Isetann Cinerama Recto

Isetann Cinerama Recto is a shopping mall and cinema complex in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines. It occupies a historically significant site at the corner of C.M. Recto Avenue, Quezon Boulevard, and Evangelista Street. The property is associated with the earlier Roman Super Cinerama, a large and technologically notable theater that operated on the site from the 1960s until it was destroyed by fire in the late 1970s. Roman Super Cinerama was built in 1964 on a portion of the former Estero de Quiapo. It was owned by the Roman and Rojas families and was promoted as one of the Philippines’ most luxurious cinemas. Historical accounts describe it as the first building in the country to use an escalator and the first to feature carpeting. Its wide-screen auditorium had seating for approximately 1,500 people and was described as exceptionally large for its time. The theater was eventually destroyed by a fire attributed to faulty wiring. The ruined theater was demolished in 1981. The Roman and Rojas families subsequently sold the property to Isetann in 1985, enabling the development of a shopping mall intended to compete in Manila’s expanding large-format retail market. Construction was affected by political unrest and major public demonstrations in the surrounding area, including the events associated with the 1986 People Power Revolution. The January 1987 Mendiola massacre, which occurred nearby and resulted in the deaths of 13 people, caused another delay. Although the project was initially expected to open in 1987, construction was completed later and the mall officially opened in April 1988. Isetann revived the Cinerama name as part of the new complex’s identity. Since opening, the location has also served as Isetann’s headquarters, following the company’s move from its former Carriedo headquarters. The Carriedo site continued operating as an outlet. The Recto complex has combined general retail with cinema entertainment and small-shop tenancy, making it a recognizable commercial location in central Manila. In 1994, the mall hosted a short concert by six-year-old Sarah Geronimo, who later became a prominent Filipino singer and performer. The mall faced a regulatory closure in October 2019. Manila officials cited discrepancies in the declared business area, questions concerning the reported number of employees, and business-permit problems involving entities associated with the property and its management. Officials also raised concerns about the operation of four cinemas under Cineworld Cinerama Inc. when only one cinema permit was reportedly held. The city further connected the enforcement action to its prohibition on the sale of second-hand mobile phones and warnings against premises allegedly accommodating sellers of stolen devices. Isetann Cinerama Recto reopened on October 11, 2019, after resolving the permit issues and settling a tax deficiency. The reported payment was two million Philippine pesos under Manila’s tax-amnesty framework; the city had previously stated that the broader unpaid-tax liability was four million pesos, with penalties waived under the amnesty arrangement. The mall also agreed to stop allowing sales of second-hand mobile phones. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate corporate owner, current executive roster, or official website for the location.

The site of Isetann Cinerama Recto was historically associated with Roman Super Cinerama, a theater built in 1964 on a portion of the former Estero de Quiapo in Manila. Owned by the Roman and Rojas families, the theater was regarded as a premier entertainment venue. It was described as the first building in the Philippines with an escalator and the country’s first carpeted cinema. Its approximately 1,500-seat auditorium and wide screen made it unusually ambitious for its era. Roman Super Cinerama was destroyed by a fire in the late 1970s, reportedly caused by faulty wiring. The remains were demolished in 1981. In 1985, the Roman and Rojas families sold the property to Isetann, which planned a shopping mall on the site. The project was part of the company’s response to the growth of large shopping centers in Metro Manila, including the development of the first SM Supermall at North EDSA. Construction was delayed by political protests and instability in the surrounding area. The People Power Revolution in 1986 contributed to the postponement, while the Mendiola massacre of January 22, 1987, caused a further interruption. The mall was initially expected to open in September 1987, but construction resumed only after the period of unrest. The structure was completed in December 1987 and opened to the public in April 1988. Isetann restored the Cinerama name in the new mall, creating the identity now known as Isetann Cinerama Recto or Isetann Recto. The complex became Isetann’s headquarters after the company left its earlier Carriedo headquarters, although the Carriedo location continued as an operating outlet. The Recto property developed as a mixed retail and entertainment center with stores, concessions, and cinema facilities. A documented cultural event at the mall was a short 1994 concert by six-year-old Sarah Geronimo. In October 2019, Manila authorities ordered the mall closed. The Bureau of Permits cited a misrepresentation of the actual business area and questionable employee figures. Officials also stated that the shopping center was registered under Tri-Union Properties, which had leased stalls and spaces without the required business permits, while Trans-Orient Management Services Inc. was said not to have a valid existing permit for mall management. The authorities further reported that four cinemas were managed by Cineworld Cinerama Inc. even though only one cinema permit was held. The enforcement action occurred alongside Manila’s effort to prohibit the sale of second-hand mobile phones and to prevent the sale of stolen goods. City officials warned that transactions involving stolen property could fall under the Philippine Anti-Fencing Law. Isetann’s property management agreed to stop permitting second-hand mobile-phone sales. The mall reopened on October 11, 2019, after settling a reported two-million-peso tax deficiency and obtaining the necessary permits. The city had stated that the broader unpaid-tax amount was four million pesos, but the payable amount was reduced through Manila’s tax-amnesty program, under which penalties were waived after payment of the basic tax. Available reference material does not provide reliable information about later redevelopment, current ownership, or a separate leadership team for the mall.

