History of Dalisay Theater

In the ’50s, Dalisay Theater was known as the ‘Home of LVN Pictures,’ just as Life Theater was the ‘Home of Sampaguita Movies.’

Remember When? looks back at the history of Dalisay Theater, as published in the book by the late Vicente Salumbides, producer-director-actor.

In 1934, a group of movie-minded businessmen headed by Josefa Santamaria built the first theater on Rizal Ave. in downtown Manila on a land belonging to Doña Narcisa vda. de Leon, fondly called Doña Sisang. The condition was the owners of the building would not pay any rental on the land, but at the end of 20 years the structure would become the property of the landowner. It was named Fox Theater, where American films were exhibited.

The producers of local movies, among them Parlatone Hispano-Filipino and Filippine Films, found it necessary to have a first-class theater for Tagalog talkies. They chose Fox Theater, later renamed Dalisay.

During the Japanese Occupation, Dalisay became the venue for stage shows, featuring theater artists and screen luminaries.

At the end of 1951, the old building was demolished and a bigger and modern movie house was constructed which cost Doña Sisang almost half a million pesos. The new Dalisay Theater was inaugurated on Jan. 10, 1952, with a 1,012-seating capacity, becoming the ‘Home of LVN Pictures.’ The inaugural movie was Dimas, starring Rogelio de la Rosa and Lilia Dizon. — RKC