Art deco theater in Malabon

In 1940, an impressive theater opened in Concepcion, Malabon, designed in art deco style by Pablo S. Antonio, much later named National Artist for Architecture. It was Cine Concepcion, perhaps the only air-conditioned movie house outside Manila at that time, owned by Dr. and Mrs. Pedro B Cruz.

Dakilang pagbubukas ng Cine Concepcion, the inaugural event was billed.

The initial film shown was Sampaguita Pictures’ Katarungan, starring Rogelio de la Rosa, Lota Delgado and Gregorio Fernandez, who also directed the picture. It was followed by Acne Films’ Huling Pagluha, with Carlos Padilla and Rosita Rivera (grandmother of Dina Bonnevie).

In downtown Manila, the art deco theaters were Times, Life, Lyric, Capitol, Avenue, Scala — sadly demolished now or badly neglected.

Is this also the fate of Cine Concepcion? — RKC