 The first cartoon featuring Mickey Mouse in the Philippines was screened in the theater and the first film of LVN Pictures, "Giliw Ko" premiered in the theater on July 29, 1939, a screening attended by then-President Manuel Quezon.It was still active during the Japanese occupation showing support even for the guerrilla underground.The MET was once the home of the Manila Symphony Orchestra but they refused to perform there during the occupation, prompting the Japanese to make the "New Philippines Symphony Orchestra".