AFTER years of restoration and repair, the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila will finally open its doors this year, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

“Doors of the newly restored Met will be open to all Filipinos from all classes of our society. For this is the people’s theater,” the commission said in a post.

NCCA Chairman Arsenio ‘Nick’ Lizaso said that the comeback of the historic Met was made possible with help of individuals who shared a common dream — to bring back to life one of the country’s cultural treasures.

“The inauguration of the new Met is the culmination of a long arduous journey. This has been made possible by the determined effort of a long line of individuals who share a common dream to bring back to life one of our nation’s cultural treasures. We will strive to do our best to be worthy of this collective effort as well as the high expectations of our people,” Lizaso said.

The new Metropolitan Theater will have its maiden show on April 27 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan. The Met was shut down in 1996.

The NCCA and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso partnered for the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the city at the Metropolitan Theater to be held in June 2021.