• 2019

  Closure and reopening

  [1]Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org

  The mall was closed by Manila authorities over tax, permit, registration, and second-hand mobile-phone-sale concerns, then reopened after payment and compliance.

• 1994

  Sarah Geronimo performs at the mall

  [1]Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org

  Six-year-old Sarah Geronimo gave a short concert at the complex.

• 1988

  Isetann Cinerama Recto opens

  [1]Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org

  The completed mall officially opened in April and revived the Cinerama name.

• 1987

  Construction resumes after delays

  [1]Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org

  Construction, delayed by political unrest and the Mendiola massacre, resumed and the building was topped out during the year.

• 1985

  Isetann acquires the property

  [1]Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org

  The Roman and Rojas families sold the former theater property to Isetann for redevelopment as a shopping mall.

• 1981

  Former theater site is demolished

  [1]Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org

  The remains of Roman Super Cinerama, destroyed by a fire in the late 1970s, were demolished.

• 1964

  Roman Super Cinerama opens

  [1]Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org

  A major theater known as Roman Super Cinerama opened on the site and became associated with several early cinema and building innovations in the Philippines.

A centrally located Manila shopping and entertainment complex rooted in the legacy of the former Roman Super Cinerama and serving mass-market retail, small-shop tenancy, and cinema audiences.

• Retail · 1988

  General merchandise retail

  The mall’s principal offering is a general retail environment rather than a single branded product line. Its shopping areas accommodate everyday merchandise and independent or affiliated stalls serving customers in the central Manila market.

• Entertainment · 1988

  Cinerama cinemas

  Cinema entertainment is a defining part of the complex’s identity, continuing the site’s association with Roman Super Cinerama. In 2019, officials stated that four cinemas were managed by Cineworld Cinerama Inc., while the property held a permit for only one cinema.

• 2019

  Compliance response to Manila closure orderOther

  Background

  City authorities cited tax deficiencies, missing or improper business permits, inconsistencies in declared business areas, cinema-permit issues, and concerns about second-hand mobile-phone sales.

  Action taken

  The mall settled the reported tax deficiency, secured the required permits, and agreed to stop allowing the sale of second-hand mobile phones.

  Aftermath

  Isetann Cinerama Recto reopened on October 11, 2019.

  Tax payment under Manila tax-amnesty arrangement. PHP 4,000,000 reported unpaid-tax liability → PHP 2,000,000 reported settlement (2019)

  Source

• 1985

  Redevelopment of the former cinema site as a mallStrategy

  Background

  Isetann acquired the former Roman Super Cinerama property during the expansion of large-format retail in Metro Manila.

  Action taken

  The company developed a shopping and entertainment complex while retaining the historic Cinerama name.

  Aftermath

  The resulting mall opened in April 1988 and became Isetann’s headquarters.

  Source

1. 1Isetann Cinerama Rectoen.wikipedia.org