How to manage the ‘people’s theater’
Christian John “CJ” S. Serrano, chief administrative officer (CAO) of The Metropolitan “MET” Theater in Manila, gives credit to two institutions for his professional and personal growth as an individual: Far Eastern University (FEU), and UST Central Seminary.
“It’s from FEU that I learned to become more independent because from preschool until high school I was studying in a private Catholic school that was near my place,” CJ said. “I also gained new friends while frequenting Freedom Park [FEU Plaza].”
His training at the seminary has also proven useful in CJ’s management of the “internal operations and administrative support functions” of the MET. He regularly calls everyone in his team for a colloquium especially before their performance evaluation.
During these colloquia, CJ said, “We do not just talk about the profession. Sometimes we talk about the personal. These conversations matter.”
Career path
Before entering the seminary, CJ put up a food business that soon grew into four stores.
“After 10 years in the seminary, I was ordained a deacon,” CJ said. “I was assigned to different parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila. During the [COVID-19] pandemic I served in four [of these].”
He was tasked to implement outreach work. Young people pitched in. “The parish priests helped me too.”
A year into the pandemic, CJ sought permission from the Vatican to be let off from the clergy. “I met a lot of challenges in the ministry and my personal life—that’s why I asked the Pope [for dispensation from my ministerial duties].”
At the time, a friend of his was project manager of the MET. “He learned that I needed a job, a transitional job. Even the bishop [had urged me] to detach myself from the Church.”
His friend hired CJ first as a theater archivist and next as visitor services officer.
“My responsibility involved booking. Unfortunately, the MET was still under conservation, so [there were not many] clients,” CJ said.
From the ranks
He said the administration of the MET, which is a government institution in the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is not so different from his parish work.
“We have to manage not just the people but also the heritage building [itself],” CJ said. Thankfully, he said again, his experience in FEU and UST Central Seminary had equipped and prepared him for his current profession.
Other than his work experience, he had to pass the Career Service Executive Eligibility of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as he had “aimed for an executive and managerial position.” His deaconship, however, was converted by CSC as his supervisorial experience—another criterion for the position.
“I have three section heads,” CJ said—programming, administration, and operations. “I always consult them when I have to decide for the office.”
“I do not see them as my subordinates, but as [team members],” CJ said. “I value their [points of view].” He gives importance to team effort, CJ added.
Being a member of the NCCA management committee, CJ regularly meets at their main office in Intramuros—sometimes with heads of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Archives, National Historical Commission, National Library, National Museum, and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (Commission on the Filipino Language).
Culture and the arts
“The thrust of the MET or the tagline that we are using is Tanghalan ng Bayan [Theater of the People]. Since we are not a profit organization, we readily give access to the public,” CJ said.
He added that “Kasaysayan sa MET [History at the MET]” is their flagship cultural and educational program while “’Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino’ is a regular free public film screening program every third Sunday of the month in collaboration with the Film Development Council in the Philippines.”
He cited Boy Abunda’s contribution as Ambassador of the MET. “He was one of the employees of the then Metropolitan Theater Company when it was not yet under the government.” Boy does not collect fees for his services to the MET, CJ revealed.
“There’s no off-season [for us] because all year round, we are accepting [booking for] events,” he said. “We open [the MET] for rent to government agencies and other institutions.”
Unlike other cultural centers, CJ said, the MET does not impose a dress code. “Come as you are” is their single category, he added. “Our mandate is to be the people’s theater. We [welcome audiences] from all walks of life.”
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