Is it goodbye? Nope, Never Forget.
(Or: "Remembering Capitol Theatre in Escolta, Manila")
Despite numerous protests, proposals, and everything meant to preserve this timeless edifice from the past, this one of a kind neighbor in old Manila was dealt the final death blow some weeks ago.
Located along the stretches of Calle Escolta in Binondo, Manila. This prewar art deco edifice was designed by National Artist Juan Nakpil. And it was known for its first-class status, where Filipinos got a taste of local and foreign films as well as live-production acts, with a total seating capacity of 800, fully air-conditioning units, and a double balcony, which by that time was rare.
It was 2017 when news surfaced that the iconic theatre will be converted into a high-rise residential building, and it was actually given the go-sgnal by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the National Museum with the condition that one part of the structure, if not a facade, was to be retained and included in the proposed building, especially the featured bas-relief sculpture by renowned Italian expatriate sculptor Francesco Monti. The sculpture featured Filipina muses—one holding a mask to represent theater, and the other holding a lyre to represent music. The lobby, which boasted of a mural by Filipino modernist Victorio Edades, was also demolished.
During its completion in 1935, Escolta was a booming centre of business, commerce, and entertainment as financial institutions, theatres, commercial establishments, and others were built in its way. It was basically known as the Philippines' counterpart of New York's Times Square, if not China's own Shanghai Bund as Americans transformed Manila from a Spanish-era town into a modern-day city.
When Manila was ravaged after the Second World War, much of the prewar structures were devastated, including the Capitol. Though it was restored as any other neighbouring prewar structure, this theatre, like others within the district, was affected by the developments in the subrubs, that includes the rising presence of cinema houses in Malls. With these "developments", the theatre was eventually closed to the public, and left to decay decades after.
It is quite saddening for like any other structures started to get lost through time and thus becoming an opportunity for its demise, efforts to preserve are either fall into deaf ears or treated as empty promises by those who "swore" to revive Manila from being forgotten. Laws like the Heritage Act RA10066 stated that architectural icons over 50 years old are to be protected. But did it block those who wanted to destroy for the sake of "high-rise" developments with profit as its agenda?
Of course developers would speak of cases regarding heritage preservation such as the Luneta Hotel in Ermita, Laperal in University Belt, and the old San Miguel-built Coca Cola plant in Paco; but how about the old Magnolia in Echague? And today's Capitol in Escolta? For sure its apologists would use the "Facadism" card as a "tribute" to its past, even it affects the structure's integrity, authenticity, and historicity. Worse, rather shrugging it off altogether like in the case of Locsin's Mandarin Ortiental and Hotel Intercontinental in Makati, Carlos Palanca Mansion along Taft Avenue, and the 1936 Meralco Head Office in San Marcelino, Manila. These were eye catching and worthy of preservation, but it all end destroyed by the wrecking ball of interest with "development" for a reason.
There were even proposals in transforming Capitol into a mixed space by some concerned architecture students, keeping the structure while making some major interior changes enough to make relevance alongside Escolta reviving as an arts and culture district. But these were rather treated academically.
For sure people will just say "move on" for this, accepting that much of Manila's grandeur will remain in the past with nostalgia pages churning photos and reminisces, but for a concerned, this cannot be forgotten, what more having the will to oppose this kind of measure.
All in all, this note, like others concerned, expressed heartbrokeness after losing one of the structures that "what makes Manila, Manila."
Can't say "goodbye" for this, but instead, Never Forget.