Vision Theater
Before and after.
Built in the 1920s, Vision Theater was formerly the San Miguel Hotel, Bar and Grill.
As a theater, it was one of the biggest and most popular in pre-war Cebu. Falling into disuse through the years as several other theaters opened in other parts of the city, this rundown building is now home to a billiard hall and several shops selling various stuff including pirated DVDs. A fire recently struck a certain part of the building but fortunately left the building as a whole undamaged.
Nude sculptures at the pediment rendered by Dante Guidetti.
The building after the war. Notice that an extension has already been built at the back to house a theater (Photo from an unnamed source on the internet).
April 5th, 2011 at 6:37 am
Hello, Karl: I live in Durham, North Carolina, USA. I’ve recently been reading about the defense of Cebu in April 1942 in “The Wainwright Papers,” Vol. III, edited by Celedonio Ancheta. A report by the Military Police commander in Cebu states that the Vision Theater served as a “message center” for the USAFFE forces until the Japanese landed on 10 April 1942. It was manned largely by college students.
I found your site as I was seeking photos of Cebu City, especially photos of the city and port as it was in 1941-42. I’d enjoy seeing more wartime photos of Cebu on your site. Do you know of any other sites that would have such photos posted? Or photo collections that are not posted?
I’ve never had the opportunity to visit the Philippines but hope to do so one of these years.
I’d like to invite you to sample a blogsite about historic Durham architecture and its preservation — it’s quite well done, as is your site. I hope you’ll continue blogging. Cut and paste:
http://endangereddurham.blogspot.com/
Best wishes,
Edison McIntyre
Durham NC USA
June 16th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Hi Edison, I know of no other site that posts vintage photos especially during WWII. Thanks anyway for visiting this site. Cheers.