CAPITOL THEATRE

The Capitol Theater was designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil in 1935. It is one of the few newly airconditioned theaters in Manila, and has two balcony levels. Juan Nakpil commissioned another national artist Victorio Edades to do a mural for the lobby. By 2008, only the facade remains, the rest of the theatre which was being used as a restaurant has been demolished. During the Japanese Occupation, the theatre was host to productions and shows as the local movie industry was non-existent. One of the more prominent producers then was Fernando Poe, Sr.

DETAILS. . .

Upper half of the facade. Only the letters I and T are left of the words that spell CAPITOL. During the Japanese Occupation, the theatre was host to productions and shows as the local movie industry was non-existent. In fact, one of the more prominent producers then was Fernando Poe, Sr. (Source: Emil Jurado

The theatre, having been built in the 1930s, reflects the architectural style that was the rave in Manila during that period - Art Deco. Here, one can appreciate the combination of strong lines and graceful curves that make up most of the theatre's facade.

THE MAIN TOWER. Still majestic after all these years.

Closeup of the iron detailing of the main tower.

The facade sports a chinese character that must have been part of its history as having a restaurant at the ground floor. The theatre seated 800 (Source: cinematreasures.org) and has two balconeys

One of the two Filipinized muses that adorn the facade of the main tower. Note how the pleats of her terno fold carefully on top of each other. It's a mixture of masculinity (strong lines) and feminity (smooth curves). This particular muse is holding a mask...

while the other is playing the lyre. Note the detailing around and below the bas relief.

REGINA BUILDING

Facing the Art Deco Perez-Samanillo Building, in graceful white Beaux-Arts architecture is the Regina Building . Built in 1934 also attributed to Juan Lunas son - Andres Luna de San Pedro, it was originally designed as a three-storey commercial building. When the de Leon family bought the building from the Roxases, a fourth floor was added by architect Fernando Ocampo -founder of theUST College of Architecture.

The senate staff of the late Senator Vicente Madrigal(grandfather of Ms. Jamby Madrigal) rented a suite in Regina Building while on the same floor across the hall was the officeMadrigal Shipping, then the worlds largest tramp steamship company. Like giant sentinels, the Perez-Samanillo and Regina buildings stood the test of time guarding the Sta. Cruz entrance of Escolta. It is said that the Regina is one of the first examples of structures built with reinforced concrete - something the Americans introduced in these earthquake-prone islands. Along with the nearby building, the equally beautiful Perez-Samanillo Building, the Regina was designed as a three-floor affair by Andres Luna de San Pedro t

A site across describes the Regina as Art Deco. The lettering of the name, however, is definitely Roman and is characteristic of the Neo-classical styles which count, among others, the Manila Central Post Office, the National Museum, and the Finance and Tourism buildings at both ends of the Agrifina Circle. When Filipino architects were studing in the US in the 1930s, the trend was starting to veer away from this style towards Art Deco. The Regina is a quite an interesting mixture of these two styles.

DETAIL SPOT PICTURES

The entrance protruding at the corner of the building

Close up Art Deco curves, style and design detail

Posts design as seen from the side facing the estero.

Repetitive design in between posts.

The hallways. We notice that it has heigh ceiling. So it let air pass easily into into interior

The warm Sunday sun bathes the external ground floor hallways.

This hallway ends on Escolta. Posts were made from concrete arcs.

Left faade of Regina Building with glass windows patterned from arcs

The Corinthian columns, intricated design details and ornaments with its plain white color gives a simple yet splendid appearance to the building itself.

Regina building from right elevation of facade

Shot from right eleavtion

As you can see, business establishments were settled on the lower grounds of the building

We noticed that the original beauty of the building is deteriorated by these airconditioner systems, some windows were also ruined because of these things.