Postal Heritage Tour

Do you still remember the last time you received a snail mail? How about the last time you saw a postage stamp? Have you heard of the Metropolitan Theater in Manila?

On this new generation, I doubt if the juveniles of this period were familiar of these things. Because of the entry of digital and automation, mails and stamps were somehow been set aside and has been replaced by these so called electronic mail, instant messaging and social networking sites to name a few.

Also with the inevitable rise of malls, malls and malls in Metro Manila, we tend to forget to rediscover the history and visit the important landmarks in the cities of Metro Manila.

Few months ago, after a weekend getaway in Batangas with my friends we went straight to Manila and joined the Postal Heritage Free Guided Tour.

The assembly time is at 1:00 AM at Liwasang Bonifacio fountain area.

The tour started with some introductions then followed by a getting-to-know-each-other sort of things. Our guide was Lawrence Chan of Filipino Stamp Collectors Club.

Manila Post Office. The Manila Post Office is the central post office of the city of Manila, Philippines. It is the head office of the Philippine Postal Corporation, and houses the country's main mail sorting-distribution operations. - wikipedia.com

Did you know that this building will soon become a luxury hotel? A Singaporean hotel operation, Fullerton Hotel, is said to be in talks with the Philippine government for the possible conversion of this 86-year-old neoclassical post office building into a 5-star hotel. 

It is said that the reason behind this was the government wants to boost the tourism in the area. The possible development will help the neighboring landmarks like Intramuros, Manila Metropolitan Theater and Liwasang Bonifacio.

Whatever the reason it may be, I hope Fullerton Hotel maintain the looks and structure of the building and its historical ambiance.

We entered inside the post office building.

There's an on-going postage stamps auction. I think it was my first time in my life to see such auction.

After awhile, we were toured around the exhibit and discussed about the various postage stamps on display. Oh my goodness, its history! I have to admit, me and some of my companions didn't join the discussion about the postage stamps exhibit and had decided to go out and look for a place to chill.

After an hour or so, the tour inside the post office has ended. We now again joined the guided tour continuing at Metropolitan Theater.

Manila Metropolitan Theater. Before the rise of malls in Metro Manila, there's the Metropolitan Theater located on Padre Burgos Avenue, near the Manila Central Post Office.

"The Manila Metropolitan Theater or MET is an art deco building designed by the Filipino architect Juan M. Arellano, and inaugurated on December 10, 1931, with a capacity of 1670 (846 orchestra, 116 in loge, and 708 in balcony).During the liberation of Manila by the United States and Filipino forces in 1945, the theatre was severely damaged, losing some of its roofing and walls battered. After reconstruction by the Americans it gradually fell into disuse in the 1960s. In the following decade it was meticulously restored in 1978 but again fell into decay." - wikipedia.com

I always see this building before passing through the bridge going to Quiapo but never been gotten inside of it. It is said that this building is haunted because of being abandoned for many years now. I didn't know why they stopped using this building but from what I've read it is because of its condition which has been deteriorated due to several factors. In 1996, the theater fell into decay and closed down due to a long-running dispute between the Government Service Insurance System and the City of Manila over its ownership and management.

As you walked inside you'll see the walls are vanishing its color and the ceiling are falling apart.

The hallways are now dimmed with lights only coming from the outside. The rooms are dark with some things left out on it. There are old paraphernalia which shows some events and celebrations held here.

The theater played host to vaudevilles, zarzuelas, performances and other theater entertainment by world re known artists.

It is also said that the popular variety television show hosted by Ms. Vilma Santos was also held here during the 80s and 90s.

We roamed the entire theater until we reached the top of it. A veranda wherein you can have a glimpse of the sunset in Manila.

Every sculptures and design of this building connotes a story and interpretation.

Being built years from now, the history of the Manila Metropolitan Theater made its way to be referred as the grand dame of Manila's Theater.

There are talks that Metropolitan Theater will be restored soon.

The tour ended after sunset. Some of the joiners still made their way to the Arroceros Forest Park as the last stop of the guided tour while me and my companions stopped from here and went to Binondo for dinner.

My deepest gratitude to Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club in their cooperation with Philpost, Museo ng Maynila, Intramuros Administration, National Press Club, Winners Foundation and Department of Education for providing us a free Postal Heritage Guided Tour.

If you would also like to join this tour, you may contact Filipinas Stamp Collector's Club or the following persons listed below. The free tour is schedule every third Sunday of the month.

Here are the schedules of the free walking tour for the coming months:

June 17, 2012- (fully booked)

July 15, 2012 - (tentative waiting for entry permit in Philpost and MET) but the public can book for a slot.

Mrs. Josie Tiongson – Cura 

0917-9800708 / 735-5001

Monday to Saturday 1pm to 5pm only

Ms. Nena De Guzman 

527-0096

Postal Museum and Library

Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm only for parking instruction.

Mr. Lawrence Chan

0919-3901671

Email:L_rence_2003@yahoo.com