Capitol Theater

History

It was one of the first-run theaters in the whole Manila during the American Period. The war raged and
did not made any exception on Capitol Theater, it suffered severe damages and was completely restored
after the war. The Eastern Theatrical Enterprise then once again changed ownership through the hands
of the Rufino family until 1975. The Mayfair Theater Inc. bought the building during the mid1970s and
continued the business until early 2000. At the start of the millennium, the business began to decline
which put an end to the use of the theater. It was later revived on 1993 when it was planned to be a
Chinese Restaurant but sadly during the process of renovation it was put to a stop. The agreement was
put to an end on 2008 leaving the theater as it is. It was also the start of the theaters obsolescence.
Though small establishments are still operating in the building the main theater is closed down and
abandoned.

The street of business was also the center for entertainment to well - off families and elite personalities
of the city. The Capitol Theater and the Lyric Theater which was owned by the Eastern Theatrical
Enterprise of the Tuason Family, were one of the few first run theaters that were fully air-conditioned
and to have accessory such as an elevator. These theaters showed movies and live performances and
were known as an upscale stand - alone theaters. At the end of the 1970, modernization spread outside
the boundaries of Manila along with the commerce and businesses. Escolta businesses started to slow
down, began to dull and stagnate.

Its condition at the present is that the building itself is at the stage of decay and obsolescence. Its
ziggurat towers and detailed reliefs are covered with moss and dirt, its windows are either broken or
simply without glasses, the entrance gate with its symmetrical patterned grillworks is rusting as it keeps
the theater close for a period of time behind it the dark, lifeless and empty interiors of the theater can
be seen, a paradox to its lively shaped ornaments and details that was covered up with a tarpaulin that
has a digital replica of its known mural painting the Rising Philippines that was a collaboration of three
known Filipino Artists. Capitol Theater as perceived at the public realm reflects the street of Escolta, a
beauty that is enduring but may not last