Manileños turned their back on 19th century Spanish mores and architecture and embraced the move toward greater westernization with gusto--the populace donned silk stockings and sharkskin suits, flocked to cabarets and movie-houses, danced the conga and boogie-woogie, and moved into art deco homes. Landmarks like the Old Congress Building,  Manila City Hall and Central Post Office rose in the heart of the city. More beautiful than them all, Juan Arellano's   Metropolitan Theater, the earliest and most delightful example of art-deco in the entire country,  made her the "grand dame" of Manila's public buildings.  Like Arrellano's Post Office building, it survived the war, badly beaten but not broken - but not the neglect of its long time owners, the clueless Government Service Insurance System.

 

Malacañang also wants the art-deco theater reopened and has released 50 million pesos to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, though in the Philippine manner  it is not certain when the pronounced ' immediate restoration and rehabilitation"  will take effect.

 

The park area south of the theater (pictured) is now a Park 'n Ride and  bus depot.