Past Forward: The Manila Hotel, revisited

MANILA, Philippines - Living abroad for the past five years and counting has made me very nostalgic towards things and places that embody that certain Filipino element. I guess this fondness for symbols of national pride is a feeling that is inexplicably roused within every expatriate longing to hold tight every memory of home.

This phenomenon is most evident in my quest to be updated with what is happening back in our beloved country – whether it’s about the latest political brouhaha or showbiz gossip – and of course, my efforts in learning how to cook (a mean feat in itself, having no previous experience whatsoever!) Pinoy comfort food that takes me back to my mom’s kitchen with every bite.

Apart from rediscovering patriotism after being away from the country for half of my twenty-something life, I have also found delight in recalling the most interesting facets of our history, some of which I can associate with episodes of my childhood, making it all the more close to my heart.

As pre-school children, a weekend excursion back then would mean a trip to Luneta, or Rizal Park as it is now more formally known. Our days spent playing there were immortalized in many a photograph that would rival today’s Instagram snaps.

Driving back, I remember passing by Manila Hotel and marveling at its imposing façade, its name written in elegant cursive script that has become its trademark symbol.

This year, Manila Hotel will be celebrating a hundred years of being a living testimonial to the evolution of Philippine history. Time does fly, indeed, and one would definitely be eager to hear all the stories that every nook and cranny of this establishment can tell.

Colonial centerpiece

ICON: The façade of the old Manila Hotel.

From day one, The Manila Hotel was destined for greatness as the bastion of Philippine heritage. Renowned city planner Daniel Hudson Burnham, who had built the Union Station and the post office in Washington, had envisioned a tree-lined boulevard along the Manila Bay area. The plan included a magnificent hotel to dominate the area, which was then carried out by New York architect William Parsons. Parsons designed an impressive, California-missionary style building which was soon fondly called the “Address of the Prestige.”

The hotel provides grand vistas of the surrounding harbor, the ruins of Intramuros, the fortress of Corregidor, and other nearby historical landmarks along Roxas Boulevard. Situated right at the center of Manila Bay, the hotel also serves as the ideal vantage point to catch a view of the fabled Manila sunset.

The inauguration of The Manila Hotel on the 4th of July in 1912 served as the climax of festivities for that year.

Historians have attested that The Manila Hotel was the most modern hotel in Asia at the time it opened its doors to the public. It quickly became a testament to American modernism in architecture and served as the hub of a new tourism district.

Since its grand opening, The Manila Hotel has lived through – among other significant events in the country’s history – two world wars, the formation of a new Philippine Republic, the rise and fall of a dictatorship, and two People Power revolutions.

As one of the few Philippine landmarks that has been witness to the progress and instability of the 20th and 21st centuries, The Manila Hotel has had its share of renowned guests – from political figures to movie stars – from all over the world.

US Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson and John F. Kennedy stayed there, together with other dignitaries and world leaders.

Michael Jackson graces the annual orphans’ Christmas party in 1996 (far left). The hotel is known for its elegant interiors, evident in the lobby (left) and the MacArthur living room (below left).

Stars such as Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., Marlon Brando, and even King of Pop Michael Jackson made the hotel their home during their stay in the country. British pop sensation The Beatles stayed there in 1966, when they had their first and only concert in Manila.

Perhaps the ultimate proof of the unforgettable impression that The Manila Hotel gave its visitors lies in a quote from one of the world’s greatest writers, Ernest Hemingway, who was once a guest at the Grand Dame.

“It is a good story if it’s like Manila Hotel,” he said, perhaps alluding to the countless colorful tales within the hotel’s walls.

‘Living Legacy’

This year, Manila Hotel will mark its centennial in the same tradition of style and sophistication with which it started and has been known for since its inauguration.

The celebration will commence with a grand Centennial Ball on July 4, 2012. The highlights of the event will include the unveiling of Manila Hotel’s centennial logo, a 3D video mapping projection showcasing the hotel’s history, and a grand ball featuring performances by Filipino artists.

History buffs are certainly in for a treat, as a 20-piece exhibition featuring the hotel’s most important artifacts and memorabilia will be on display during the event.

As a special treat to its patrons, The Manila Hotel will be offering discounted room rates and will be organizing a series of exciting events to mark the entire anniversary campaign.

With its history intertwined with that of our country, The Manila Hotel can indeed be hailed as the living symbol of Philippine culture at its finest.

I’m coming back home for a brief vacation and I am definitely proud that I will be able to celebrate a landmark that not only offers state-of-the-art interiors, but also an unrivaled heritage that transcends the evolution of Philippine society.