Cinema Centenario announced on Wednesday that they are shutting down for good after being forced to cease their business operations due to the stricter safety protocols brought by the pandemic.
The micro-cinema in Maginhawa Street, Quezon City started their message with a heartfelt story of an old couple who got curious with their signage for most of the people hanging around Maginhawa thought Cinema Centenario was just another restaurant in the area with a cinema-themed interiors but upon entering, the old couple ended up watching “Apocalypse Child” and was impressed by the local film.
Before the pandemic, Cinema Centenario shows Philippine-made movies and their viewers would get to experience watching films that are usually not shown on mainstream cinemas.
“Itong moments na ganito ‘yung nagva-validate na tama ang desisyon namin na buksan ang ating Tahanan, ang Cinema Centenario. Ang magprovide ng ‘home’ para sa mga lokal na pelikula at karatig-bansa para sa development ng lokal na audience. Marami tayong magagandang pelikula, kailangan lang ng accessible na venue para mapanood ang mga ito,” they said in their post.
As they bid farewell to their avid supporters, they explained that a big factor on deciding to close the ‘home of the best Filipino-made movies’ is the “safety and sustainability” since cinemas are one of the most badly affected establishments since the outbreak.
“Nagbabago ang panahon at may mga pagkakataong hindi natin inaasahang darating. 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. Hindi ito naging madali para sa amin,” they said.
“Kahit payagan pang magbukas ang mga sinehan, it won’t work sa aming kinalalagyan. 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. At sana, manatili rin ang inyong suporta sa kung saan man kami magpunta. Uncertain pa kung ano ang hatid ng ‘New Normal.’ But we will move forward sa patuloy na pagdevelop ng Pelikulang Pilipino even beyond its centennial celebration,” they added.
Cinema Centenario soon thanked the different organizations who worked with them, their neighbors, and the community that was eventually built on their love of local films.
