Maginhawa's Cinema Centenario announces permanent closure
Cinema Centenario, the well-loved alternative theater known for screening the best Filipino-made films in the country, announced its permanent closure amid the pandemic.
Opened in 2017, the pioneering micro-cinema located at Maginhawa Street, the food and art hub of Quezon City, made the announcement in a heartfelt post on Facebook on Wednesday evening.
The sad news was preceded by a story of an elderly couple finding a “home” at the venue during its first week of operations.
“Nagbabago ang panahon at may mga pagkakataong hindi natin inaasahang darating,” it said, referring to the pandemic which has forced cinemas and other venues for public gatherings and entertainment to close down.
“After more than 200 days ng aming pagsasara buhat ng pandemic, nais naming magpaalam dahil tuluyan na naming isasara ang pinto ng ating Tahanan sa Maginhawa,” it added.
According to the team behind the pioneering micro-cinema, the decision to permanently close the theater was due to restrictions brought on by “new normal” guidelines.
“Hindi ito naging madali para sa amin. Malaking factor sa aming desisyon ang safety and sustainability, kahit payagan pang magbukas ang mga sinehan, it won't work sa aming kinalalagyan,” the group said.
Known for showing Filipino indie flicks, foreign films, and timeless Pinoy classics, the 65-seat theater provided an intimate movie-viewing experience reminiscent of school film showings or private home theatres.
Pre-pandemic, the cinema was popular with the student crowd from nearby universities, as well as residents of the area, with film screenings often running past midnight. With social distancing requirements and curfews still in place, operations just don’t seem viable in the near future.
“Hindi biro ang safety concerns na hatid ng pandemyang ito kaya umabot kami sa desisyong ito. Manatili po sana tayong ligtas at healthy sa lahat ng pagkataon."
Read the full statement here:
The news was met with an outpouring of sadness and thanks from patrons, with many sharing memorable moments of the movies they watched and photos of the cinema’s signature vintage-style tickets on various social media channels.
In the same statement, Cinema Centenario asked fans for their support as they make steps to “Moov” forward to a digital platform to promote the future for Philippine cinema.
“With the changing times and the uncertainties of the new normal, MOOV aims to create a multi-sectoral online community of movie lovers,” reads a statement on their official website. The site is currently offering three films for free streaming: Alingawngaw (2015), Ang mga Bulong sa Bituka ng Sta. Mesa (2015) and Santa Nena! (2017).
(Artwork by Tricia Mae Valenzuela from Cinema Centenario)
