in 2021. This year marks the 95th year of the MET, and it's high time we see it for the national treasure it truly is.

For more information, visit The Metropolitan Theater's Facebook page.