Tributes to the past, looking forward to the future at the Metropolitan Theater 90th anniversary, reopening

One of the highlights of the grand reopening of the Metropolitan Theater that also coincided with its 90th Anniversary was the debut of the MET hymn entitled Pasulong Muli ang MET.

Ryan Cayabyab leads the performers in singing the MET hymn Pasulong Muli ang MET

With music by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and lyrics by Floy Quintos, the hymn gives tribute to the MET's storied past but also poses a challenge for the present to shape and mold its future.

And this, in essence, was the prevailing theme of the star studded program entitled Tanghalang Metropolitan 2021: Pagpupugay sa Tanghalang Bayan that signalled the new beginning of the MET.

Al Ryan Alejandro, Arsenio J. Lizaso, and Marichu Tellano

The evening started with the ribbon cutting led by Arsenio J. Lizaso, Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the unveiling of the marker and commemorative covers.

A rich tapestry of indigenous Filipino culture was showcased by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group during the offering that followed.

The program proper, hosted by Issa Litton, looked back heavily on the past, reminding the audience that despite the entry of newer performance venues around the Metro in the past decade, the MET remains a prized theater due to its historical significance.

Legendary MET Executive Director Conchita "Conching" Sunico was given a special, multimedia tribute, a fusion of fashion and music with soprano Jade Riccio, that looked back to her days as the Carnival Queen back in the 1930s.

Raul Sunico

Conching's nephew, pianist Raul Sunico gave a solo performance that offered a glimpse of future classical music concerts happening at the MET that can fill the gap left by the closure of the nearby Philam Life Auditorium almost a decade ago.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

The Manila Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of its current music director Marlon Chen performed an overture made up of music from various foreign and local productions staged at the MET throughout the decades. Accompanying the performance was a video clip that showed archived photos of the theater as well as local and foreign classical music artists, including some icons and legends, who have once graced the MET stage.

It is worthy to note that the MSO performed at the MET's inauguration back in December 10, 1931 and made the theater its home from that time since up to the time when World War II broke out. The orchestra was once again based at the MET since the 1978 reopening up until when it had to disband. Clearly, the MET and the MSO have a shared history and it will not be surprising if this theater will also serve as the venue for the MSO's 100th anniversary celebration in 1926.

Jon Santos as Canuplin gave a nod to the era of the bodabil, a popular form of entertainment that once lorded over various theaters in the country including the MET.

Celeste Legaspi

An extended musical extravaganza with performers that included Celeste Legaspi, Mitch Valdes, Dulce, Isay Alvarez-Seña, Robert Seña, Bo Cerrudo, Beverly Salviejo, Nicole Asensio, Lara Maigue, Bituin Escalante, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Baihana, as well as OJ Mariano, Arman Ferrer, Gab Pangilinan, and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (still just a shortlist of those who have made the Philippines a global vocal powerhouse) brought the house down with songs from various local and foreign musicals along with classic tunes by George Canseco, Willy Cruz, and Ryan Cayabyab.

Nicole Asensio, Bituin Escalante, and Lara Maigue

But all of this, as well as the recognition given to the various personalities who had a hand in the restoration efforts of the MET, harkened to the past, some more distant than others. But just like what the MET hymn says, there is now the task of moving forward with the theater up and running once again. The future holds a lot of promise since the recently staged/streamed Lapulapu, Ang Datu ng Mactan, the first theatrical production from the newly restored MET, is a new work. This, along with whatever comes out soon, will shape the future of the MET as the countdown now begins for its 100th anniversary celebrations a decade from now. 

Directed by Dexter Santos, written by Adriana Agcaoili, music direction by Krina Cayabyab, and choreography by Stephen Viñas, Tanghalang Metropolitan 2021: Pagpupugay sa Tanghalang Bayan will be streamed online on December 12, 2021, 6:00 PM at the Metropolitan Theater Facebook Page.